General: Countries to face a three year ban if caught cheating!

This comes as a positive shock - great news! The EBU has announced if a country is found guilty of fix voting, they will be punished and face a ban from the contest for three years. It's great to see that these problems are being addressed.

This comes after the EBU carried out an investigation following the drama last year when Lithuanian students were apparently bribed to vote for Azerbaijan. After a long investigation, the EBU decided not to take any further action regarding this video because there is no solid evidence linking it the national broadcaster - and it could have been staged for all we know... there is simply not enough evidence! The Reference Group have tightened measures to ensure the voting is fair and to protect the Eurovision brand itself! Countries who are found guilty of cheating will be banned from participating for three years. Jon Ola Sand commented:

We are now tightening the procedures on the jury voting, and the tele-voting, putting more responsibility on the broadcasters because we found a lot of them didn't even have a clue that this could happen. Our message to everyone is, if you are involved in acts like this, it could have a consequence, everyone will suffer.

Let's hope the drama of last year doesn't repeat itself!! :-)

Ireland: Five hopefuls revealed!

Patricia Roe

The Irish hopefuls have been revealed! It's a mixed bunch and I'll reserve my judgement until I hear the songs tomorrow - as the songs will be aired on RTÉ 2FM at 2pm. These are the acts:

• Patricia Roe - Don’t Hold On (Mentor: Valerie Roe)
• Eoghan Quigg - The Movie Song (Mentor:  Mark Murphy)
• Can-linn featuring Kasey Smith - Heartbeat (Mentor: Hazel Kaneswaran)
• Andrew Mann  - Be Mine (Mentor: Cormac Battle)
• Laura O’Neill - You Don’t Remember Me (Mentor: Billy McGuinness)

I recognise a few names here. Eoghan Quigg came 3rd on The X Factor in 2008 - although we haven't heard much of him since. It was 2008 when Ruth Lorenzo competed in The X Factor too actually. Kasey has teame d up with Can-linn, she competed in Eurosong last year and came 3rd. Another familiar name is Andrew Mann. He was runner up to Jedward in 2012 with "Here I Am".

UPDATE - LISTEN HERE!

Georgia: The Shin & Mariko Ebralidze to Copenhagen!

This is a very interesting choice! The Georgian broadcaster has announced The Shin & Mariko Ebralidze will represent the country in Eurovision. The Shin were formed in Germany, in 1998, and are among Georgia's most respected bands. The specialise in jazz and fusion. They'll be joined on stage by Mariko Ebralidze - who is a popular jazz singer. Some jazz from Georgia this year then? That would be awesome!

No information regarding the song yet. I think this is a fantastic choice - hopefully the song will meet my expectations.

Copenhagen 2014: Presenters announced!

A press conference was held earlier this morning where DR announced Lise Rønne, Nikolaj Koppel and Pilou Asbæk would host the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.

Lise Rønne and Nikolaj Koppel are well known TV hosts in Denmark meanwhile Pilou Asbæk is an actor who has starred in ‘Borgen’ - which is a very successful political drama series in Denmark.

 Pernilla Gaardbo, Executive Producer of the contest stated:

I am very happy to announce our decision. It is – in itself – a huge task to be the host of a live TV-show, but the Eurovision Song Contest is the world’s largest music competition, and that puts exceptional demands on the hosts. The hosts need to keep their cool, be professional to the highest degree, and appeal to the whole world. I am confident that Nikolaj, Pilou and Lise will fill this role completely and that Europeans will feel the enthusiasm and warmth that we are trying to make part of the show.

NuVidz: Kylie Minogue, Mikko Pohjola, Ralfs Eilands & Valters Pūce, Nicholas McDonald!

She's back! Kyle Minogue has released Into The Blue today - why can't the BBC send her to Eurovision? This is so good and would be an awesome choice for the UK... The Finnish national final took place on Saturday where Mikko Pohjola came a very respectable 2nd, well here is the official video of Sängyn reunalla. Such a touching song. I like Softengine but I believe this would have been a much better choice. Ah well! Ralfs Eilands & Valters Pūce are currently competing in Dziesma. And I must admit that Revelation is pretty good, although it feels like a political song... The Latvian national final will take place on 22nd February. And I think everything is to play for - there are about 5 songs I could see possibly winning the selection. And of-course I hope it'll be the lovely Samanta <3 Anyway, finally we have British 2013 The X Factor runner up. Nicholas McDonald wasn't exactly my favourite but his new single is pretty good. It will feature on his upcoming album.

