10 May 2024

The second semi final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, continued the visual spectacular of the first semi final, and added even more: better song quality. It was always the stronger semi final, which was proved by looking at those that did not qualify, not just the actual ten that will perform in Saturday’s grand final. Belgium (Mustii – Before The Party’s Over) was the biggest contender to fall, while Denmark (Saba – Sand) and Malta (Sarah Bonnici – Loop) left us despite strong performances. We also lost a personal favourite in Czechia (Aiko – Pedestal).

The big guns like Netherlands (Joost Klein – Europapa) and Switzerland (Nemo – The Code) never looked a doubt once their performances finished, nor did Israel (Eden Golan – Hurricane) and Austria (Kaleen – We Will Rave). It can’t be a Eurovision semi final without at least one puzzling qualifier, and that was Latvia (Dons – Hollow). They were first to be called too, which portended some further jitters. Ultimately, it all went fairly predictable from there. Perhaps Armenia (Ladaniva – Jako) might be curious to some, albeit I had them in my top 10.

Results

Qualifiers (as announced)

09 Latvia – Dons – Hollow
06 Austria – Kaleen – We Will Rave
16 Netherlands – Joost Klein – Europapa
15 Norway – Gåte – Ulveham
14 Israel – Eden Golan – Hurricane
03 Greece – Marina Satti – Zari
13 Estonia – 5miinust x Puuluup – (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
04 Switzerland – Nemo – The Code
11 Georgia – Nutsa Buzaladze – Firefighter
08 Armenia – Ladaniva – Jako

Non-Qualifiers

01 Malta – Sarah Bonnici – Loop
02 Albania – Besa – Titan
05 Czechia – Aiko – Pedestal
07 Denmark – Saba – Sand
10 San Marino – Megara – 11:11
12 Belgium – Mustii – Before The Party’s Over

Review & Score

01 Malta – Sarah Bonnici – Loop (7)

Nothing wrong with this except it’s three years too late. In fact, it was a highly accomplished presentation and still felt quite fresh.

02 Albania – Besa – Titan (6)

A little nondescript and really offered no compelling reason to vote for it. The main highlight was the nice use of graphics to give the illusion of more people on stage. Besa telling the audience “sing with me, Europe” was curious, as no one knew the words.

03 Greece – Marina Satti – Zari (4)

I still don’t understand this. It presented well for a song that seems a mess.

04 Switzerland – Nemo – The Code (6)

Bizarre presentation and felt a bit chaotic and rushed, with too much crammed into the song. Vocals were good and it was innovative. Perhaps it, as one of the favourites, might resonate more in the grand final.

05 Czechia – Aiko – Pedestal (7)

Curious use of band footage on the floating screens when an actual band might have served the song better. The staging was a little odd all round. I guess that’s Aiko! I still enjoyed it and Aiko produced a big finale.

06 Austria – Kaleen – We Will Rave (9)

Too much to rave about! Spectacular with the laser lighting, and Kaleen filled the long bridge section of no vocals with some epic choreography. I cheered when Austria was called.

07 Denmark – Saba – Sand (8)

Loved the sand effects, both the actual sand in Saba’s hand and the background graphics. Saba looked like she was floating in the clouds, and was very popular in the arena. Uplifting song and excellent vocals. As to why it did not qualify, perhaps it was just too generic.

08 Armenia – Ladaniva – Jako (6)

Fun, ethnic song, lively performance, and Jaklin is so cute. I initially had San Marino in my top 10 before replacing them with Armenia.

09 Latvia – Dons – Hollow (5)

Nice song and vocals, and the giant ring was interesting. I guess that’s meant to represent something hollow. Then Dons just walked along the stage and sung. It felt very nondescript among this group.

10 San Marino – Megara – 11:11 (6)

Sensory overload here, especially the background graphics and the crazy characters both there and on stage. A shame, because most people would have missed a really good rock song in this.

11 Georgia – Nutsa Buzaladze – Firefighter (7)

A bit slow to warm to this despite so much heat happening. It’s a song I’ve always liked and Nutsa was strong vocally. Hoping to feel it better in the grand final. As second last called, they were relieved to reach the grand final. Clearly a big budget and a lot of effort went into Georgia’s entry this year.

