We’re back to the Balkans as we head into the 39 to 30 stretch of the countdown. Croatia finished very high in last year’s countdown (an overinflated 6th place) but in the end finished in the bottom 5 of the grand final (though at least they qualified). Will it be the opposite case this year, a low position in this countdown but higher in the actual event?

While this may surprise, I would anticipate that this won’t make it out of the semis. It’s a very odd song with Jacques singing a duet with himself – one voice in English and sung at regular register, the other in Italian as an opera singer. How that would work live on stage is a mystery as we haven’t yet seen a live performance of this so that might change this song’s chances. I doubt it though!

The song itself doesn’t especially appeal to me – it’s sort of a schmaltzy and inferior sounding “Let It Go”. Jacques may have some work to do as well in winning over Eurofans given comments he has made in the past about the LGBT issues which led him to being described as “bigot of the decade” by Croatia’s main LGBT group in 2011 (though in response to that he has described himself since then as “gay-friendly”).

Mum’s reaction: “Good grief”

No live performances as yet – which makes it all the more mysterious on how this is going to be presented and sung!

Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest:

First entered: 1993

Appearances (excluding this year): 22

Best result: 4th in 1996 and 1999

Last year’s result: 23rd