Finland: Krista Siegfrids - "We made history"!

One of the highlights of last nights contest was the lesbian kiss between Krista and one of her backing singers, to help equal marriage rights across Europe, but she's not disappointing about the final outcome. Krist'a been hitting headlines all week across the world because of the kiss.

I was actually quite shocked this didn't do better, thought she was going to make top ten to be honest but people didn't pick the phones up. Or maybe the jury was busy being bribed to vote for Azerbaijan - so they didn't have enough votes left for Krista. She's done her bit though and I applaud her for that!She wanted to make a statement and boy did she do that. Turkey didn't show the contest though because of the kiss. :-( This is what Krista said...

I'm happy I managed to help the equal marraige rights campaign and sexual equality in general. It is much more important than winning Eurovision. We made history!  The lesbian kiss may have cost us some votes but I don't regret it! I know some countries are much more conservative than we are"

#DINGDONG!

Azerbaijan: Vote rigging proven by a Lithuanian journalist!

Farid came second for Azerbaijan last night, with only Emmelie beating him, but this position wasn't because the song deserved it... more because the Azeri's brought votes.

More controversy coming from that side of the world, eh? It's not exactly shocking though as some countries have awarded them high marks year after year. Malta has "voted" for Azerbaijan loads of times over recent years. I've always thought there was a rat. A Lithuanian journalist recorded a meeting with persons offering just €20 to vote for a certain someone... It's all in Russian though. Will the EBU take action? Sadly I think that's very unlikely, look at the drama we had back in 2009... This could start more stuff emerging from countries such as Russia and Bulgaria - watch this space!

Here is the video.

Malmo 2013: Results from the semi-finals announced!

I love looking at these! Every year there are also some big surprises and the biggest surprise for me this year is that Slovenia came last in the semi final. Serbia and San Marinio came 11th in their semi finals. Apparently the Serbian press took the results the wrong way.

Several countries are calling for withdraw including Israel, San Marino and Bulgaria to name a few. Latvia came last in it's semi final, and rightly so! Here they are...

Semi-Final One!

1. Denmark – 167
2. Russia – 156
3. Ukraine – 140
4. Moldova – 95
5. Belgium – 75
6. Netherlands – 75
7. Belarus – 64
8. Ireland – 54
9. Lithuania – 53
10. Estonia – 52
11. Serbia – 46
12. Montenegro – 41
13. Croatia – 38
14. Austria – 27
15. Cyprus – 11
16. Slovenia – 8

Semi-Final Two!

1. Azerbaijan – 139
2. Greece – 121
3. Norway – 120
4. Malta – 118
5. Romania – 83
6. Iceland – 72
7. Armenia – 69
8. Hungary – 66
9. Finland – 64
10. Georgia – 63
11. San Marino – 47
12. Bulgaria – 45
13. Switzerland – 41
14. Israel – 40
15. Albania – 31
16. FYR Macedonia – 28
17. Latvia – 13

Enjoy!

DENMARK WINS THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2013!

Last night, SVT treated us to a fantastic show and the winner was Denmark - as predicted by fans and bookmakers. I loved every minute of last nights show, OK maybe not the Romanian performance but everything else was of such a high standard.

Azerbaijan came 2nd, which was a surprise - didn't think it would do that well - and then Ukraine came into 3rd position. I can't help thinking that the giant ruined Ukraine, it was just not needed and looked kinda stupid. Bonnie Tyler came 19th, better than I thought she would do, and I'm quite pleased with that placing. Ireland took the last place, closely followed by Spain. And the Finish "gimmick" flopped too coming 24th. A fantastic year - here's the full results.

1 Denmark 
2 Azerbaijan 
3 Ukraine 
4 Norway 
5 Russia 
6 Greece 
7 Italy 
8 Malta 
9 The Netherlands 
10 Hungary 
11 Moldova 
12 Belgium 
13 Romania 
14 Sweden 
15 Georgia 
16 Belarus 
17 Iceland 
18 Armenia 
19 United Kingdom 
20 Estonia 
21 Germany 
22 Lithuania 
23 France 
24 Finland 
25 Spain 
26 Ireland 

Congratulations Denmark! <3 See y'all in Denmark!!! 

Malmo 2013: Looking back at the semi finals!

