I have a full preview up on ESC Ireland but I think the following countries will qualify:

• Russia
• Serbia
• Croatia
• Hungary
• Greece
• Albania
• Switzerland
• Finland
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan

Turkey may make it also! Its my reserve pick!

You can make a prediction here! Theres no prize but its a bit of fun!

Also I will be hosting a liveblog over on ESCIreland.com from 7pm GMT covering the Semi-final! Do join us!

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On Saturday night, European Televoters and Juries voted Germany the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. This is the second time in the History of Eurovision that German of won the contest, see a history on escireland.com.

It now falls to the German broadcaster ARD to host the contest next year.

Throughout the voting on Saturday night many comments were passed about the fact that Europe was rewarding Germany for bailing them out and to the fact that Germany was probably the only country able to afford the Eurovision Song Contest!

In my own view, I loved the German entry from the first time I heard it. Satellite is an amazing song and Lena is an excellent singer with raw talent! So we are off to Germany next year! Hopefully I will be there!

On the Irish entry, I agree with Diarmy.

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The last time Ireland got to the Final from the Semi Final was back in 2006 when Brian Kennedy represented Ireland with “Every Song is A Cry for Love”. That finished 9th in the Semi and 10th in the final ensuring that Dervish started in the Final in 2007 (for all the luck it gave us, we ended up last with 5 points)

I think Niamh Kavanagh will do us proud this year, in fact she already has, and will hopefully do better then tenth. The way it has worked out in the draw though its going to be very hard to predict.

Niamh gave an excellent performance last night. I had goosebumps and even tears in my eyes during it. During the voting I was as nervous as hell. I cant remember being like that back in 2006.

So tomorrow night will be an exciting show. In the past I have said certain countries will win (Germany and Denmark) but to be quite honest I do not know now.

I can honestly say I haven’t been this excited during a Eurovison Song Contest since 1997! When I do remember the voting! So best of luck to Niamh!

PS: also join this page on facebook: Niamh Kavanagh to win Eurovision

Tonight sees the second of the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals. Again 17 countries are competing for 10 places in the Grand Prix on Saturday.

Tonight will also see Niamh Kavanagh represent Ireland for the second time. She is strongly tipped to qualify. Hopefully she will do us proud!

Again ESCIreland.com will be hosting a liveblog on the website and also here.

The running order for tonight can be found here and please make your predictions about who you think will qualify here!

Remember only the countries taking part plus the United Kingdom and Norway can vote tonight. You can vote 20 times and from the start of the show.

Come on Niamh!!!

So the time is upon us! Tonight sees the first of the live Eurovision Song Contest shows on our TV screens. It is starting at 8pm (RTÉ 2 and BBC3). The running order for Semi-final 1 is here.

ESCIreland.com will be running a live blog of the Semi and it should start around 7:30pm (Irish Time). Also take note to the changes to the voting this year! You can vote 20 times and voting starts with the first song!

Also do make your predictions on who will get through tonight and Thursday night! ESCIreland will be publishing the top ten countries and who ever selects the correct ten will be named!

Im excited!

Are you?

Do join us for the Live blog, it will be fun!

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So it is time to have a look at the final five entries in this years Eurovision Song Contest. It is time to look at the big 4 and last years winner. I will be marking these out of ten, as there is no prediction to make!

Spain – Daniel Diges “Algo pequeñito” (Something Tiny)

This is less poppy than Spains normal offering and it is growing on me. I love the circus theme to the video and it is influenced in the video. 7/10

Norway – Didrik Solli-Tangen “My Heart is Yours“

There has been some comparisons between Norway and Ireland this year and I think that is misplaced as Niamh’s song is so much better. I find this to be a very boring ballad. But ballads are everywhere this year so it will pick up a few points. and more fiddles at the end… hmmm… 4/10

United Kingdom – Josh Dubovie “That Sounds Good to Me“

The UK haven’t had a whole lot of good luck recently at Eurovision, so this entry is a nice song. Its easy listening and one to tap the foot along with. It could do well also. 6/10

France – Jessy Matador “Allez Ola Ole“

France went all experimental for a while and then went back to basics. This year they are entering a fast paced dance song, that will be heard at the world cup I would say! (no handball grudge here btw) Its a cool song. 8/10

Germany – Lena Meyer-Landrut “Satellite”

All I can say is this is in my top two songs this year (Denmark is the other one). This is an amazing entry from Germany, and Lena is an amazing singer. This song has already gone platinum in Germany. I love it, its catchy and has a good chance of winning this year! 10/10

So that is all the songs looked at. I can go back to concentrating on politics and other issues here until 22nd of May when the Semi-finals begin. In the mean time if you are a eurovision fan, head over to ESCIreland.com where you will find lots more Eurovision news and opinion.

