ScottyEm

If sticky carpets with bottles of VK had a soundboard...

I've only listened to the Italian entry, say, twice and I've now just listened to the 3 minute edit which sounds terrible. Not great given I'm not fluent even with the original mix. Doubt this will make much difference however

This is the joys of overthinking eh? I've blocked 2014 results from my memory. I get Italy as the winner for now, but we have a small handful of songs that could be propelled by captivating staging. My heart wants Belgium to clinch this as it would be so deserved, not least as they haven't won since 1986!

Yes to this. Australia aren't on point this year, maybe they genuinely think this will suffice as a potential winner?! Speaking of Cyprus, it seems to be just me who has this marked as a qualifier? Surprised at the muted response it's getting. It's not amazing, but easily good enough for the final?

On reflection, the staging for "hero' did have a sort-of corporate feel to it. I don't think it was 'out there' enough to pull in the votes (but, that aside, it's a total guilty pleasure for me). I get "I Can't Go On" is not not as monumental as "Euphoria" but the staging has such massive impact, it'll mask any ordinariness of the song. I just can't see it placing outside the top three especially in a relatively poor year. Italy, IMO will need to storm the televote to edge it. A tricky one to predict?

Wildly inaccurate you say? ;) Mind you, there's been a bit of noise made about Sweden potentially flopping (relative to Swedish standards) but I totally don't see it. I think this will win the Semi.

In no particular order: Semi 1 Australia Azerbaijan Belgium Sweden Portugal (could literally go either way) Armenia Cyprus Iceland (so long as they sort out the staging and styling) Latvia Poland (dyaspora and the song isn't COMPLETELY atrocious, so will probably sneak in) The token shock: realising Semi 1 is more competitive than previously thought, I think Greece may struggle again. I don't think the juries will be overly enthusiastic and it's too generic to pull in the televotes? Could be wrong... Semi 2 Denmark (total borderline though, it's generic as hell but will sneak in with it being a rather shoddy year) Hungary FYR Macedonia Romania Russia (jury may place this outside the top ten but televote will prop it upwards) Serbia Bulgaria Estonia (I hope... I can see this being a potential fanwank also) Israel Lithuania (dyaspora and a likely cleaned up version for Kiev will get it through) The token shock: Lithuania qualifying.

This. I think we will have a similar outcome to 2016. Italy is likely to win the televote but not the jury. I think this is too kitsch (crap) to win the jury vote? A law of averages will win this, which leads me to thinking either Belgium or Sweden have this in the bag.

This very much reminds me of those electro house tracks that were big in the late 00s. That ain't to say it's dated, it still feels current and those 80s electro clashes in the chorus are sublime. Surely they're qualifying this year?

Had I'm Like a Wolf made it, Lithuania would've been getting my 12. Oh well, this ain't bad, nice 90s funk vibe. Does need some work though.

Reading the reviews here but listening to it, it's not as bad as expected. Saying that, it's nowhere near as good as it thinks it is and it does border into dull territory. Given how stupendously brilliant Poli was last year, this is a disappointment.

I indeed hope this was something she wanted to do but it feels sort of cruel to be given such a poor, dated song. They'll still qualify and do ok in the final I think though.

Val is ready to nail that 16th place finish!

It was all a bit weird to see such a small gap between first and last place in the voting,so ultimately the juries had a lot more clout. I agree it would need reviewing. It surely must be gutting for Wiktoria, but a shrill song coupled with an unreliable vocalist, I was baffled it was a favourite in the first place. Robin is a far stronger package and I'm confident it's another solid top 5 finish in Kiev.

Well we can't deny it's lived up to its "revamp" rumour. I'm impressed.

This wasn't part of the plan?! BAH!

I am de-f***ing-lighted. Robin slays! Wiktoria predictably didn't live up to the hype.

Thank you Serbia - another goodie! I make that 3 successes on the trot now.

Getting the spelling of her name wrong does probably prove I'm somewhat disinterested in her song then. It's by no means the worst, i just think my "meh" attitude towards it is heightened by the fact there are better songs IMO. And to rub salt... I love Good Lovin. Although Ingrosso is the weakest link.

Robin would be fantastic. Nano would be satisfactory. Wictoria would be such a let down, it's so bloody shril and she can't hold a tune. She's likely to win the televote but I part-suspect the juries won't be enthralled? If she pips it, this would the second consecutive year that Sweden don't even come close to my top ten Eurovision.

Paper to win and kick some belated arse in May.

Sounds like something Sam Sparrow would've done, post first album. Yeah I'm board with this, it's on the right side of kitsch and it's clearly SAILING through to the final.

Belgium on point AGAIN.

Which means it'll be in my top ten - BY DEFAULT

It literally sounds like someone has had a go at making a song but not having an absolute clue on how to do it. I'd expect this in a Moldovan selection at best. I can see Greece missing out again for the second year running.