I have had an awesome time in Rome and now I've arrived home last night, I've been looking through all the semi final performances this morning. And there have been a few surprises! Both shows looked visually fantastic, and the best is yet to come with the grand final tomorrow. I will keep this updated daily now, thanks for sticking with me guys! <3

Let's talk about the non-qualifiers:

• Austria - Gosh! She was a sure qualifier beforehand but the performance wasn't good. Her vocals were strained and I won't miss it in the final.
• Slovenia - She wasn't fantastic vocally but I would've liked to have seen it in the final. I didn't think this would've made it though, a shame.
• Montenegro - I really thought this would've been the first Montenegrin entry to of made the final. Astronauts were awful, Nina (whatever the hell she was supposed to be dressed as) was awesome though.
• Croatia - Boring! I did think the juries would've helped it through though. 
• Serbia - This was a shock! They had a fantastic draw, "friends" in that semi final but still failed to make it. Not that I'm complaining...
• Cyprus - Gutted this didn't make it. But I thought the Estonian entry would overthrow it.
• Latvia - This was horrible! 
• San Marino - I had a feeling this was going to flop and it did... Withdrawal rumours already coming in!
• FYR Macedonia - A complete and utter mess. Esma will remain one of the highlights in this years edition though. I was disappointed with Lozano.
• Bulgaria - One of my favourites! Gutted they didn't make the final, it was fantastic! <3
• Albania - Not a shame this one failed. It did look really good visually, rumours about Albania withdrawing are also ripe.
• Switzerland - I still think there was better in that national final, among them being Carrousell, Chiara and Melissa. 
• Israel - Probably the biggest shock. Everything was perfect, a real shame...

The lesbian kiss happened with Finland... I don't think Hungary or Belarus should have qualified but I can understand the appeal. The Netherlands qualified, Anouk done it - I'm so pleased. Could Anouk win? I wouldn't complain if she did. Loreen performed in the first semi final - she was amazing AND will performing her new single in tomorrow's grand final. I can barley wait. The draw was also announced last year, the final will be opened by France and closed by Ireland - here's the list...

1. France
2. Lithuania
3. Moldova
4. Finland
5. Spain
6. Belgium
7. Estonia
8. Belarus
9. Malta
10. Russia
11. Germany
12. Armenia
13. The Netherlands
14. Romania
15. United Kingdom
16. Sweden
17. Hungary
18. Denmark
19. Iceland
20. Azerbaijan
21. Greece
22. Ukraine
23. Italy
24. Norway
25. Georgia
26. Ireland

Let me predict the winner - DENMARK, GEORGIA OR GERMANY! The best song which didn't make the final...

Malmo 2013: Here we go!

I'm not quoting the horrible Latvian entry! I will be away until the weekend but ESC will officially start on Tuesday with the first semi final then the second semi final on Thursday, I hope everyone enjoys the shows/performances! It's gonna be a fantastic week - I can feel it. <3 Ciao! I leave you with this beautiful photograph...

I will be back for the grand final!

FYR Macedonia: Macedonian? English? Macedonian?

Lozano was initially going to sing Pred da se razdeni in Macedonian but an English version was released a few weeks ago and it was announced that that would be the version he takes to Malmo. Esma's part remains in the Gypsey language, so nothing changes with her!

The first rehearsal he sung in English (until the final chorus) however now it seems that he could change it again back into Macedonian for all of Lozano's parts. I don't know what they will do and it doesn't really matter as both versions are fantastic, but I must admit I prefer the Macedonian version. It looks great on stage too.

Here's the trilingual version...

Switzerland: Lys Assia's on the mend!

I'm so pleased to read this. Lys Assia has been in hospital all week and so some evil trolls decided to create some nasty rumours... but today Lys Assia's  management confirmed that the singer is on the mend and will attend Eurovision next week!

She's been in a bad state all week but now she's getting better. She won't attend the "Meet & Greets" but at least she'll be there in Malmo. I wish Lys good health and it will be great to see her in Malmo... I hope she gets a special mention in the grand final. That would be awesome - she's a legend, maybe a duet with Carola and Loreen? Three different yet fantastic ladies. This was said on her official Facebook page...

We can now make it officialy: Our Grande Dame Lys Asisia has made a good recovery and WILL VISIT MALMO! She'll arrive this Tuesday!

