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Final 2007 Predictions
So there we have it, 10 qualifiers, and I got 6 of them in the bag, and 8 in top 15. Furthest out
was Georgia in 20th... Not too shabby, eh??! Well this is how I'm expecting things to look on the Final night,
with Latvia, Serbia and Belarus all challenging for victory. It will be interesting to see how our back to back novelty
entries from the UK and the Ukraine fare. We could have s surprise on the Western front this year - alot of the Eastern
votes will be split between a massive 17 countries, compared to just 7 Western countries. It will certainly be interesting
to see where the Western votes go. Unfortunately for our hosts, I don't think things look too bright, and they should
be joined by countries such as Lithuania, France and Armenia in picking up the fewest votes. Most of the qualifiers
should do well, with the most undeserving in my opinion (Turkey and Macedonia) failing to make much of an impression.
Good luck to all though, hope I'm closer this year than last. I'm routing for Minsk or Riga 2008!
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| 1st |
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| Place |
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Belarus
Well, Belarus actually did manage to pull the only draw position in the
Final that was actually worse than what he had in the Semi - what were the chances?! I thought Koldun sang really well,
the routine was memorable and the song was great. I'm hoping for Minsk 2008 and my vote goes to Belarus for this sexy
slice of camp pop.
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| 2nd |
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| Place |
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Latvia
Despite not pulling as good a draw in the Final as what they had in the
Semi-Final, the Latvian entry was brilliant. Beautifully and professionally sung, with a rousing chorus and wonderful
finish. I hope this challenges for victory and doesn't get stumped by the draw - and I think it will!
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| 3rd |
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| Place |
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Serbia
I thought the performance was a little dodgy, but they should pull it
together. Marija sang wonderfully, and this will pick up lots and lots and lots of Eastern douze points. It should
challenge for victory, but might just miss out like Bosnia & Herzegovina last year.
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| 4th |
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| Place |
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Ukraine
Now - this has become the hardest to call. Verka has very quickly
turned into the favourite from we started watching the performances in the rehearsals - and there's no doubt about it, it
is very enjoyable. Some may think it's a good thing that the competition from Denmark isn't through, but does this mean
Europe didn't like the whole drag queen facade? If not, this is in trouble. I hope Scooch outdo it, but it's likely
Verka will challenge for victory, and like many fans, I hope she doesn't.
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| 5th |
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| Place |
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Slovenia
Alenka's performance was perfect and professional. She captured the haunting
melody from the offset, and the whole performance was just woderful. She should challenge for victory - this really
would be the perfect winner after Hard Rock Hallelujah - bringing Eurovision back to how it should be.
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Alenka Gotar
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Cvet Z Juga
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| 6th |
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| Place |
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Bulgaria
This really is the only dance related entry in it this year - almost
replacing what Romania have come up with in the past two years. With this in mind, Bulgaria should do quite well with
this song that is strong enough to appeal all over Europe.
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Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankovic |
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| 7th |
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| Place |
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United Kingdom
With what really is the best novelty entry in it this year, Scooch's
enthusiastic approach, nifty dance routine and catchy tune could just give the UK their best placing for a while. I
hope they manage to outdo their fellow novelty counterparts from Romania and Ukraine. The draw isn't bad either - only
two of the following 5 are contenders for top ten. Westerners should go for this in all it's fun, camp glory!
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Flying The Flag (For You) |
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| 8th |
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| Place |
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Hungary
Magdi was definately the best singer in the Semi, and this should be
the same in the Final. With slightly stronger competition I'd say top ten is still on the cards - but I hope she manages
top 5.
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| 9th |
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| Place |
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Georgia
Sopho gave a sound performance, which really lifted the song in Semi (quite literally).
Another good performance should see this make the top ten.
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Sopho
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Visionary Dream
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| 10th |
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| Place |
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Spain
The rehearsals are proof that D'Nash are sound live performers, being
able to both sing well and dance. I'm really looking forward to this one, and Spain should be satisfied with a top ten
placing - even if it only is by one or two places!
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| 11th |
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| Place |
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Moldova
How this qualified is a little beyond me - I didn't think there was much special
about it. Nonetheless, it must have striked a chord somewhere in Europe, and should pick up enough votes in the Final
to gain a respectable placing.
