| Eurovision Song Contest News - 2008 Belgrade, Serbia 

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Hi all!
My name is Aidan from Dublin. I am a massive Eurovision fan and follow Melodifestivalen and other national finals very closely.
I adore schlager and love Carola, Linda Bengtzing, Nanne G,Sanna, Charlotte P, BWO, Lena P,Afro Dite, Fame, Nina+Kim, Kikki, Magnus, Ola, Velvet, Sandra O, LaGaylia, Sonja Alden, Shirley Clamp, After Dark, Caracola etc etc!!!! CHECK OUT MY NEW BLOG:

http://schlagerqueen.blogspot.com/




I'm just back from Eurosong in Limerick where Dustin created quite a stir! Donal was fantastic and is a great performer and lovely guy. Interesting bunch of songs selected over the weekend my fav being Isis Gee and Eurobandid both fab!! Looking forward to Melodifestivalen on Sat where we get to see Linda and Charlotte!!hope its going to be a great Eurovision in Belgrade!

Reviews 2008:
Ukraine

This shady lady has everything I want in a Eurovision winner. Its very catchy and her live performance is amazing (as seen in the Russian final). No question it will qualify and is a winner or at least top 3. I love it!!

San Marino

I was disappointed with this entry as I was expecting something stronger maybe an Italian ballad? Forgettable and will struggle to get points in my opinion.

Germany

No Angels were my favs from this National final and I was delighted they won. They need to watch their vocals and the poor draw also holds them back but its still one of my favourites but will unlikely pose any threat at top spot unfortunately.

Lithuania

Drivel! Really surprised this won for Lithuania. It pains me to listen to it bad bad bad.

Norway

I dont get what everyone loves about this. Its ok but in no way a winner. Even it isnt a popular opinion King of Trolls would have gotten Norway a good place. I dont see this qualifying.

Slovenia

A great entry from Slovenia fabulous performer and catchy song. Hopefully Rebeka will bring Slovenia a good score.

Croatia

I really didnt want this to win for Croatia and it baffles me as to why Croatia keep sending completely inadequate entries. No chance.

Bulgaria

Rising in popularity but needs a big improvement live to repeat success of last years entry.

Estonia

Ice cold story or 365 days could have represented Estonia.. need I say more!please say it has no chance of qualifying.

Greece

Kalomira borrows elements of Helena Paparizou’s performance circa 2005. A great position in the draw will guarantee a final place but I dont feel like its a deserved winner. Will be top 6 though I think.


Denmark

Simon is sexy has a great song and I would be happy to be off to Copenhagen next year but its unlikely. Hopefully like in 2005 it will surprise people and qualify.

Hungary

Could this be the dark horse of 2008? i really like it and hope it does well. Maybe a mix of hungarian and english would be a good option though.

Finland

Finland need to get over the rock thing! I dont feel this works and will be overshadowed by Turkey.

Ireland
Ok here goes.. Disappointed on the night that Dustin won as Donal or Leona were big favs of mine. As time goes on I obviously through my support behing my own country and would love the contest to be back in Dublin. The impact Dustin’s win would have would worry me and the ramifications for 2009 inc credible artists being discouraged from entering would be the main one. It will qualify. who knows how Europe will take this. The opening needs to be changed its a disaster. It is difficult to understand him particularly if your not from Ireland or Dublin! The stage act lokked too busy and a bit tacky but it will be interesting to see what changes will be made to it for May. It also looks like Spain responded well to Dustin when he was there this week.

Latvia

My favourite from their selection. The male vocals are poor but I like this song and even though it is probably classed as a comedy which i normally despise this works and could do well.

Czech Rep.

Again Tereza was my favourite from their selection. Difficult to say what kind of votes czech rep will get as they only have one other appearance to judge from (which was pretty dismal!) I would like this to do well and at least get top 10. Great radio song and that needs to be transmitted live in Belgrade.

Russia

Dima’s entry in 2006 was stronger but he has a massive chance at winning the whole lot due to his popularity in Eastern Europe. Great position in running order even though he didnt need it. Not in my top 5 but still its good. Get that boy a razor though!

Serbia

Oro will do really well. Powerful and makes a big impact.

Romania

A song that has grown on me and will score very well. Its no Dr. Frankenstein but i like it nonetheless! Romania is back on form.

Portugal

Probably Portugal’s best chance of qualifying in a long time particularly considering how close Sabrina got last year. It would be lovely to see them in the final but I dont think its that memorable.

Turkey

It has grown on me but a bit middle of the road for me.

Switzerland

I LOVE this! paolo is a great performer and I think this will get the jury vote in semi 2.This is a feel good song for me and it would be amazing if this won. Beautiful.

Malta

Morena is hoping to hear the hurt from Vertigo last year and the title may appeal to Russian voters I like it and would happily see this in the final. Needs a big strong show though in semi.

FYR Macedonia

Forgettable but FYR Macedonia could sing the phone book and qualify poor place though in final I think.Azerbaijian

The furry wings are the only positive thing about this awful screechy piece of noise!will probably qualify but i may have to throw up if it does!

