Semi Final 1 Delivers Surprises!

Well Well Well!

The first semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 has given us one of the most unpredictable semi finals since the new system came into place. The arena looked fantastic and the solid performances kept coming and coming. Each of the 19 nations did their all to gain a place in the final but only ten made it.....and at least half of them were a shock!

Turkey, Norway and Armenia.....tipped by many to be top 10 contenders all out. Albania a nation who always seems to make it through crashing out.

In their place strode the likes of Switzerland, rewarded for a brilliant effort from Anna Rosinelli who gave a stunning vocal performance to ensure she won over votes. The Icelandic folk track which struck a chord somewhere down the line. Georgia was not tipped by many to do much this year but Eldrine made it through in one of the nights biggest surprises and Nina staked her claim for a final spot with a classic retro track to take Serbia into the final. Lithuania had been massively overlooked in the build up to the contest and that brought a huge grin to my gave when Evelina made it through.

Add to the pack the obvious qualifiers in Greece, Finland, Russia, Azerbaijan and Hungary and the contest provided a great first semi final.

A really entertaining evening and more reaction to follow.

Eurovision Semi Final 1 Prediction!

Well the time is finally here, less than 24 hours remain until the first Semi Final in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Here are my predictions. In no particular

QUALIFIERS 

Norway

Stella has everything going right for her in this song. A good stage production, an upbeat boot and bound to raise a smile on voters and juries alike. A great carnival song for the Eurovision song contest and Stella Mwangi will fly Norway into the final.

Russia

A song being overlooked by bookmakers and pundits alike. A potential winner of the whole contest given how well Russia have done in previous years with bad songs, considering this year they have something upbeat and that has a good staging this will qualify and contend for victory.

Greece

One of the best performing ESC nations with perhaps one of their weakest songs in years but still should be enough to qualify especially with the good draw. An infectious chorus with a good vibe, this should see Greece make the final again.

Armenia

One of the nations due a Eurovision win, I did not take to this song at first but the crew have put together an awesome stage show and this will see the nation qualify again.

Turkey

For the first time in a number of years Turkey are not being talked about as possible winners. Whilst this rock number may only scrape into the Top 10 in the final it will see Turkey qualify again without doubt.

Azerbaijan

Another of the countries due an ESC win, this duo will qualify with this modern upbeat ballad and could be one of the countries challenging within the lower half of the top 10 come the final.

Finland

Subtle, appealing and vastly different to anything else on show in this semi final the great staging effects and subtle tones of this slow burner should win enough support to see it through to the final. 

Hungary

Massively overrated and will not be challenging for the title in the final but should qualify easily. A typical example of a fan favorite that will burn out come the night. Expect no higher than 7th in the final.

I see the above as definite qualifiers and this leaves a right old scrap for the final two places between.......

Albania - Usual qualifiers with powerful vocals on this one

Serbia - Different enough to stand out? Stylish, classy and stylish vocals!

Switzerland - Lovely modern ballad with catchy chorus

Iceland - The story behind the song may win votes, plus its catchy

Croatia - Cheesy, pop tastic and memorable. Could make it!

Georgia - Could well ease the rock tastes of europe.

Could go either way and it will be very interesting on the night. Malta, San Marino, Poland, Lithuania and Portugal have no chance of making it. Of those involved if forced to choose I would say Croatia and Albania. 

Hence to clarify, ESC Addict is predicting the following to qualify from Semi Final One -

• NORWAY
• RUSSIA
• TURKEY
• GREECE
• ARMENIA
• FINLAND
• HUNGRAY
• AZERBAIJAN
• CROATIA
• ALBANIA

ESC Addict hopes the following will qualify

• NORWAY
• RUSSIA
• TURKEY
• GREECE
• ARMENIA
• FINLAND
• HUNGRAY
• AZERBAIJAN
• SWITZERLAND
• SERBIA

UK Rehearsal - Worrying Times?

I was full of optimism in the run up to this years contest that my proud home nation, the good old United Kingdom, would do us proud and had in the back of my mind already started planning for the 2012 contest in London. Until I saw this....

Now this is what I call a buzz killer!

Blue took to the stage yesterday after a string of other nations had made stunning impression on the media and online fans the Eurovision Song contest 2011 in Dussledorf. But the reaction to Blue has been very negative. The UK remain third favorites with the bookmakers here and also are doing superbly well in the OGAE fan poll and will certainly be in a lot of peoples predictions for a top 5 placing but on this evidence much work needs to be done.

Lee Ryan and Anthony Costa are vocally awful here and the whole staging just looks wrong. The green is horribly bland and the pictures of the band members on the backgrounds is a massive letdown. I am terribly disappointed with this but hopefully the team will pull something together.