Georgia: Artist to be revealed tomorrow!

Who's going to fly the Georgian flag this year? Well, tomorrow we will find out! GPB will announce the act at 12:00 CET. Stay tuned my friends! :-)

Spain: Listen to the songs here!

TVE have released the five competing entries - that are in the running to represent Spain in Copenhagen! I'm really impressed. Spain have really upped their game this year. Listen to them here.

I actually like all of the songs but I think the best is Brequette. Her song is brilliant!! I have been listening to it all day... just wow! Ruth's "Dancing In The Rain" is great too, although I'm not sure if the English/Spanish mix works that well. I would rather her sing it completely in Spanish or English. But for some reason it works on Brequette's song. The Spanish national final will probably be held sometime in February although there is no official date, yet. ¡Viva España!

Azerbaijan: 14 artists still in the running!

There are currently 14 participants which have advanced to the "Super Casting Rounds" in Böyük Sehne - this years selection process for Azerbaijan. These are the 14 acts that have qualified:

• Fuad Asadov
• Safa Eldar
• Wave Wave
• Dilara Kazimova
• Khan Hasanov
• Valeria Huseynzadeh (Rilaya)
• Elton Ibragimov
• Samir Efendiyeva
• Aydin Eyvazzade
• Ayshebeyim Nagieva
• Lala Sultan
• Azad Shabanov
• Erik Osmanli
• Hulya Ibadova

The Azerbaijani national final will be held in exactly a month, on 2nd March. 

Moldova: Here are the 24 semi-finalists!

Cristina Scarlat 

Yesterday, a total of 64 songs were performed in front of a special jury - where they selected 24 songs to progress to the semi finals. There has been some controversy in Moldova actually, as the same three songs were entered in both the Moldovan and Lithuanian selection - the songs have been withdrawn in Moldova but remais in Lithuania (although one as eliminated last night). The Lithuanian selection is so confusing, so I've not been following it.

Personally, I really like Vis. A strong ballad in Moldovan - however I've only heard a small number of the songs so far. Here are the qualifiers:

• Diana Brescan – Hallelujah
• Margarita & Metafora – Vis
• PARALELA 47 – Fragmente
• Carolina Gorun – Turn The Tide
• Lucia S – Frozen
• Curly – Your Recovery
• Ana Cernicova – Dragostea Divină
• Rodica Olișevschi – Without You
• Alina Sorochina – Ascultă-mă, Tăcere
• Diana Staver – One And All
• Vlad Ray – Freedom
• Mikaella – Follow Your Dreams
• Lana Lights – Solar Wind
• Aurel Chirtoacă – Urme De Iubiri
• EDICT – Forever
• Cristina Scarlat – Wild Soul
• Doinița Gherman – Energy
• FLUX LIGHT – Never Stop No
• Felicia Dunaf – The Way I Do
• Anna Gulko – Happy Tomorrow
• Dana Markitan – Queen Of The Dancefloor
• Tatiana Heghea – I’m Yours
• Boris Covali – Flyng
• Glam Girls – You Believed In Me

Latvia: Samanta Tina and Niko among tonight's qualifiers!

YAY! This blogger is very satisfied with tonight's results. Samanta Tina qualified - and so did Niko. Unfortunately though, Tamara didn't make it. I had a soft spot for her song. The second semi final will take place tomorrow evening. Here are the results:

• Niko – Here I Am Again
• Aarzemnieki – Cake to Bake
• Samanta Tina – Stay
• MyRadiantU – Going all the Way
• Aminata Savadogo – I can Breathe
• Olga and Ligo – Saule Riet

I can't wait to relieve Samanta's performance. Are you satisfied with these results? I certainly am. It has been a really good night! Thanks to everyone who has joined me. 

Photograph from Samanta's Instagram!

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Switzerland: Sebalter selected for Copenhagen!

WAHOOO! I'm delighted! Sebalter has won the Swiss final and will thus fly the Swiss flag in Copenhagen! I'm listening to it now and I love it - awesome choice for Switzerland!