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Natalia Barbu
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Fight
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| 12th |
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| Place |
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Sweden
Early favourites, the Ark, will be looking to secure a fifth victory
for Sweden. The problem is that the typical Swedeish schlager which they sent last year would probably have won the
thing this year amidst a lack of good pop songs. Nonetheless, the Ark shouldn't fare too badly, but I don't think they
will come close to a victory, despite having what I think is one of the better songs this year. I do like it, but I
just don't know if they can pull it off. If it's anything like the National Selection performance they certainly won't.
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| 13th |
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| Place |
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Russia
It's hard to gauge just how well this will do. Nothing has ever
been entered like this before, and reports from the reharsals suggest that this will be a very static song. It should
pick up a few Western votes, and ex soviet ones at that - but none from the Balkans, which, unfortunately are becoming necessary.
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| 14th |
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| Place |
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Greece
I think this is so unforgivably bland, and could see Greece outside the
top ten for the first year in 4. It's alright, nothing special, and may pick up enough votes to make the top ten, but
there's no way this deserves to do better than last year.
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| 15th |
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| Place |
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Turkey
Turkey's qualification was a sound example of diaspora voting, and it really
has made me quite cross. Of all the songs that made it through I thought this was the worst - poorly performed and sung
- there's no way this deserved a place in the Final over other entries. Unfortunately, whether I like it or not, they
are through, and I'd say should get a little lost like Sibel last year despite a good draw. Here's hoping anyway.
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Kenan Dogulu
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Shake It Up Shekerim
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| 16th |
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| Place |
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Germany
I think the decision to sing in German was a really poor one, which will
really hold this back. Despite having a better draw than last year, this is nowhere near as good as Texas Lightning,
and I think it's likely that Germany will continue to follow their trend of underperforming in the scoring.
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| 17th |
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| Place |
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Ireland
I like this - it's very Irish and songs which are particular to their
countries culture do tend to do well - but the draw really is against them - coming up after a favourite (Belarus) and then
the host country. I hope they win, then it comes to Belfast (*I think*) where I live, but it's more likely that following
Ireland will get lost and find themselves in the bottom half of the scoreboard.
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They Can't Stop The Spring |
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| 18th |
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| Place |
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Bosnia & Herzegovina
Politcal voting should carry this from the bottom. Not a great draw
or an astounding song - just a nice one. The only thing this has going for it is neighbours.
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| 19th |
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| Place |
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Macedonia
I was gobsmacked when this STILL managed to qualify. Let's face
it, it was nothing special. A really poor draw in the Final could mean this ends up gettig very lost indeed.
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| 20th |
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| Place |
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Armenia
Even worse than Bosnia & Herzegovina's entry - the good draw won't
save this. It's dull and boring, there's a complete lack of sparkle and the English translation makes it sound so inauthentic.
Only saved from last place again by neighbourly votes.
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Hayko
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Anytime You Need
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| 21st |
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| Place |
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Romania
What happened to those fantastic Eastern flavoured dance tracks?! This
is complete tripe compared to what Romania have recently sent. I'd be surprised to see this do well for two main reasons.
Though a novelty entry, the UKs previous performance should be far more entertaining, and as one of three boybands, this really
doesn't compare to Latvia's classy vocals, or Spain's catchy tunes and good looks. This deserves to be at the bottom.
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Todomondo
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Luibi, Luibi, I Love You
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| 22nd |
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| Place |
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France
Despite entering something new and different, with plenty of charm I
don't think France will leave a very strong impression this year. When will they learn to send back the big French ballad
again? Give Celine a call, I'm sure she wouldn't mind.
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Les Fatals Picards
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L'Amour A La Francaise
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| 23rd |
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| Place |
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Lithuania
I really like the Lithuanian entry, but amidst a field of much bigger
songs, I don't feel this has the sparkle to shine out. It would be lovely to see something like this do well though.
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4Fun
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Love Or Leave
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| 24th |
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| Place |
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Finland
I love this, it's one of my favourites, but rock chick just doesn't work
at Eurovision (Germany 2005). A really poor draw and a song lacking the sparkle means things don't look great
on the home turf. I do love it though, and want it to do well.