Maybe she should perform this? :-)

Moldova: Press conference cancelled - delegation unhappy!

The first semi finalists rehearsed today for the second time, and therefore press conferences have been held throughout the day however the Moldovan delegation cancelled theirs as they are unhappy with SVT.

They say the stage performance doesn't work as they planned and that they are really disappointed. Pasha Parfeny said...

We have many questions that need to be answered. If we would attend the press conference we would be asked questions which we couldn’t give answers to, 

What's the fuss? Their performance looked great IMO. I wonder if the EBU will take further action...

Malmo 2013: Carola will entertain us during the final!

It's all about the final for me this year as I won't be around for the semis and it's been announced today that Carola will be this years interval act. Fantastic!

She was great in Melodifestivalen, apparently she was already appointed the role before her performance in Melodifestivalen so she knew all along. I thought Carola would have something to do with ESC this year... Loreen will open the final, naturally  And some two people I've never heard off will be the interval act for semi final two. Carola won't just sing - she'll dance and act too!

Mr Christer Björkman said...

"She is part of an intermission where she will sing, dance and be funny. It’s based on humor, and she is part of a larger context. It’s all about Sweden and Swedish culture.”

Looking forward to this! Here she is in action... 

Introducing 2013: The Netherlands!

I have decided to take a look at each entry this year, in a lead-up to the contest! There are 39 countries participating this year, all aiming to win in Malmo (well, some don't wanna win!) Turkey, Portugal, Slovakia and Bosnia & Herzegovina decided to withdraw this year, which was a shame, so lets hope they'll decide to return for 2014! I have drawn all the countries randomly and today it's The Netherlands's turn and the last day...

Anouk - Birds!

After years of not qualifying, The Netherlands is sending one of their most successful artists to the contest. Anouk was the first act to be confirmed for the 2013 edition. The singer has shown interest towards participating in Eurovision before and now she gets her chance! The Netherlands has sent some pretty decent entries over the fast few years however they haven't made the final since 2004. One of the poorest scoring countries in recent years. Hopefully Anouk will change this. Birds is a fantastic ballad, quite haunting, and it has heartfelt lyrics...

If The Netherlands fail to qualify, I'd be gutted ! One of my favourites this year, if not the favourite for me! Anouk's vocal are always superb, everything she's produced is awesome. Unfortunately, the rock singer doesn't have a great draw - she'll perform between Ukraine and Montenegro... Amsterdam 2014? JA!

If being myself is what I do wrong Then I would rather not be right...

Here's the Dutch entry...

Anouk rehearsing on Monday...

Lost...

Three Days in a Row...

A brilliant cover!

Another one of Anouk's masterpieces...

My introductory series has now come to an end - thank you all for joining me! Now I will give my opinions on the rehearsals, then that's it... EUROVISION WILL BE HERE!

The Netherlands: Participation confirmed for 2014!

It's been confirmed today that The Netherlands will compete next year! I'm really pleased.

There was several rumours indicating that the country would pull out if Anouk failed to make the final - however these rumours have been put to bed! TROS, the current Dutch Eurovision broadcaster, and AVRO, the Junior Eurovision broadcaster, will merge as the Dutch government stated the country needed bigger TV stations, and fewer. So several broadcasters have merged to become bigger and better - and TROS and AVRO will have the responsibility of selecting and funding the 2014 Dutch entry. I hope this makes sense... ^^

It's possible the country will opt for a big national selection but nothings confirmed! Belgium have also announced they will participate next year. Here's there fantastic entry this year!

Introducing 2013: Ukraine!

I have decided to take a look at each entry this year, in a lead-up to the contest! There are 39 countries participating this year, all aiming to win in Malmo (well, some don't wanna win!) Turkey, Portugal, Slovakia and Bosnia & Herzegovina decided to withdraw this year, which was a shame, so lets hope they'll decide to return for 2014! I have drawn all the countries randomly and today it's Ukraine's turn...

Zlata Ognevich - Gravity!

The Ukrainian national final took place on 23rd December, the morning after Albania, and the fabulous Zlata Ognevich won. She is no stranger to the Ukrainian selections - she tried in 2010, 2011 and 2012. All her efforts were great! I do prefer Gravity - her entry last year makes a close second, but everyone else prefers Kukooo. When she won the NF, it was announced that the song would be revamped and that there will be some lyrical changes. The final version was released in March, with a high tech video-clip...

