Eurovision 2019 : First Look at Semi Finals running order - Semi 1

Finally the very quiet 3 weeks that followed the national finals season have come to an end and it's time to have a look at the running order of the Semi - Finals. Today we will focus on Semi Final 1 and tomorrow will follow the 2nd Semi.

We have to bear in mind that the running order is important for a borderline song and can make the difference there, but nothing changes regarding the favorites that will either way qualify regardless of their running order. A reminder that the producer of the show decides the order of appearance and the goal is to have a succesful show, giving a fair chance to every song. In the following weeks i will present my thoughts for every song in detail, but for the moment we will focus on the running order.


Semi Final 1

1. Cyprus: Very good choice for an opener. Cyprus is a definite qualifier and its chances won't be affected by the running order, though very difficult to be a Top-3 from No1.

2. Montenegro: Never really had a chance to qualify and the producers decided to add the final nail in the coffin. It's going nowhere but we already knew that.

3. Finland: Former famous DJ decides to revive his career and participates in Eurovision with not much of a song. DJ Bobo memories from 2007 come to my mind and i foresee a similar result. Had it borderline NQ but from No3 is doomed.

4. Poland: Things are getting tougher for Poland. Could definitely use a draw somewhere between 6-8. Borderline that could go either way, currently leaning to NQ.

5. Slovenia: In the middle between two uplifting songs that gives the chance to stand out, but that can be read two ways. My opinion is that only one between Poland, Slovenia and Czech Republic will qualify to the final and that will be the song with the best staging. Quality wise, Slovenia is better than the other two.

6. Czech Republic: I can understand why people might like the song and can definitely understand why it could qualify, but personally find it kind of amateurish and repetitive. Staging is the key.

7. Hungary: Joci Papai returns to the competition and the quality of his song could guarantee him a spot to the final, but things will be difficult there. The first half of the Semi is one of the weakest ever and Hungary can secure its qualification.

8. Belarus: This is the best draw that Belarus could ask for, but the song is so weak that won't do any difference. Cannot see Belarus avoiding a bottom 3 result.

9. Serbia: It's the fate of Serbia to always be a borderline and qualify or disqualify just for a few points. History repeats itself first as tragedy and second as farce. Something tells me that will finish 11th missing out for 2-3 points.

10. Belgium: Could definitely get a better draw, but squeezed between two inferior songs, gives it a chance to stand out. Borderline qualifier for the time being.

11. Georgia: Anything better than finishing last will be a great result for Georgia. Filler for the songs to come.

12. Australia: Pop opera is not my cup of tea and still cannot understand why countries keep trying with that particular style. Could definitely qualify from No16 or 17 but now is kind of in trouble. A wtf (pardon my language) staging will be followed by a bigger wtf staging and song and Portugal is just two more songs after that. Can juries save it?

13. Iceland: The talk of the town for that night. I don't know if positive or negative comments will prevail but many will be talking for days about that song. Don't think that it will fail to qualify, unless they decide to go all in with the BDSM staging.

14. Estonia: Sandwiched between the two leftfield participations of the year, Estonia will look like 3 minutes out of the madness. The only way to qualify is to pray that Iceland and Portugal will shoot their legs with the staging. Personal opinion, it would be good to disqualify. The competition needs more authentic and out of the box songs and artistic suggestions like Iceland's and Portugal's. We have heard hundreds of similar pop songs coming straight out of a Swedish studio.

15. Portugal: The other alternative suggestion of the semi. Slightly distracting choreography, but not enough to prevent it from qualifying.

16. Greece: The Favorite ( no pun intended, #oscars2019). Greece didn't need a good draw to qualify, but the specific running order could create a momentum leading to the final. Secured Top-3 for the semi, possibly the winner of the semi.

17. San Marino: If there is a country that could be happy with its draw, this is San Marino. With a weakest song back in 2016 have finished 12th, far away though from Top-10. Running order could guarantee some televote points and Serhat still has a chance.