The first semi-final of the 2013 Eurovision season concluded with some unexpected results. A couple of the contestants even appeared surprised by the outcome.
If your name is Andrius Pojavis, you're probably thinking the same thing as the rest of us: "How the hell did that happen?" For some time, the song from Lithuania has been voted the one least likely to qualify. That prediction was blown out of the water. But how? While Eurovision pundits had written off Andrius and his dancing eyebrows, they were forgetting the composition of the semi-final. Lots of former Soviet republics were performing in this one - and dare I say it - giving them the opportunity to vote for their neighbours. Who'd have thought it?
While the "old school" countries have complained about tactical voting in the past, it was ironic to note the remarks seen on social media from those residing in the republics of the former Yugoslavia. All four of those taking part in this semi-final failed to qualify and now they cry foul. Really? Haven't we always been told that it's all about the quality of the song?
Slovenia failed because the live performance was simply bad. Croatia's group sang well, but bored too many people. Rap never does well at Eurovision, so Montenegro's spacemen were bound to fall to Earth. Finally, Serbia's presentation was just too amateur and trashy...and the song was not that great either.
The real casualty in all of this was, I feel, Austria. Natália had the burden of beginning the semi-final and, while there was nothing wrong with the song, the presentation did not really "shine". There has never been a hint that Austria would win the competition, but I would have preferred to listen to that track again over the offering from Lithuania.
What is pleasing to see is the reemergence of the low countries. The Netherlands has returned to the Final for the first time since 2004 and, surprisingly for many this year, Belgium also made the cut.
So, will there be more surprises to come in the second semi-final tomorrow?
Yes, it's amazing how much bleating is going on from the Balkans at the moment! If there had been one song in that region that hit the spot, like Denmark or Ukraine, they would have got through but the simple fact is that they were either not sung well enough or were too 'specialist' in nature.
ReplyDeleteI am sure no-one picked that ten (I definitely didn't, 8 for me without Roberto and Andrius) - to be fair, Andrius gave his best ever performance and Roberto performed well too, with good camera craft - maybe even his boyish good looks helped his televoting?
The eight bar Belgium and Lithuania were to be expected - what would be worrying for the other countries hoping to win the Final was the response to Emmelie's performance. I know that there would have been lots of Danes there (being only a bridge crossing away) but the whole crowd went mad for Denmark - I suspect her odds would have shortened even more now...
As for SF2, I will wait to see some footage of their final dress and jury rehearsals but it might only change my thoughts on the 9th and 10th qualifiers...