Sunday, 7 May 2023

Everything you need to know about Semi - Final 2, and you were afraid to ask

Yesterday we had a look at the numbers of Semi - Final 1 and now the time has come to take a closer look at Semi - Final 2 also known as 'Probably the worst Semi-Final of the last decade'.

Things are more fluid because of that average - low quality level and minor details could make the difference for the desired qualification ticket for the Final.



Image: Chloe Hashemi/EBU


The stats are focused on historical data of Semi - Final Televoting for the Double Semi - Finals era (2008-2022) and of the Running order under the producers' era (2013-2022).

Fasten your seatbelt (no pun intended) and enjoy!


1. Denmark






Qualifying Record: 8/13 ('08-'22) - 3/8 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 8.1 ('08-'22) - 9.8 ('13-'22)

Wins: 2 

Top-3 Results: 4 (2-1-1)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 16th-1st-11th-7th-13th

Running Order Record: 10/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 9.4

Running Order Wins: 0

Running Order Top-3 Results: 2 (0-0-2)


A few words about the play: The difference in Denmark's performance with the Televoters before and after the win in 2013 is impressive.

Lately struggling to make it to the Final. It is borderline this year as well.

The latest results in #1 suggest a qualification.


2. Armenia







Qualifying Record: 8/12 ('08-'22) - 5/8 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 7.4 ('08-'22) - 8 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 2 (0-1-1)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 7th-14th-15th-x-3rd

Running Order Record: 2/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 13.3

Running Order Wins: 0

Running Order Top-3 Results: 0


A few words about the play: Armenia is getting ready to re-write the Semi - Finals' running order history by becoming the first entry since 2016 and Poland to qualify from that slot. 

The other qualification that comes from slot #2 is also Armenia's so they know the drill.

First Top-3 for #2 as well? I say yes.


3. Romania







Qualifying Record: 10/13 ('08-'22) - 5/8 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 6.3 ('08-'22) - 6.9 ('13-'22)

Wins: 1

Top-3 Results: 4 (1-1-2)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 3rd-13th-14th-12th-5th

Running Order Record: 6/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 11.9

Running Order Wins: 1

Running Order Top-3 Results: 2 (1-0-1)


A few words about the play: Romania has changed their approach to the Contest back in 2018 and the results do not justify their choice.

Last year they did change direction and got a safe qualification, but this will not be the case this year. Could diaspora carry them to the Final alone performing in #3? 

If they do that, this will be a Top-3 shocker qualifier in the history of Semi-Finals.


4. Estonia






Qualifying Record: 8/14 ('08-'22) - /59 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 9('08-'22) - 8.7 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 4 (0-1-3)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 6th-3rd-3rd-12th-7th

Running Order Record: 8/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 10.9

Running Order Wins: 0

Running Order Top-3 Results: 4 (0-1-3)



A few words about the play: The producers this year have a similar tactic for both Semi - Finals placing in #4 a Jury oriented entry that is meant to suffer in a 100% Televoting Semi - Final. 
Estonia has a decent qualifying record, but this might not be enough to secure a place in the Final. 


5. Belgium







Qualifying Record: 6/13 ('08-'22) - 5/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 11 ('08-'22) - 8.9 ('13-'22)

Wins: 1

Top-3 Results: 4 (1-0-3)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 3rd-16th-15th-11th-10th

Running Order Record: 12/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 8.8

Running Order Wins: 2

Running Order Top-3 Results: 6 (2-1-3)


A few words about the play: #5 is the first strong slot for televoting friendly entries with 2 wins and 6 podium results in the producers' era. 

Belgium has changed direction this year after 5 years of Jury oriented entries. This is the reason that Belgium was given this slot making it the unofficial opener of this Semi - Final.

The paradox is that the last five non qualifications out of the six in total since 2013 have happened in the last 5 Semi - Finals, currently the longest standing non qualification streak...



6. Cyprus





Qualifying Record: 9/13 ('08-'22) - 7/8 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 9.5 ('08-'22) - 7.5 ('13-'22)

Wins: 1

Top-3 Results: 1(1-0-0)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 5th-1st-10th-7th-9th

Running Order Record: 11/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 8.6

Running Order Wins: 2

Running Order Top-3 Results: 3 (2-1-0)


A few words about the play: Cyprus is currently holding the second-best qualifying streak with 7 in a row.
Not expecting it to suffer in an average slot, but Top-3 might be far-fetched.


7. Iceland







Qualifying Record: 10/14 ('08-'22) - 5/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 8.2 ('08-'22) - 10.1 ('13-'22)

Wins: 2

Top-3 Results: 4 (2-1-1)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 14th-19th-1st-2nd-10th

Running Order Record: 10/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 8.2

Running Order Wins: 0

Running Order Top-3 Results: 4 (0-3-1)



A few words about the play: Few things to add here as Iceland is hopeless and the running order does not make any difference.


8. Greece







Qualifying Record: 13/14 ('08-'22) - 8/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 6.1 ('08-'22) - 9.1 ('13-'22)

Wins: 2

Top-3 Results: 4 (2-2-0)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 9th-10th-9th-7th-8th

Running Order Record: 11/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 9.5

Running Order Wins: 0

Running Order Top-3 Results: 1 (0-1-0)


A few words about the play: Greece is no longer a Eurovision powerhouse, but it still holds the best qualifying record with Televoters since 2008, missing out only in 2016.
The running order is aligned with Greece's current form. Greece is a borderline qualifier, and it has enough allies and friends to clinch a spot in the Final.