12 Belgium – Mustii – Before The Party’s Over (7)

Completely flubbed the presentation. The circle of microphones should have been used in the finale, not in the early stages. It didn’t make sense. Vocally, seemed to be trying too hard. A shame, since it was my favourite song heading into Eurovision.

13 Estonia – 5miinust x Puuluup – (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi (6)

The usual fun performance, complete with some quirky dance moves. Got the crowd going.

14 Israel – Eden Golan – Hurricane (8)

No doubt Eden, like me, got a little distracted trying to read the crowd reaction at the start. I soon became enamoured as Eden Golan soared to great heights with her haunting vocals and a powerful finale.

15 Norway – Gåte – Ulveham (6)

I actually appreciated this more than the national final performances despite it initially feeling a bit lost following Israel. Perhaps I’m getting used to the wailing that dominates the song’s latter stages. Excellent stage presence and top vocals.

16 Netherlands – Joost Klein – Europapa (8)

So much fun and well packaged was this and oh, so, sentimental at the end as the song is a tribute to Joost’s papa. Perhaps vocals could be stronger would be the only minor criticism.

My Top 10

Austria 9
Israel 8
Netherlands 8
Denmark 8
Czechia 7
Malta 7
Georgia 7
Belgium 7
Switzerland 6
Armenia 6

Then…

San Marino 6
Albania 6
Norway 6
Estonia 6
Latvia 5
Greece 4

From my Top 10 before Eurovision, the only changes are Albania and San Marino out, Armenia and Malta in. Only 6 of my favourites reached the grand final, with Belgium, Czechia, Denmark and Malta all missing out. Estonia, Greece, Latvia and Norway took their place.

In terms of actual predictions, I suspected Czechia and San Marino would not qualify, to be replaced by Greece and Norway. I also did not pick Latvia (few did), who qualified ahead of Albania. I picked 7 out of 10, which is my normal strike rate. In the easier and more predictable first semi final, I picked 9 of 10.

With an average score of 6.6, this semi final rated much better than the 6.2 of the first. Still not a super high score (around 7 is the mark) and that’s likely because a few songs didn’t hit the mark (like Belgium) or were not quite a 9 (Israel and Netherlands). I’m probably holding back a fraction to leave room for higher scores in the grand final too.

Grand Final Preview

Sweden – Marcus & Martinus – Unforgettable
France – Slimane – Mon amour
Germany – Isaak – Always On The Run
Italy – Angelina Mango – La Noia
Spain – Nebulossa – Zorra
United Kingdom – Olly Alexander – Dizzy

Of the grand finalists that performed live during the semi finals (an excellent idea), Sweden and France stood out the most, and that’s despite Sweden mostly a reprisal from the national final. The boys did utilise all of the stage to create an even grander finale. France was vocally stunning and gained many new admirers. The crowd loved Spain, while I’m still not feeling Italy. UK was very “gay” (albeit with some innovative staging) while Germany started well and then walks, walks, walks by the end.

The betting market has Croatia the big favourite, with Israel second and Switzerland third. France has improved to fourth, then Ireland fifth, followed by Ukraine, Italy and Netherlands. Netherlands, as only eighth favourite, is a curious one given it is a major fan favourite. I guess punters are just so wary of a low jury vote. As for Israel, punters no doubt understand that there’s plenty of sympathy for Israel, especially in response to some of the crazed hostility. It doesn’t take much of the vote to actually win either, with 10% earning a top 5 position and 15% winning (as per Sweden in 2023).

The running order always gives clues to the potential winner and, here, Netherlands, who drew a producer’s choice, has been jammed early in position 5. Israel follows at 6, which could be a way to negate their chances. With Ireland at 10, it could also be the producers trying to create two blocks of favourites: an early one and a later one. In the later block, Switzerland is juicy at 21, Croatia extra juicy at 23, and France is at 25. Austria gives us the banger finale.

Grand Final Prediction

Croatia – Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim
Switzerland – Nemo – The Code
Israel – Eden Golan – Hurricane

Nothing changes from my preview. I’m not sure France will get enough votes from the public, while Netherlands is a big doubt for jury votes.

I hope Croatia wins. They were clearly the best of all 37 songs that have now performed live, and it would be nice for a new country to win. Rim Tim Tagi Dim!

Malmo 2024: Semi Final 1 Review

Malmo 2024: Full Preview, Betting Odds & Predictions