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Hanna Pikarinen
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Leave Me Alone
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2007 Semi-Final Predictions
Picking 10 qualifiers out of 28 has proven to be a very difficult feat indeed, but I've managed
to draw the line and suggest who I think is in with a chance! Obviously, I think the top ten are the most likely qualifiers,
but anyone between 1st and 14th are in with a shot - followed by 15th to 17th as rank outsiders and then 18th and 19th who
are in with a shot but it's rather unlikely. From 20th down I don't think they stand a chance of qualification, but
stranger things have happened! Despite being firm fan favourites, I don't think Cyprus have it in the bag - but qualification
certainly isn't out of reach. As for Belarus, Serbia and Latvia - I reckon they can easily get through. I
think Malta may miss out on the Final by the skin of their teeth and I reckon Norway have been extremely underrated!
Enjoy!
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| 1st |
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Serbia
Molitva is arguably the best ballad in it this year, and in a year where
rock songs seem to have taken over, this will be a welcome break. Serbia have plenty of neighbours to give this 'douze
points', not to mention the fact that it is a strong song. Although I think this would have benefitted from an English
translation, I think the song is a really strong one, and should appeal across the board.
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| 2nd |
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Latvia
With the best draw they could have possibly hoped for, Latvia will ressonating
in the voting public's ears when it comes to the voting. The songs catchy and classy, and should pick up a big smattering
of votes from across Europe.
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| 3rd |
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Belarus
With possibly the best pop song in it this year, Belarus should be looking
to secure a first victory, especilly after so many years of disapointment. The song's fantastically camp while still
having a class and appeal that could just sweep the board - especially if Dima's performance from last year is anything to
go by.
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| 4th |
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Denmark
I think camp and colourful will be enough to help Denmark win the day.
This is a good song - sounding much better when performed live, and if the Danish National Final is anything to go by, it
should be memorable and thoroughly enjoyable.
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| 5th |
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Bulgaria
Whether or not Europe will go for the whole Tibetan/Asian thing I'm not
sure - but this is undoubtedly a very good one and a very different one, which shouldn't lose interest despite being up first
in the proceedings. This should have enough friendly neighbours to pick up enough votes just to qualify, not to mention
the rest of Europe who shouldn't be put off. I just hope the performance is better than that of the National Final and
Elitsa is given more importance on stage, rather than being stuck behind a bunch of drums.
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Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov |
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| 6th |
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| Place |
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Hungary
My personal fave this year is this classy, powerful blues number.
The suspected minimalist performance should work well for this, and I think it would be a difficult feat indeed for this not
to appeal across the board. Magdi should give a wonderful performance - one I'm very much looking forward to.
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| 7th |
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| Place |
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Cyprus
Despite being a fan favourite, I doubt Cyprus will manage a victory
- at least definately not with the draw they have in the Semi-Final. In the Final, if the song is strong enough, this
could manage better things. It's difficult to say how this will go - it is a great song, but I can't help thinking the
language - the one thing that makes this a rather different entry - could be the one thing that holds this back. I've
chosen the safe option, but don't be surprised to see Cyprus fail to qualify.
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| 8th |
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| Place |
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Norway
Despite what people seem to think, I reckon this is one of the best songs
in it, and it's certainly looking to be one of the most professionl and appropriate performances. People say that it
isn't authentic - sending a latino track from Norway. Who cares? It worked for Latvia in 2002, and if you listen to
the song before you slate it you'd hear one that ticks all the right boxes. It's classy, camp, catchy and well performed
- Go Norway!!
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| 9th |
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Macedonia
Macedonia have always managed to just make the Final - but don't be surprised
if this is the first that just manages to miss out. I really like it, and I think the song is a strong one, but with
28 songs the stakes are higher for countries like Macedonia who usually just manage to scrape through. Neverthe less,
this is strong enough, and their appeal to sing the last few choruses in English was successful, so I'd expect to see them
in the Final.
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| 10th |
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Andorra
Andorra definately stand a stronger chance than they ever have this year.
Despite sending a rock song, of which there are plenty this year, Andorra have taken a strong draw and their song is alot
fresher than most. With a strong performance this should make the Final, but only just.
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| 11th |
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| Place |
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Turkey
Turkey could also just slip in or out of the top ten this year.
The song's good, but I don't know if it has a general enough appeal to pick up enough points from across Europe.
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| 12th |
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| Place |
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Switzerland
This is another solid favourite that I think will suffer from the draw
in the Semi-Final. I just watched a live version on youtube and it was an absolute disaster. Switzerland did hold
a place in my top ten but I think they may just miss out unless they seriously get their act together - and find a girl that
can sing the song live..
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