Eurovision 2019 : First Look at Semi Finals running order - Semi 2

Things are heating up and we are finally heading to the last few weeks before rehearsals. Eurovision in Concert was held last Saturday in Amsterdam and the odds have slightly shifted. Before going back to the winner market, let's see what we have in Semi Final 2.

Personally, i find the first Semi stronger but that doesn't mean that we don't have strong songs here as well. Let's see what we have

1. Armenia: Interesting song that will bring energy to the show. I Find it a little bit more aggressive. Producers didn't do any favors to Armenia and with a lack of allies, could definitely be a shock non qualifier. Odds above 2.25 definitely have value.

2. Ireland: Not many things to comment or add about Ireland. An amateurish song that will be a miracle if it will avoid bottom -3.

3. Moldova: In my opinion is not that bad but running order definitely does not help. Still has some slim chances to make it through, especially if Switzerland fails to stage its song.

4. Switzerland: Eurovision in Concert stopped the madness for Switzerland and odds went back to double digits. Nice song, can do well and has potential but we need to see the actual staging. 100% qualifier and probably Top-3 for the Semi but cannot immagine it beating Netherlands from #4.

5. Latvia: A nice radio song that I find hard to immagine how someone could stage it and make it qualify. Complete absence of emotions and energy. Will suffer coming after Switzerland. I won't write it off 100% yet but all odds are against it.

6. Romania: It seems that it has lost the touch with the contest. Last year their absolute qualifying record has ended and this year they are in course for a back to back disqualification. Country elements on a Romanian song is not the ideal combination for success. Has the allies to qualify but Top-10 televote score is highly improbable.

7. Denmark: Difficult year for them, being probably 3rd or 4th among the Scandinavian countries, but the good news for them is that Norway and Sweden are on the same Semi and they can have 20-25 guaranteed points. They need to find the extra 80-90 to secure qualification. Slightly cheesy but can get just enough points to finish 8th-10th in the semi. Rehearsals will enlighten us.

8. Sweden: Definite qualifier, most probably Top-3 for the Semi. Sweden will not face any problem to qualify and the only remaining thing to see is if the song can get any momentum for the final with that draw.

9. Austria: Unlike the majority of punters and commentators, i find the Austrian song interesting and with an intimate staging I wouldn't be shocked if it qualified to the final. Staging again is the key. Has potential for a Top-10 jury score.

10. Croatia: A country that used to send interesting songs and was achieving good results, has become a Eurovision pariah. Probably the worst song of the year. Worths a bet to finish last in the Semi.

11. Malta: My guilty pleasure for the year. Has the potential to do well but wouldn't trust the Maltese to stage it properly. Definite qualifier though. If Malta knows one thing is to get points from the juries. I don't know how they do it but it is effective. Add that to 4-7th placing in televoting and a Top-3 finishing is not out of context.

12. Lithuania: Not doomed but being sandwiched between Malta and Russia is not a good omen for Lithuania. Producers have been harsh with them but they have been more than lucky witht their allocation draw. They do have enough allies to be the shocker qualifier.

13. Russia: The biggest questionmark of the Semi. Can they make it? Will the staging be enough to give them the 2nd win in the contest that so desperately seeking the last 5-6 years? Can they build some momentum? Stay tunned...

14. Albania: Very interesting song that has the elements to secure an easy qualification but staging is almost always a problem with Albania. Definitely in the mix for qualification.

15. Norway: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde vibes from Norway this year. Can easily repeat a Denmark 2018 result but it could also fail to qualify a la Estonia 2017 or Iceland 2016. Luckily for them they have enough allies to secure their presence in the Final.

16. Netherlands: Sailing through the final. On a mission this year!

17. North Macedonia: The country that every year sends an interesting studio version song, but the quality of the live show is so bad that they fail to qualify. Their song this year has a message, but i find it to boring to hear it til the end. Not written off yet.

18. Azerbaijan: The first disqualification that they had last year, made them take the contest slightly more seriously and this year Azerbaijan is aiming again for a Top-10 spot. Will be interesting to see the song live and the show that they will stage.

Another EurovisionBetsandPieces post came to an end. Share your thoughts and views about the Semi and the pre-rehearsal season so far.