Like I mentioned in my previous post, I was unable to get a suitable link that worked properly so I just watched Finland instead but I switched over just in time for the results... it's a brilliant tune! Yasmina's ballad came a very respectable 2nd while 3 For All came 3rd - that's ironic, innit! Here are the results:

1. SeBAlter - Hunter of Stars
2. Yasmina Hunzinger - I Still Believe
3. 3 For All - Together Forever
4. Christian Tschanz - Au Paradis
5. Nino Colonna - La Luce Del Cuore
6. Natacha & Stéphanie - Une Terre Sans Vous

...and well done to everyone who predicted he would win in my little poll!! Complimenti a tutti. <3

Finland: Softengine win UMK!

They did it! Softengine will represent Finland in Copenhagen! Great choice - I feel kinda sad Mikko didn't make it, but Softengine are awesome nevertheless so I'm not disappointed. A great strong rock entry from Finland this year.

The Swiss national final is still taking place, I unfortunately couldn't get a decent stream so I've been giving all my attention to Sweden and Finland. Oh, and Latvia when Samanta Tina performed <3 I'm not sure how this will go do in Copenhagen - it'll probably make the final but then who knows? Maybe a result similar to Krista's...

Sweden: Ellen Benediktson and YOHIO qualify directly to the final!

The first semi final of Melodifestivalen has concluded where Ellen Benediktson and YOHIO qualified directly to the grand final. My favourite, Helena, is still in the race however as she's qualified to Andra Chansen (the second change round). At-least she didn't do a Charlotte Perrelli! Here are tonight's results:

Qualified to the final:

• YOHIO - To the end
• Ellen Benediktson – Songbird

Qualified to Andra Chansen:

• Linus Svenning – Bröder
• Helena Paparizou – Survivor

Stay tuned for results from Latvia, Finland, Iceland, Switzerland, Hungary too... :-)

Spain: Candidates to reveal their songs on 3rd February!

The Spanish hopefuls will reveal their respected entries on 3rd February! Excited? I certainly am! I've heard the Spanish national final is due to be held in mid-February although TVE are yet to announce an official date. Ruth's song is in English while the other four are going to be performed in Spanish it seems!

Finland: Representative to be selected tonight!

It's not only Switzerland who are selecting their entry for Copenhagen tonight, as Finland's UMK will come to an end this evening. There are 8 participants in the running - and I have high hopes. I predict either Softengine, Lauri, Mikko or Hukka ja Mama will win - although I also think Hannah Sky has good chances too. Clarissa and Josh's song is very radio friendly but it doesn't really work live. I doubt they'll win. If I had to make a prediction to win - I'd probably opt for Mikko. Lovely ballad.

The Finnish selection has been great - there have been many great performances in the semis/heats. Krista Siegfrids will give a special performance tonight. #TEAMDINGDONG! The outcome will be decided by televote and a jury. Personally, I wanna see Hukka ja Mama win!

1. Softengine – Something Better
2. Hanna Sky – Hope
3. MIAU – GodDrug
4. Lauri Mikkola – Going Down
5. Madcraft – Shining Bright
6. Mikko Pohjola – Sängyn Reunalla
7. Clarissa feat. Josh Standing – Top Of The World
8. Hukka ja Mama – Selja

You can watch the show here at 20:00 CET and is expected to last roughly two hours. Onnea Kaikille!

Switzerland: National final tonight!

Tonight the Swiss representative will be selected! There's six acts in the running, and I think it will be a great show. Christian Tschanz and Sebalter are my favourites - I would be delighted if either of them were victorious tonight. 

I reviewed the songs a couple of weeks ago. My prediction is that either Yasmina or Sebalter will win although who knows what could happen. The results will be decided by televote alone - and the show will start at 20:10 CET. But there's more going on tonight - Latvia, Hungary, Sweden, Iceland and Lithuania will hold semi finals (I'll probably blog the results from those on Sunday morning, as I'll concentrate on the finals tonight). And Finland chooses their entry too. It promises to be a hectic night! Here are the acts which will battle for the Swiss ticket to Copenhagen:

• 3 For All – Together Forever
• Nino Colonna – La luce del cuore
• Christian Tschanz – Au paradis
• Yasmina Hunzinger – I Still Believe
• Natacha & Stéphanie – Une terre sans vous
• Sebalter – Hunter Of Stars

...and thank you to everyone who voted in my poll! Sebalter won the poll ;-) let's see if he wins tonight too.