Ukraine will do very well this year. I'm going to predict top five. Zlata is a fantastic vocalist, and she looks so beautiful too... Plus the Ukrainian "gimmick" this year is a giant. He will join Zlata on stage - and he is the tallest man living in America, but he is originally Ukrainian... I hope the performance will be powerful. The performance in Amsterdam was very underwhelming, and quite boring too... I hope nerves won't get to Zlata on the night. I think they did in Amsterdam. Could Ukraine win this? Maybeeee! They will get a decent position for sure...

Nothing comes from pride but pride Mmh… my way is clear Dancing on the edge tonight...

Here it is...

The NF performance, and original version...

In Amsterdam...

The entry she submitted in 2011, which was a big favourite along with Smile and Action...

I loved this too!

She does have awesome vocals, just listen... <3

TOMORROW'S HINT - THREE DAYS IN A ROW... THE LAST ONE! 

Denmark: Here's an acoustic version of "Only Teardrops"!

Emmelie de Forest continues to get better and better. Her vocals in the NF were good, in London they was OK and here I think they are amazing. I'm blown away by this. She gives a fantastic acoustic version of Only Teardrops, which is the favourite to win this years edition.

And I think she could do it! Here she's just sitting on the floor, with her friends playing the flute and guitar, but she's been working on her voice and it's really lovely to listen too. Of-course she is dividing people's opinion - didn't Loreen last year? But I do think Denmark could win, it all depends how she copes live. She wasn't on top form in the national final (even though I thought she was still more than OK) but she will be performing infront of 120 million viewers next week - could this stop her filling her full potential? The answer will lie with us soon. Good luck Emmelie!

Here it is...

Belgium: Kate Ryan has a new single out!

The woman which shocked everyone in 2006, when she didn't qualify for the grand final in Athens, returns with a new single...

She has a new song out every month it seems but I like this one so I thought I'd share it with you guys. I reckon she should return for Belgium, but she must have full control (the Belgian broadcaster had a big say in her 2006 performance). Anouk has full control of everything this year, for The Netherlands - including the performance, so if she bombs and doesn't make the final DON'T blame the broadcaster for giving her a rubbish performance - like everyone did with Kate in 2006. ^^

And here it is! But this is still the best track ever from Kate... <3

Introducing 2013: Serbia!

I have decided to take a look at each entry this year, in a lead-up to the contest! There are 39 countries participating this year, all aiming to win in Malmo (well, some don't wanna win!) Turkey, Portugal, Slovakia and Bosnia & Herzegovina decided to withdraw this year, which was a shame, so lets hope they'll decide to return for 2014! I have drawn all the countries randomly and today it's Serbia's turn...

Moje 3 - Ljubav je svuda!

This year the ever so popular Beosong returned - after a one year break. It was a two night ordeal, it was a bloody tough ordeal too - many awful songs and I think one of the best, from the bunch, won. I wasn't a fan when the girls won but now after hearing it several times I do like it and it really does deserve it's place in the competition. Serbia selected their entry on 3rd March - same day as the Bulgarian national final. The Moje 3 girls are vocally perfect, well they was in Amsterdam but not in the NF...

Will Serbia qualify? Hell yeah - they will and with ease! They are drawn last in the first semi and Serbia normally gets loads of votes anyway... Doubt the jury will like it though but maybe the jury will appreciate the girls vocals, if they are good on the night that is. Belgium will perform before Serbia, another uptempo song but I think that one will be unnoticed. Let me say this - the rehearsals start tomorrow but will be behind closed doors, which kinda sucks, anyway I've said I won't be around when the contest is being held but you can look at the websites/blogs above this. I'm sorry for this :( I will be back for the final though which I'm pleased about. I have no two more "introductions" to introduce and then its done - thank you everyone for joining me here, it warms my heart <3 OK, back to Serbia! They perform in the native tongue, again...

Da ljubav je svuda Malo volim, malo ne volim Probala bih svašta sa njim...

Here it is...

The English version...

The girls in Amsterdam, no jokes please ;)

Let's remember this masterpiece... <3

TOMORROW'S HINT - TWO COUNTRIES LEFT, IT'S GONNA BE ONE OF THEM... ^^