We go from the Baltic to the Balkans, and it’s our first ex-Yugoslav country of the countdown. Slovenia initially did quite well at Eurovision but have struggled in recent years, with fairly infrequent success in getting to the grand final. This year marks the return of their 2005 contestant, Omar Naber. Can he send Slovenia through to the final?
Sadly, judging by the placing in this countdown, that’s going to be a tough ask. Omar has been to Kyiv before when Ukraine first hosted Eurovision. He wasn’t able to make the final back then (though came close) and I think history may repeat again I’m afraid. He’s got a strong live voice and in the Slovenian national final went completely without backing singers (very rare in Eurovision!) but his self-penned ballad isn’t going to set the world (or juries) alight and Slovenia doesn’t benefit from Balkan neighbourly voting in the way the others do.
Mum’s reaction: No comment
Once again, the official music video is also the live performance at the national final. He’ll be at London Eurovision in a few days’ time so I will post up video from there after the show.
Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest:
First entered: 1993
Appearances (excluding this year): 22
Best result: 7th in 1995 and 2001
Last year’s result: 14th in semi-final (did not qualify)
Such a shame that the song wasn’t a little stronger. He certainly has a great voice and is very easy on the eye. Can’t wait to see him on Sunday. Having heard quite a few other entries, I’m not sure I agree with such a low rating for this song.
I agree Phil, it’s a harsh position – not my personal one, but that’s how the average positions worked out from the YT rankings. “The will of the people” strikes again…