Welcome to the second of my Preview and Prediction posts for this years Eurovision.  Today I am looking at Semi-Final Two which happens on Thursday 27th of May and features Ireland! This will be the one to watch for us! There are 17 entries in this Semi. It is also a very strong Semi, so it will be very competitive. This Semi also sees the UK and Norway voting.

On to the songs..

1. Lithuania – InCulto “Eastern European Funk“

This is a nice funky start to this semi. Its upbeat and fun. Could do well.

2. Armenia – Eva Rivas “Apricot Stone“

This is a nice song from Armenia. But the curse of second place may come haunting…

3. Israel – Harel Skaat “Milim“ (מילים, Words)

This is one of this years favourites and is currently third in the betting stakes. I can see why. Its a very powerful ballad, but it does stand out to the others. We see how it goes.

4. Denmark – Chanée and N’evergreen “In A Moment Like This“

This is my favourite of this years entries! There performance at this years Danish final was amazing! If they pull it off at Eurovision they are in strong contention to win. This just adds to my love of Danish entries at Eurovision!

5. Switzerland – Michael von der Heide “Il pleut de l’or“ (Its Raining Gold)

I don’t know what to make of this song… or him. Im totally confused…. I sort of like it though…

6. Sweden – Anna Bergendahl “This is my Life“

Wow, this is a very strong entry. I really enjoy it. A nice uplifting song. Fabulous vocals from Anna. Will do very well I think!

7. Azerbaijan – Safura Alizadeh “Drip Drop“

This another one of the favourites and I see why. It is a really good song. enjoyable and the backing dancers…. well….

8. Ukraine – Alyosha “Sweet People“

I am disappointed with the Ukraine’s entry this year. Gone are the energetic songs that they did so well with. I don’t like it.

9. Netherlands – Sieneke “Ik ben verliefd (Sha-la-lie)“ (I’m in Love (Sha-la-lie))

This seems to hark back to entries of bygone days for the Netherlands. Its a fun song though and different! I like it.

10. Romania – Paula Seling and Ovi “Playing with Fire“

This is a really cool song. You can see why this semi is a strong one now can’t you.

11. Slovenia – Ansambel Roka Žlindre and Kalamari “Narodnozabavni rock“

This song is a brilliant mix of modern rock and traditional balkan music. Its a bit of fun,and a good entry!

12. Ireland – Niamh Kavanagh “It’s For You“

Come on Niamh! This is a excellent entry from Ireland. Its catching ballad that really shows off Niamh vocal skills. Hopefully she will have the stage presence like she did in 1993!

13. Bulgaria – Miro -”Angel si ti“ (Ангел си ти, Your an Angel)

This is another good song. Fast paced and catchy.

14. Cyprus – Jon Lilygreen and The Islanders “Life Looks Better in the Spring“

This is a nice song. A gentle song with a nice chorus. I don’t think it will get out of the semi though.

15. Croatia – Feminnem “Lako Je Sve“ (Everythig is Easy)

So Feminnem are back. This time for Croatia, and this time with less of a pop song. It would seem that they have matured. Its a powerful song though.

16. Georgia – Sopho Nizharadze “Shine“

This is a nice gentle ballad. Sopho is an amazing singer.

17. Turkey – maNga “We Could be the Same“

Not a great fan of this song. Its okayish.

Prediction time! So ten of these entries will progress. My guesses are in no particlar order

1. Denmark
2. Sweden
3. Israel
4. Ireland
5. Romania
6. Georgia
7. Slovenia
8. Azerbaijan
9. Croatia
10. Cyprus

What do you think?

See Part one here

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So the first Semi Final will take place on Tuesday 25th of May. It features 17 countries and will also see France, Germany and Spain vote. The top ten countries on the combination of Televote and Jury Vote will move on to the Final on Saturday 29th of May.

So on to the preview. PS Click on the titles to see the video on youtube.

1. Moldova -  SunStroke Project and Olia Tira “Run Away“

This is a fast paced song which features an electric violin. Its a feature of Eurovision, what ever wins the previous year is mimicked the following year. This has yet to work for any country! But this song isn’t based too much on it and isn’t folksy like Fairytale. Its a good song and could do well.

2. Russia -  Peter Nalitch Band “Lost and Forgotten“

This is a different move for Russia. Russia normally goes for fast paced modern songs, but this entry seems to me to be folksy and slow paced. The have been drawn in second place which is notoriously difficult to do well from. I am not a big fan of it, but because its Russia, I think it will get through.

3. Estonia – Malcolm Lincoln and Manpower 4 “Siren“

This is very different from the first two songs of this semi. In fact its something that is quite different to most of the entries that I have heard. I can’t put my finger on what it sounds like, but I like it.