Andorra

Gisela has a great entry but could suffer because she follows Dustin. I do think it needs a big key change to help it qualify. Unfortunately I cant see it qualifying

Belguim

I like this! has more of a hook than their other imaginary language song in 2003. The chorus has the feel good factor!difficult to tell how this will be received.

Bosnia

Is it a piece of conceptaul art or is it a crazy guy with a chicken?! Either way i dont mind it, its no winner but is different to others this year and if live performance is crazy enough will probably pull in a lot of votes. top 12 i reckon.

Armenia

Definately a big contender for victory this year Qele Qele is catchy, funky, has a great mix of musical styles. Sirusho will give her performance a lot of energy. Top 5.

Belarus

Ok even though everyone thinks the original version was better I think the rockier version improves it a bit. I thought live Ruslan was very static and stiff and would need to make big improvements for May. Everytime i think of the lyrics i think of Olexandr 2003 for Belarus which was catchier to say the least!

Sweden

A fabulous schlager entry for Sweden this year! This is what Sweden does best. Charlotte’s

performance is very strong and makes a big impact. The diamante microphone, rotating camera,

lasers and use of light all add to the impact of this catchy song. She may have not got a great

position in running order but I would be shocked if she didn’t qualify. A dererved winner in my

opinion.

Poland

Isis Gee’s unique voice stood out when I heard all the entries for Piosenka dla Europy. This is

definately the Shiri of 2008 and it a beautiful song. Isis needs to put a bit of work into her live

performance but when its tight this song could make a big impact. Isis deserves a top 3 position in

my opinion.

France

I was very impressed that France gave us something different this year. Sebastian Tellier has

divided opinion. I like the electro vibe in this song. My worry is that live it could be forgotten. The

performance will have to have a big impact and hook with the audience or else France could suffer

again. A 19th place in running order is to their advantage aswell.

Spain

Where to start?! This entry makes me angry! First of all I felt Spain had some amazing entries in

their myspace selection inc Mayte, La Casa Azul, Coral etc.. and any of these would have been

great entries for Belgrade. This entry is not funny, It does not have the comic value that Verka had

and the hystria that surrounds it worries me. As much as I would love if we were off to

Madrid/Barcelona next year I would be gutted if this won or even came close!!








My favs from National Finals 2008
Sweden
1. Charlotte/Carola+Andreas/Linda B!! Any would be fab to represent Sweden
2. BWO
3. Caracola
(Velvet should have got an Andra Chansen ticket!)

Iceland
1. Eurobandid
2.Mercedes Club
3. Magni+Birgitts

Norway
1. Lene Alexandra
2. Kind of Trolls

Finland
1. Cristal Snow
2. Jenna

Spain
1. Mayte
2. Coral and La Casa Azul

Germany
1. No Angels
2. Cinema Bizarre
3. Carolin

Denmark
1. Simon Matthew
2. Lars+Josefine

Estonia
1. Iiris Ice Cold Story
2. Birgit 365 days

Slovenia
1. Rebeka
2. Turbo Angels

Malta
1. Claudia 'Caravaggio'
2. Morena 'Vodka'

Ireland
1. Donal Skehan 'Double Cross My Heart'
2. Leona Daly 'Not Crazy After All'

U.K.
1. The Revelations 'Its You'
2. Michelle Gayle 'You make me (WOO)'

Greece
1. Kostas
2. Kalomira

Latvia
1. Pirates of the Sea
2. Download your dreams

Ukraine
1. 'Shady Lady'

Belguim
1. Tanja 'Addicted to You'
2. Katy 'Magical Sensation'

more to come...

Feel free to add me to msn/email givingitloads@hotmail.com
or on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/aidaneurofan

Well its Andra Chansen this weekend guys and I'm v excited. The line up looks like this:

Etype+The Poodles

Vs

Sibel

My opinion: This is an interesting one! As much as I think both are interesting entries 'Line of Fire' is the one that sticks in my head. Sibel impressed me on Saturday with her strong vocals and it could just come down to how many fans each have but I would go out on a limb and say..Sibel



Ola

vs

Caracola

Loving both of these. Ola's vocals were poor in semi but I think he is adorable and his fanbase will be strong. I was delighted Caracola qualified and I think this is a bouncy, happy song that gets the feel good hormones going! I would love them to get it but I reckon Ola has it by a landslide.



Carola+Andreas

VS

Nordman

My love for all things Carola are well done. They totally deserved to go direkt til Globen and I still think they are in contention to win on the 15th. No question they will qualify. Nordman were not bad in 2005 in 2008 they make me wanna gag!enough said..go burn witches somewhere else thanks very much!



Therese

VS

Suzzie

Probably the most difficult one to call. Therese has a strong performance and has the Carola flags and wind machine to aid her performance! Suzzie has an ok ditty but I'm still annoyed that Velvet didnt get this place and feel Suzzie got the place more on sympathy votes than on vocal performance. I would say Therese will get this one.

Then in Round 2

Sibel vs Ola= OLA

Androla vs Therese= Androla



CAROLA+ANDREAS AND OLA TO QUALIFY!!!

what you think???