EUROVISION 2019: FINAL SEMI-FINAL 1 PREDICTION

The moment is finally here, its Eurovision week! Tomorrow is the day of the first semi-final and words can't describe how excited I am, but also sad that we are about to lose 7 of our 2019 acts! This is my final prediction before the show on who I think is qualifying and who is not. A polite reminder that my final predictions have never guessed more than 8/10, so I'm hoping to beat that this year but I really don't think I because this year is SO competitive in both semi-finals. Anyway, lets begin:

Cyprus

In my initial rehearsal I said Cyprus would win this semi-final but at this moment I think others might have just overtaken her. However, this is still a very high-impact opener and I actually think its one of the strongest full packages in this semi-final overall with camera angles and staging and its the perfect show opener.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Montenegro

Bless them. That's all I keep saying when I chat about D Mol and this entry. After numerous rehearsals people are saying this is struggling to come together, and its not like they have a song that is strong enough that this isn't an issue. Sadly this is the only no hoper in this semi-final for me, but I hope they can go out on stage and be proud of what they do.

Final Verdict: Not Qualifying

Finland

This isn't awful, but I think if this wasn't such a big name as Darude we'd have already written this one off. Sebastian has improved (apart from his stylistic choices) and they do fill the stage nicely, but I just don't think that this is enough even with Darude's involvement because its forgotten the minute its performed.

Final Verdict: Not Qualifying

Poland

Poland have really grown in my expectations after seeing the full performance. The camera angles are nice and after understanding the full concept I think this will come to life once we have seen the full performance. This is one of the acts I think is on the border because of the lack of Polish diaspora countries that are voting in this semi-final and qualification is so hard to predict here, so I won't be too shocked whatever happens.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Slovenia

This is another one where its just one massive question mark on whether this is going to qualify because it takes such a risk. I think this is so magical and atmospheric and there is massive potential for an entry like this, but then I also worry that people won't understand it or even forget it sandwiched in the running order, which even I do from time to time despite it being one of my favourites.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Czech Republic

I've said this before, but I have no doubt that this is just going to draw all the locals right in. It has that mainstream and popular appeal where all ages will enjoy the song and that's why I believe it will end up being an underdog. Not to mention we haven't seen the most interesting parts to their staging yet. Top 10 in the final is still a possibility in my mind, so they should manage that in the semi-final with ease.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Hungary

This one has really came to life at the perfect time hasn't it. The staging for this is just stunning and Joci grows in confidence each and every time as he gets used to the stage, and you well the personal connection he has to the song every time. This is really working for me and I think it stands a good chance of going through.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Belarus

This still continues to slap very hard. This is just a fun teen-pop banger and I have so much time for it. For 16 years-old ZENA has so much confidence and vocally for her age the performance is faultless. I'm not writing it off completely like I did before, but I don't know if this has the overall appeal to make the cut in such a competitive semi-final.

Final Verdict: Not Qualifying

Serbia

I'm not a huge fan of this one but the fact that I've expected this to qualify even with just the shoddy Beovizija staging says it all I think. This new staging adds just so much more to the song and Nevena is just so consistent vocally and I can guarantee she will continue to belt it out perfectly each and every time. This feels almost guaranteed to me right now, but I still don't think it'll do as well as some people have been expecting.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Belgium

Honestly this is probably one of the most difficult acts to predict for me, it could literally go either way. Eliot has had the Blanche effect of improving each and every time he has performed and I think that he's pulled the performance together. It could shock non-qualify and I'd understand, but for now I think it has a chance.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Georgia

Well if you had told me that Georgia would go from being a total write-off for me to a potential dark horse qualifier I would have laughed in your face but Oto and his team have really pulled this one together and improved it so much on the Eurovision stage. I still don't know if it'll be enough because it is musically divisive but this is way more powerful than it once was.

Final Verdict: Not Qualifying

Australia

Well, who expected THIS kind of elevation from Australia Decides to Eurovision. This is not just going to be one of the most talked about stagings of this semi-final, but of the whole contest this year and maybe the whole decade in years to come. I've already said my praises to this in my other blog posts, so I'll cut to the chase and say this is definitely through and maybe even a semi-final winner.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Iceland

Iceland haven't qualified since 2014, but this surely has to be the year that they finally make the cut. Hatari are iconic and their performance is iconic, it is not going to leave your mind whether you like it or not, and those that love it better support it and I'd be so shocked and disappointed if this misses out. Hopefully that won't be the case.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

Estonia

Estonia to me seems like an act that can also go either way because of its spot in the running order. Will it be overshadowed by all the crazy or stand out for its simplicity because not all will like the crazy? Who knows at this point, honestly. For now I'm going to say its not qualifying but I really think its not one to rule out.

Final Verdict: Not Qualifying

Portugal

Oh my god I hope so badly that this can make it through. I adore Conan and his dancer even more than I did before at this point after interviews and seeing how badly they want this to work out and I'll be heartbroken if it doesn't qualify even though I've started to think that will end up being the case. Please defy all odds and make it, king!

Final Verdict: Not Qualifying

Greece

Greece, this staging is really beautiful. I can't remember the last time Greece got their stage show so spot on and I'm glad they've managed to do it with possibly their best act and entry this decade. I cannot wait to see the full visual presentation for this and I think it could even possibly be the semi-final winner. Jurors should love this.

Final Verdict: Qualifying

San Marino

A real fun show closer from Serhat as we all came to expect. I do have to say I expected more from a show closer but more is more seemed to be the theme of everything that came before it so maybe what we got was a wise move. This is the best shot and making it that San Marino have had in a long, long time, but I still don't know if its strong enough to make it.

Final Verdict: Not Qualifying

This was so hard to predict and honestly I'm still not confident I got any of this right to be honest. We'll see tomorrow night, I'm so excited and nervous! Let's catch up tomorrow after the inevitable madness that is about to occur tonight!