Eurovision 2013 - Preview of the 39 acts - Semifinal 2

Acts in Semifinal 2

Latvia

PeR - Here We Go

This isn't a strong track and Latvia have been at the bottom of the pack for a number of years now so I don't think they'll stand a chance.

 Chances of making the final - Low


Latvia's record since 2004

Latvia haven't had a great run at Eurovision either with two lowest scores in 2009 and 2010. Their last finals appearance was in 2008 and their best performance was all the way back in 2005 with "The War is Not Over" by Walters and Kazha.

San Marino

Valentina Monetta - Crisalide (Vola)

There aren't as many belching divas in this semifinal so San Marino might stand a chance of making the finals despite their woeful Eurovision history. This is a typical ballad with quite a weird, cheesy 80s, twist at the end.

Chances of making the final - Risky/Good


San Marino's record since 2004
Since scoring the lowest score on their debut San Marino left dejected and only returned in 2011. Both times they've failed to make the finals and arguably neither can really be attributed as their best performance but I'd rather go for "Stand By" by Senit which scored higher but ranked lower.

Macedonia

Esma & Lozano - Pred da se razdeni

This is a rather odd duet. In a way I love the randomness but it will probably fail to make it through. It's basically a very normal Eurovision track mixed with a random Macedonian granny

Chances of making the final - Risky


Macedonia's record since 2004


Last year Macedonia managed to salvage a losing situation by not making the finals for four years straight. Twice they were ejected from the finals over a jury's vote. Their other performances have charted mid table with neither really scoring better than the other so I have chosen "Mojot svet" by Karolina Goceva as their best performance having scored the highest points.

Azerbaijan

Farid Mammadov - Hold Me

This will be the entry that gets the teen girl votes (if Sweden doesn't), Azerbaijan have been targeting this demographic for the past few years. It's a well crafted pop track that should keepn Azerbaijan's stellar run at Eurovision alive.

 Chances of making the final - Definite

Azerbaijan's record since 2004

Azerbaijan have got to be the most successful country in Eurovision having made the Top 10 every time since their debut and making the Top 5 all but once. Farid has a lot of pressure going on him! Azerbaijan even won in 2011 with "Running Scared" by Ell & Nikki.

Finland

Krista Siegfrids - Marry Me

This sounds like it has come straight out of Disney! Finland hasn't found success since Lordi and sadly I don't think Krista is going to help. She might however make the finals as this is undeniably memorable and will find its audience at Eurovision. They really haven't found the same formula as their Scandinavian neighbours Norway and Sweden.

Chances of making the final - Good


Finland's record since 2004

Lordi's shock victory saves Finland's rather poor performance. Besides their win Hanna Pakarinen produced the best result placing 17th whilst Paradise Oskar did manage to place third in their semis but weirdly fell all the way to 21st in 2011. So without much choice I present to you "Hard Rock Hallelujah" by Lordi.

Malta

Gianluca Bezzina - Tomorrow

Malta sends in another one of those unplaceable tracks, this really could come from anywhere - almost sounds more fitting if it were the British track. However I kind of like the simplicity and with quite a weak semifinal to contend with they might just make it.

Chances of making the final - Risky

Malta's record since 2004


Malta have either found success or scored lowly at Eurovision since 2004 but really they've only managed one success and that was with "Angel" by Chiara. They couldn't sustain it by scoring 1 point the year after. Chiara tried to pull Malta out of the slump in 2009 but failed also.

So to cut it short here's Chiara with "Angel"

Bulgaria

Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov - Samo shampioni

I actually quite like this and being in a weaker semifinal will allow for more experimental tracks to make it to the finals. I like that it's different, almost like a chant even though it's kind of messy and still couldn't escape from dubstep. They managed to make it all the way to 5th in 2007 so they could possibly make it again.

Chances of making the final - Risky/Good


Bulgaria's record since 2004

They've only managed to make the finals once in eight years though they did make it all the way to 5th with that performance and guess what to take Bulgaria out of it's slump they are competiting this year! So here's "Water" by Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankoulov will their success in 2007 translate to 2013?

Iceland

Eythor Ingi - Eg a lif

This really doesn't attract me and I don't think it will attract Eurovision audiences either, its just a very muted ballad.

Chances of making the final - Risky


Iceland's record since 2004

Iceland have steadily made the finals since 2008 despite never really ranking well besides in 2009 with "Is It True" by Yohanna. Well at least they make the finals, a lot of countries would dream of being able to make the finals.

