A Quick Look At The Odds

Just to break from the mundane day-to-day reaction and reviews today we're going to look at the odds around Eurovision.

Currently the odds cannot be properly trusted because not enough countries have chosen. Notwithstanding this fact looking at the odds currently Greece and Russia are the favorites at 7/1. (Which is still very high). Other high counties: Italy is only 9/1 which, given their selection process seems a little strange, nevertheless, I would not expect an Italian win this year. Cyprus are 11/1 which reflects the strength of their national final songs this year. Denmark who I think has a good chance at winning this year is still back on 16/1, which could be a good bet.

Moving further down the list Spain and Ireland are 33/1 which doesn't reflect their possibilities. Of the two songs picked so far Albania is 41/1 and Switzerland is 25/1.

Looking at Melodifestivalen 2012 according to the odds (without hearing the songs): The Moniker is the favorite to win the first semi-final. Timoteij are favorites to win the second semi-final, Youngblood in the third and Danny Saucedo is the favorite for the fourth semi-final and favorite to win the whole competition. Strangely Ulrik Munther is second favorite to win outright (11/2)  and Charlotte Perrelli is 11/1.

Looking at DMGP 2012, Christian Bons and Patrick Isakson are favorites to win outright, with Aya (singing a song by the writers of Satellite) is second favorite.

Iceland Semi Final 1: Review

With the first semi-final in Iceland just days away we take a look at the songs.

Íris Hólm - Much more rockish song than "The One". It doesn't sound modern enough but I still like this. Grade: B-

Greta Salome & Jonsi - Starts deep and intense but then develops with what sounds like violins. Female singing is very intense. However the chorus just is not sharp enough for my liking. Grade: C-

Fatherz'n'sonz - Strange song but reminds me of Nordman until…….crash…….suddenly it all sounds like Christmas. No - then continues to be a bit more like Nordman. What is this song????? This would sound totally out place in May. Grade: E

Heiða Ólafsdóttir - This is a gentle sounding ballad which does really go anywhere. If it was anywhere else I'd say that it may do well for being so relaxed. But this is Iceland. It just does work in such a short show. Grade: E

Blar Opal - Modern sounding…I'll give it that. For the first time I'm not sure if the song is best suited to Icelandic. We've seen these types of songs all the time in National Selections. Might be good  - might not. Grade: D-.

News Flash

We're very happy with how our "Why Ireland Needs Jedward" post was received. In the future we will try to publish a little more on Jedward (just wait until RTÉ gives the full list of who is participating)

Turkey have announced that Can Bonomo will represent them in Baku. I don't personally go for him but many people will think he is good. (It's Turkey afterall)

Tine Lynggaard has been disqualified from DMGP 2012 due to her song being published to early. (Must not own a calender).

Nina Badric will represent Croatia in ESC 2012. Seems like a good choice.

Melodifestivalen running order has been revealed. The best slot in the semi finals has gone to Danny (sigh) Timoteij are singing fifth in their semi-final (Another sigh).

Why Ireland Needs Jedward for ESC 2012

Since about two days after ESC 2011 Jedward have shown that they want to comeback. In spite of the nay sayers throughout the world of Eurovision fandom - who don't not understand semantics of Hiberno-English -  said, they're going to be in Eurosong 2012 (apologies will still be accepted). Once RTÉ announce the full list of songs and artists (expected next week) we will be openly declaring full support for whoever we think is the best candidate. At this point I am 98.62% sure that we will be giving our full support to Jedward. The only question is WHY?

The answer is complex:

• Last year Jedward participated for Ireland in ESC 2011. They know at this stage how a modern Eurovision Song Contest works. This experience will help them if they are sent to Baku again this year. Many returning artists have not had this experience due to the massive expansion of the contest since 2004. It has become a test of endurance over two weeks. Jedward have experience of how to handle this.
• At Eurovision last year they got themselves into the media spotlight more than any other contestant. Their first press conference has gone down as legendary and put the media on their side. Not many contestants can do this. They changed the attitude of Eurovision fans to Jedward overnight, last year when the rehearsals started. Ireland became one of the most talked about entries of 2011. Keith Mills of AllKindsOfEverything.ie noted that the first day they arrived they worked an 18 hour day with the media.
• In spite of on going criticism of their vocal performance, they showed last year that they can deliver with the correct song. The biggest surprise was how they scored in the Jury/Public system. While the widely accepted view of everyone that they would score well with the public, it was equally thought they would score less well with juries. The opposite turned out to be true. Jedward scored 6th with the juries and 10th with the public. 
• Jedward's biggest appeal (and fan base) is with females in the 8-12 and 13-17 years old category. It has been widely noted that these categories are increasingly affecting the outcome of the contest. Over the last year Jedward have built up a major fan base across Western Europe - they did not have this in 2011
• Jedward are currently one of Ireland's biggest acts and are supported by strong management team who will support them with promotion and in Baku. Very few other artists will have this. 
• Jedward clearly have been planning this since ESC 2011 was over. That shows dedication to the Eurovision Song Contest which we do not see in any other artist. Fans should be grateful for this and support Jedward.
• This website is of the opinion Ireland's score in 2011 would have been higher had we not been drawn in front of Sweden
• For fans of Eurovision (rather than Jedward fans): 2009 and 2010 saw two very successful winners emerge from the contest. They topped charts in many countries and charted across Europe. This in turn helped the contest. Sadly Ell & Nikki did not exactly do this. Jedward doing well or winning the contest would be a huge victory for the contest as Jedward are ready to go and will not struggle to promote themselves after the contest.