4. Slovakia – Kristina “Horehronie“

What starts off as a slow song, turns up the beat and gets going. The dancers remind me of Wild Dances, even Kristina’s outfit is reminiscent of it. Its not as fast, but its a good song.

5. Finland – Kuunkuiskaajat “Työlki ellää” (One can work for a living, too)

A second showing for fiddles! This is a very traditional sounding song from Finland, very different, from Waldo’s People last year. I like it. I love the outfits, and of course the clapping also help when it comes to me liking it!

6. Latvia – Aisha “What For?“

A modern ballad here from Latvia. Its good song, and I do like the words. It these type of songs that are impossible to tell how they will do. It can all come down to the performance on the night. I think it will do ok. Towards the end of the top 10, if it is to get through.

7. Serbia – Milan Stanković “Ovo je Balkan” (This is the Balkans)

If you didn’t guess from the title, this is a very balkans song. It is very traditional sounding, but it does have a modern feel it. It is catchy and you would tap your feet to it. With 3 other Balkan countries in this final (and Russia) it could do well on the televote. For some reason the outfit and hair remind me of Lady Gaga… I am alone on that aren’t I?

8. Bosnia and Herzegovina – Vukašin Brajić “Thunder and Lightening”

Finally a bit of rock ballad. I like this song. A song to nod your head to. Vukašin is a good singer also!

9. Poland – Marcin Mroziński “Legenda“

This guy reminds me of Johnny Logan (looks wise). Its a good song, it dosen’t really stand out for me though.

10. Belgium – Tom Dice “Me and My Guitar“

Wow, I love this song. Sorry, but this is the sort of stuff that I love to listen to. I am not sure how it will do. But I think it could do quite well.

11. Malta – Thea Garrett “My Dream“

Malta have decided to enter a traditional strong ballad this year. Its not exactly my cup of tea, and to be honest I am bored with ballads. Thea is a fantastic singer and can hit the high notes, it will depend on the her performance on the night.

12. Albania – Juliana Pasha “It’s All About You“

So Albania enter a song who’s video was definitely inspired by Lady Gaga. I think I hear fiddles in the back ground at some point, but I am not sure! Its a good song.

13. Greece – Giorgos Alkaios and Friends “OPA“

This is a nice mix of greek and modern. No fiddles but lit up drums (and a ringtone??) instead.

14. Portugal - Filipa Azevedo “Há dias assim” (Its one of those days)

This song reminds me of a Disney ballad. Yes she can sing, but  I don’t think it will well.

15. FYR Macedona – Gjoko Taneski, Billy Zver & Pejcin “Jas ja imam silata” (I have the strength)

A bit of a rock song here. Its good. How it will do is hard to tell, but the rapping could pick it up a few votes.

16. Belarus – 3+2 “Butterflies“

Ok, me being not a big fan of ballads, yada yada, yada, I actually like this song. Yes, scream hypocrite all you want. But it is easy to listen to and enjoyable! Admit it!

17. Iceland – Hera Björk “Je Ne Sais Quoi” (I don’t know what)

This is the last song of the semi and it will end the show on a high note. A fabulous singer with a great song!

So thats the 17 entries, so who do I think will get through/want to get through? In no particular order

1. Russia
2. Iceland
3. Serbia
4. Belgium
5. Greece
6. Latvia
7. Moldova
8. Macedonia
9. Bosnia and Herzegovina
10. Belarus

How many will I get right?

Some people have noticed a lack of blogging about Eurovision lately, and there are many reasons for that, college, work, etc. Well never fear, as I am back on the Eurovision blogging trail.

I have joined ESCIreland.com as a blogger and I will be doing the majority of my blogging on Eurovision over there, but I will continue to post my previews and (dire) predictions here.

So head over to ESCIreland.com and check it out.

Make sure you check out the Norway v Sweden video! Its amazing!

PS The Eurovision CD is out on May 7th!

So we have a few more acts chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo.

FYR Macedonia have chosen Gjoko Taneski ft Billy Zver & Pejcin with “Jas Ja Imam Silata”. I am not sure what to make of this song. It sounds like a bit of a rock ballad to me, until the rap bit. As I hate rap, this song doesn’t impress me

Malta have gone with Thea Garrett who will sing “My Dream” in Oslo. This is a ballad, it goes back to tradition of Maltese entries. Thea is a great singer and could do well if people swing back to ballads this year.

Slovenia have just chosen Ansambel Roka Žlindra & Kalamari with “Narodno zabavni rock”. This song tries to mix old and new. Brings back memories of Eurovisions of old at times. Its a bit of fun, but not a joke entry!

France has selected the singer it is sending to Oslo, and the lucky person is Jessy Matador. They will announce the song on the 5th of March.

This week will see Spain, Turkey, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Latvia select their entries.

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