Greece

Koza Mostra ft. Agathon Iakovidis - Alochol is free

I'm in two minds with this, one part of me thinks this is pure Balkan mess but another part of me champions it for showcasing Balkan flavour! Nonetheless Greece will go through whatever happens.

Chances of making the final - Definite

Greece's record since 2004

Another powerhouse, last year was the only time Greece failed to make the Top 10, which I think must have been related somehow to their financial problems. Without that slight blip in their record they won in 2005 with the very sexy dance number "My Number One" by Helena Paparizou and placed third twice.

Israel

Moran Mazor - Rak bishvilo

Another big voiced diva, I think Eurovision has past that time when they liked their power ballads so I wonder if she'll make it through. She is lucky that Ukraine is in a different semifinal.

Chances of making the final - Risky/Good


Israel's record since 2004

Israel have seen high highs and low lows with two Top 10 performances and some that barely made it over 10 points. In 2008 Bo'az brought in 124 points for Israel but their best performance is still the power ballad "HaSheket SheNish'ar" by Shiri Maimon which placed 4th in 2005.

Armenia

Dorians - Lonely Planet

The song and the singer is so nondescript it could really come from any country. I don't know if Eurovision will open its arms to this track since it really doesn't feel distinctive at all.

Chances of making the final - Risky


Armenia's record since 2004

Armenia is another strong performer having placed in the Top 10 every time besides in 2011. That hit their ego hard forcing them to withdraw in 2012. Their best performance is with "Qele Qele" by Sirusho.

Hungary

ByeAlex - Kedvesem

This is quite an odd entry, I can't figure out whether the lead vocals voice adds or detracts from this performance. I think it's too muted to do well at Eurovision and I myself don't know if I like it or not, it just seems like they are repeating the same lines over and over again, it sounds almost like a chant.

Chances of making the final - Low

Hungary's record since 2004

Whilst Hungary haven't done as well as some countries they have been in the finals more times than they haven't despite not entering every year. Their best performance was in 2007 with "Unsubstantial Blues" by Magdi Ruzsa

Norway

Margaret Berger - I Feed You My Love

This is another bookies favourite and I can see why because it is really distinctive and I wouldn't be shocked if we see Eurovision returning to Norway. I really like the performance and Margaret Berger does the song justice.

Chances of making the final - Definite


Norway's record since 2004

Norway has been one of the more successful Western European countries in Eurovision having won once in the past 10 years with "Fairytale" by Alexander Rybak, the breakout hit that year. However they have also suffered two bottom places in the finals. 

Albania

Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko - Identitet

It's a very low key song, I don't think it's going to make it out of the semis. However this semifinal seems easier so maybe they will.

Chances of making the final - Risky


Albania's record since 2004

Albania have had a steady performance since they joined in 2004. Their best performance was last year with "Suus" by Rona Nishliu a bit belt out of a song (a personal favourite of mine). Besides that they also made 7th on their debut but besides that have been unremarkable on the rankings.

Georgia

Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani - Waterfall

This is actually a very beautiful duet, their voices suit each other very well, I prefer this much more than the likes of Ell & Niki who were so overrated.

Chances of making the final - Good


Georgia's record since 2004

Georgia has been steady at Eurovision since their debut in 2007, generally placing around the Top 10 besides their blip last year. Their best performance was in 2010 with "Shine" by Sopho Nizharadze.

Switzerland

Takasa - You and Me

Switzerland has had an awful recent history at Eurovision and I don't see this helping their cause. Whilst I don't think this will score well I'm inclined to think this has a small opportunity to shock. I don't really like it but I can see it having a select audience.

Chances of making the final - Risky


Switzerland's record since 2004

Like Belgium and netherlands Switzerland have one of the worst records at Eurovision since the introduction of the semifinals scoring the lowest score twice and failing to make the finals six times out of nine. Their best performance was all the way back in 2005 with "Cool Vibes" by Vanilla Ninja

Romania

Cezar - It's My Life

The song to finish the semifinals! OMG. Dubstep with opera! Really! His soprano voice can be good but his transitions freak me out. However Romania have made the finals every year so I wonder if they'll still make it with this.

Chances of making the final - Risky

Romania's record since 2004

Romania is one of those oddities at Eurovision who haven't won but have made the finals every year since 2004. They have made the Top 5 three times and even though their other performances have been less than stellar they still hold a good streak at Eurovision that very few other countries can say the same for.

My 10 predictions
Norway
Azerbaijan
Georgia
Greece
Finland
Israel
San Marino
Malta
Bulgaria

Dark Horse
Romania?!?!

Switzerland
Armenia