So as I say unless U2 or someone turns up out of the blue we will be supporting Jedward for Baku!!! #Jeds4Baku

Review: Cyprus national final

Today there is not a vast amount of news coming in other than Tine Lyagraard's participation in DMGP 2012 is once again under scrutiny after fresh information appeared. (We'll keep you posted)

So in the meantime we have a review of the Cyprus songs and before I begin I would like to congratulate Cyprus on coming up with three really impressive songs. They were so good that I have to use a different marking scale to the last time. (The Higher Scale). As was already known Ivi Adamou is to sing all songs.

Call The Police - Finally a song that is worthy of Eurovision. There really is so much poor stuff at the moment this is developed and refreshing. However can Ivi pull it off. I think she should, but once we hear all the ESC songs this may not be strong enough. Grade: C+


I Don't Belong Here - This is good but it needs a stronger ending chorus just to lift it and make it a little anthemic. Otherwise a strong song. Grade: C

La La Love - I think that this song is the song we will see at Eurovision. It has the right disco sound to do well at Eurovision. This is just so balanced it is wonderful. The chorus is strong. However if it was not for the juries I would say that we are going to see Cyprus in the top 5. However they will only respect a song if the vocal performance is not just acceptable but goes above and beyond the call of duty. Grade: B+

I think what we are looking for from Ivi is very good vocals to match her strong songs. I expect if she delivers this then we are looking at Cyprus beating it’s previous highest placing. 

La La Love has emerged as the fan favorite (Poll, ESCDaily) After 816 votes: La La Love (71%); You Don't Belong Here (15%); Call The Police (14%). [Figures rounded]

Reaction to Latvian Semi-Final and some other points

So after a relatively uninteresting semi-final, but a fun night on twitter (Thanks to all), we have 5 songs out of Eirodziesma. The qualifiers were good with the exception of Andris Abelite who I thought was below par. I think PeR are the ones to watch from this semi-final. They came second with the juries, which means that they could do well. However I would think the song is over repetitive. 

The big disappointment for me was Laura Bicane and Romans Sladzis folk music which surprised me by how good it was. Naturally I was pleased to see Ruta Duduma make it through.

In other news.....

We have not got a list of participates from the EBU yet and we look forward to see if Armenia is on it. I think it is delayed because the EBU doesn't want politics dragged into Eurovision but a draw is expected around 16th January so we will be keeping a close eye on that.


A campaign video has been launched for Rick Santorum Nickolas Sarkozy Jedward? We are unashamedly supporting Jedward for Eurovision  and we think this is just great.

Review: Belarus

A word of warning: Unfortunately Belarus has decided that a contestant may change a song to another off a list. So I am reviewing these songs on the basis that they will not change.

Alena Lanskaya - While this does not seem note perfect this is a good rockish song. LOSE THE DANCERS. Otherwise it would have a lot of potential when it gets to Baku. Grade:

Uzari - Uninteresting. Goes nowhere. Grade: G

Gunesh - And morning will come seems like a reharsh of Butterflies. Except it does have those deep emotive notes. The song just doesn't build as it should. Very disappointing. Grade: E

Litesound - This is a little more schlager rock for me. The song has actually some depth to it. This could be a favorite due by picking up a few female votes and should appeal to males enough. I can really see this working in Baku. Grade: B+

Victoria Aleshko - A bit more dramatic, but a little too Disney. Needs a complete rework to have a hope in Eurovision but still can't see this being picked. Grade: D-

So on the basis of these results The Best Eurovision Blog is supporting LITESOUND for Eurovision. We wish them the best of luck. The National Final takes place in Belarus on 28^th January 31^st January. We are delighted by this because we may be able to provide commentary depending on the time.