And so it begins… my wooden spoon goes to a Nordic country! Iceland was the last Nordic country to join Eurovision (in 1986) and they remain the only Nordic country yet to win the contest. On this year’s showing, I don’t think there is much danger of that changing in Lisbon…

The very smiley Ari was a surprise winner of Iceland’s national selection; in fact, I don’t recall him being in top three most likely to win! But the Icelandic nation have clearly warmed to him and he was genuinely moved to have won. He’s the youngest male contestant this year, and the second youngest overall, so I hope he enjoys the experience.

I’m being as positive as I can, as I’m sure you will have realised from me putting this bottom of my personal top 43, I’m not a fan of the actual song. It may be Iceland’s song, but it certainly isn’t my song… It’s a dull, uninspiring, dated ballad and the live vocal doesn’t save this either.

Iceland have never won Eurovision and they certainly won’t this year. Already in the far tougher, semi final 1, I have a feeling that after the contest, we’ll see that this will have finished in last place in its semi. I can’t see this qualifying at all. Sorry Ari and Iceland!

Official music video (taken from live performance at Icelandic national final, Söngvakeppnin 2018):

Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest:

First entered: 1986

Appearances (excluding this year): 31

Best result: 2nd in 1999 and 2009

Last year’s result: 15th in semi-final (did not qualify)