Some intake of mine in semi#1:
Austria is a type of ballad that juries would love and it seems like a neat song. Estonia follows after it. There isn't much of a love from the fans for that song, but Estonia does well with ballads!
Then it comes the first uptempo entry (just like Malta last year in semi#2), which is Slovenia. This could much better than "Verjamem" did. It's in English + she is a good vocalist. Two pluses for more points outside of their friend zone. Then it is Croatia. A song with great vocals and it is the most Eastern song. There are plenty of Eastern countries and Croatia could do a 2008 in the semi.
Following them is Denmark. Denmark is pretty praised by the fans. It's a good song and it is a favourite according to the bets! I just don't really see it as a winner, just like most of the favourites so far!!
I also think that there will be more convincing performances in that semi than the Danish one. I wouldn't mind seeing Denmark as an overall winner, coz I like the song.
Then there is Russia. Definitely not getting the same televoting result as last year, but fans like this year's entry more than last years.
And they are a guaranteed qualifier.
Ukraine is after. Vocally she will probably stood out and performance-vise. It should qualify with no problem, and I think it could win. Will it? Not sure if something Disney-ish can really pull iit - possibly!
Then it is Netherlands. An entry that is also thought to do well! How well it will do, I have no idea. Montenegro comes as a great contrast to Netherlands. Fans like it!
Following it is Lithuania. They qualified twice when people didn't expected them to (2011 and 2012..In 2011 they were at the bottom of the OGAE voting, but won the jury vote ahead of the winner
). They have some loyal voters here and they can do it. Plus, it seems that fans like it more than previous Lithuanian entries. Belarus comes after Lithuania. This song is like qualifying formula for ESC. I see comments on YT like: "this is what ESC is all about" or "too catchy, I like it". She has a good voice too, so wouldn't really ditch it as a qualifier. Some will say it - "it's bad, seen it many times", but you shouldn't rule it out. In fact, it kinda does feel like a qualifier. :shrug: After them - Moldova! They qualified with so many unpopular songs (2011 and 2012).
And they did pretty good in the final as well, whether deserved or not!
They have the Soviet countries to vote for them + Italy and maybe even Cyprus. If it is a good performance, the juries could like it. This year they are popular in the rankings, so they are one of the favourites that should qualify according to the polls. Ireland is right after it. Sounds modern - yes. He sings 13th, kinda later on, which is a good spot for a pop song to do well. I think because there are other favourites in this semi, this may suffer, but I wouldn't rule it out. Jedward did it twice, he could too!
Cyprus and Belgium sing 14th and 15th. Two outsiders according to polls and bets, yet have awesome draws! Despina brings class and experience on stage with a nice ballad. It is the last ballad of the semi#1, which could be a plus! On the other hand, Roberto is young, but enthusiastic and his song is a fine contrast to Cyprus. It is the last song/pop-dance song to be performed on English, but not the last song of the night. That can work in his favour!! Serbia sings last and they seem like certain qualifiers. It is a catchy song, sang by 3 girls, which have ok to pretty good vocals.
So yeah, confusing and anyone can really qualify!!!
