On the eve of heading off to Lisbon myself, we finally reach my number 1 and it’s a country that had seen little success since its first win in the late 1960s until Conchita wowed and charmed Europe in equal measure in 2014. Their artist this year is also charming and humble and is gifted with a beautiful voice. The gorgeous Cesár Sampson, representing Austria, is my number one for Eurovision 2018. Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #1 AUSTRIA – Cesár Sampson – “Nobody but You””
Israel last won in 1998; they also won in 1978, and there is a good chance that Netta could maintain that twenty year cycle of victories. This stormed to the top of the betting odds when it was released and the music video went viral, with millions of views. But could Israel suffer the fate of Italy last year and France the year before that when the pre-contest favourite ended up coming 6th on the night?
Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #2 ISRAEL – Netta – “Toy””
The Czech Republic has but a few appearances at the contest, and has barely seen the grand final, with just one qualification and even then they ended up near the bottom. Suffice to say I think this year could be a very different story as they’ve got something really quite special this year. Can it live up to pre-contest hype and can the man behind their unlikely frontrunner status recover in time from a back injury incurred in rehearsals? Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #3 CZECH REPUBLIC – Mikolas Josef – “Lie to Me””
For a second year in a row, little Macedonia finishes in the Top 5 in the previews countdown – while last year wasn’t my own personal rankings, I would have had it in my Top 5 anyway, and a year on, Macedonia have done it again, making it into my Top 5. Can they overcome the problems they encounter in achieving qualification to the grand final this year? Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #4 F.Y.R. MACEDONIA – Eye Cue – “Lost and Found””
The song title may be “Under the Ladder” but this song has been going under the radar in the build up to the contest and in the betting odds. An oversight I think as this is one of the strongest songs in the contest (in my view) and Ukraine are the most successful of the “new” countries in Eurovision with two wins since 2004. Can last year’s hosts bring the contest back to Ukraine for a third time? Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #5 UKRAINE – Mélovin – “Under the Ladder””
One of the big fan favourites, and everyone’s favourite Finn, the lovely Saara Aalto finally makes it to Eurovision and she hasn’t wasted the opportunity, giving us a big party banger for the Eurofans to bop along to. Finland’s non-qualification for the final last year was widely regarded as one of the biggest travesties of last year’s voting – can Saara return Finland to the final? Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #6 FINLAND – Saara Aalto – “Monsters””
It’s the final member of the Big 5 in my countdown this year, and it’s my home country, 5-times winners, the United Kingdom. With a few exceptions, the last twenty years have been lean times for the UK but the amazing Lucie Jones took us to our best result in several years last year (and deserved even higher in my view), can Eurovision veteran and Twitter queen, the equally lovely SuRie keep up the momentum?
Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #7 UNITED KINGDOM – SuRie – “Storm””
Moldova proved a surprise package to many last year, achieving their best ever result and third place in the final. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been such a surprise, it was catchy, it was fun, it was Moldovan and they were very polished, experienced and slick yet also clearly enjoying themselves. I feel that their entry this year is similar in many ways in those aspects – underrated initially by the fandom, but as the pre-parties have gone on, it’s very clear they have another accomplished and fun package. Will it maintain their recent success at the contest?
Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #8 MOLDOVA – DoReDos – “My Lucky Day””
Sometimes you can tell a country is gunning to win Eurovision – in the late 2000s, it was Azerbaijan doing all they could to get the win (and which they achieved in 2011); in the last couple of years, it’s been Bulgaria who have been putting their all into winning, coming fourth in 2016 and runners up last year. All three times they have qualified for the final, they have finished in the top 5 – can they go one better last year and bring Eurovision to Bulgaria for the first time? Continue reading “Eurovision 2018 previews countdown: #9 BULGARIA – Equinox – “Bones””