9. Poland




Qualifying Record: 8/12 ('08-'22) - 7/8 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 8.8 ('08-'22) - 6.5 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 1 (0-0-1)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 6th-10th-8th-13th-4th

Running Order Record: 16/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 6.3

Running Order Wins: 2

Running Order Top-3 Results: 6 (2-3-1)


A few words about the play: Poland has the 3rd best ranking average in producers' era ('13-'22) after Sweden and Norway. 

What's more impressive is that during that span the best result they have achieved is just a 3rd place ('14). 

The second-best slot to have after the Pimp Slot.



10. Slovenia







Qualifying Record: 5/14 ('08-'22) - 4/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 12.4 ('08-'22) - 12.2 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 1 (0-0-1)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 16th-9th-5th-14th-17th

Running Order Record: 8/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 10.2

Running Order Wins: 0

Running Order Top-3 Results: 2 (0-1-1)


A few words about the play: The combination of the running order and Slovenia's record is the third weakest of all 31 entries; however, Slovenia should be sailing to the Final.

What might be affected is Slovenia's chances to win the Semi - Final, something that has not happened so far from #10.


11. Georgia






Qualifying Record: 4/13 ('08-'22) - 1/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 11.2 ('08-'22) - 13 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 1 (0-0-1)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 13th-17th-13th-14th-17th

Running Order Record: 6/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 11.3

Running Order Wins: 0

Running Order Top-3 Results: 0


A few words about the play: The second weakest combination of a country's and running order's record. If the recent form trend continues, Georgia should finish 13th. 

The running order and the absence of a powerful entry is what makes me think that Georgia is a borderline qualifier and would not be surprised if they fail to qualify.

If Albania makes the cut, Georgia and not Greece will be the one to be left out.


12. San Marino






Qualifying Record: 3/12 ('08-'22) - 2/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 12.8 ('08-'22) - 11.7 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 0

Recent Form ('17-'22): 17th-16th-4th-10th-12th

Running Order Record: 13/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 7.7

Running Order Wins: 1

Running Order Top-3 Results: 4 (1-3-0)


A few words about the play: Nothing to add about San Marino. The last of the three entries without a Top-3 result so far, having a 4th place back in 2019. 


13. Austria






Qualifying Record: 4/10 ('08-'22) - 3/8 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 10.6 ('08-'22) - 10.1 ('13-'22)

Wins: 1

Top-3 Results: 2 (1-1-0)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 14th-5th-18th-15th-11th

Running Order Record: 12/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 7.8

Running Order Wins: 2

Running Order Top-3 Results: 2 (2-0-0)


A few words about the play: The big favourite of the Semi - Final in a slot that has produced two wins but no other podium result suggesting that if Austria does not win the Semi - Final, it might land outside the Top-3.

I do lean on the second outcome because Austria does have a poor qualification record and a minimal help from neighbours and friends.



14. Albania






Qualifying Record: 7/14 ('08-'22) - 3/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 9.9 ('08-'22) - 11.2 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 1 (0-1-0)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 12th-11th-9th-11th-9th

Running Order Record: 13/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 8.6 

Running Order Wins: 3

Running Order Top-3 Results: 4 (3-0-1) 


A few words about the play: Albania has an ideal running order, but I do suspect that the producers used the slot as a filler between Austria and Australia that comes after two songs.

Albania has just three qualifications in producers' era, and they all come with sweat and tears 8th and 9th (x2). Add to that the lack of its most important allies and Albania has to work very hard to find the points needed to make it.


15. Lithuania







Qualifying Record: 10/14 ('08-'22) - 7/9 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 8.1 ('08-'22) - 7.6 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 2 (0-0-2)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 15th-9th-8th-3rd-5th

Running Order Record: 12/18 / Second Last: 16/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 8.1 / Second Last: 6.7

Running Order Wins: 3 / Second Last: 2

Running Order Top-3 Results: 4 (3-1-0) / Second Last: 3 (2-0-1)


A few words about the play: Lithuania in my opinion is the country that had the best possible draw to maximise its qualifying potential and become a certain qualifier somewhere in the middle of the table.

Diaspora will always be there to help as well. 


16. Australia






Qualifying Record: 4/6 ('13-'22)

Average Ranking: 8.3 ('13-'22)

Wins: 0

Top-3 Results: 2 (0-2-0)

Recent Form ('17-'22): 15th-7th-2nd-16th-8th

Running Order Record: 11/17 / Last: 16/18

Running Order Average Ranking: 7.9 / Last: 4.9

Running Order Wins: 0 / Last: 2

Running Order Top-3 Results: 3 (0-2-1) / Last: 8 (2-2-4)


A few words about the play: Australia's record and the Pimp Slot guarantee that a Top-3 result is the bare minimum. It is very possible as well to have the first win coming from #16.

The combination #16 and Pimp Slot has only occurred four times in the 18 Semi - Finals since 2013 and it has a second, a third and a fourth place! It is time for the win as well.


And this concludes the articles about the Semi - Finals. The fun just starts and will try to post some numbers and stats about the Final as well somewhere between the Semi - Finals' posts and of course do not miss the posts with my predictions and betting tips. 

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