Eurovision Semi Final 2 Review

Eurovision Semi Final 2 Review

The tension is definitely rising now, as we are just 24 hours away from knowing the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. Last night saw the last 18 countries compete for the final 10 spots remaining for Saturday nights extravaganza.

Surprisingly in my opinion, the opening act of this semi was just as good as yesterdays, with Oleksandr and Timur performing a number of Eurovision classics on traditional folk instruments. You've got to hand it to Ukraine for staying traditional, yet still entertaining!

Unlike yesterdays results, there were a few surprises and shocks with who qualified and who didn't. First of all, here's who I predicted to qualify:

1) Bulgaria

2) Hungary

3) Netherlands

4) Romania

5) Israel

6) Austria

7) Belarus

8) Norway

9) Estonia

10) Ireland

Again, 8/10 isn't bad at all, with only my last two qualifiers failing to make the final cut.

Estonia failing to qualify has been the biggest shock of the season so far, with other entries that in my opinion were no where near the quality of theirs managing to make it. It dumbfounds me to think that the juries would not elevate a song and performance like this, as it harks back to the old but gold days of Eurovision with the pixelated graphics and vintage sound, but it's also modern and has been a fan favourite since it's selection.

The only justification I can give to it's non qualification are the vocals, which from the start were not brilliant, but to be honest never really have been in live performances. A lack of experience and a true fanbase due to not being on the press tour could also have contributed to being low on the televote, but I think the biggest crime of all was the technical issue at the start of the song, where the first line was muted on Laura's mic, and only audible through the camera mics.

This, if heard through the in ears must have made everyone on stage pretty nervous, and could be the reason for the weak vocals. After the technical hitch, the track should have been stopped, and restarted, as they'd only sung the first line unlike in 2010, where Daniel Diges had already gotten more then halfway through his performance before the iconic stage invasion from Jimmy Jump happened.

If he is allowed to perform again, why shouldn't they?

I also predicted a qualification for Ireland, as I thought the juries would lap up his unique voice, and get behind this emotional ballad. Despite the song growing on me in recent days, the staging and camera angles lacked power and drama, and after he performed, I knew he would not qualify.

Does that hot air balloon go as far as Ireland?

Another huge shock of the night was Denmark actually making it through with Anja Nissen's "Where I Am"  a very standard power pop song with little to no impactful staging, which is what I thought the song would definitely need to scrape through. The only solution I can think of is the people voted for the reoccurring red dress, which thankfully Anja chose to wear over the 10 year old's sleepover pyjama bottoms she was going to wear.

Of course I can't forget Croatia, who very narrowly missed my list over Ireland, due to the absolute mess of a stage they had. I don't think I've ever been filled with confidence over a Croatian stage, but regardless of that, he slayed the vocals on the night and earned his spot in the final.

Despite not qualifying (or coming near to, for that matter) an honourable mention should go to Lithuania, who gave, in my opinion one of the best staged songs in Eurovision history, based on the song they had to work with, which was sadly one of the most disliked songs this year, yet still managed to get one of the best receptions of the evening from the crowd.

Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, ying yeah

Sticking the fingers to the crowd is not recommended

I honestly can't wait for the grand final on Saturday, when we will finally know the winner!