1. MontenegroA very strange entry from Montenegro. Although it has nothing special, I find it a nice song in general. But would this be good enough to pass through the semi??? Well, in my opinion, with so many better and more unique songs in the semifinal and with Montenegro performing on the first spot, it will be very very difficult for the viewers to remember that tune until the end of the show. Prediction for the SemiFinal: 14th-17th (will not qualify)
2. Israel Boaz's really mellodical voice and Dana's name are the two big advantages of that song. A really boring intro, quickly gives its place to a magical refrain with a nice tune. I believe that the very bad draw will not stop Israel's way to the finals, even if that would need the help of the jury voters. Prediction for the Semifinal: 9th-11th (possible qualifier)
3. Estonia I'm really tired of such stupid gimmick entries and I hope Europe will be too. With Dustin the Turkey, Pirates and Chiki Chiki it would seem impossible to me this entry to pass through the semi. However, I cannot be 100% sure about that but I hope I will be! Prediction for the Semifinal: 16th-19th (will not qualify)
4. Moldova And yes!!! The 90's are back...These could easily be the 1986,1987,1988,1989 entry of Moldova in the ESC. With similar successful last year's entries a lot of countries including Moldova have chosen "A Century of Love"-style entries and therefore few are going to pull it off to the final. I'm afraid that Moldova is not one of those, unless the juries disagree. Prediction for the Semifinal: 13th-15th (will not qualify)
5. San Marino San Marino's "maiden" entry in the Eurovision Song Contest might end up successfully. Statistics show that countries participating for the first time make it to the final as a... "welcoming gift" sometimes. With Complice not being a strong song this can be harder but I believe that we will see Miodio performing in the final. Prediction for the Semifinal: 11th-13th (might not qualify)
6. Belgium Another 90's entry...Nevertheless, this is mellodical and quite catchy, and the made-up language is a real advantage for the song (second try for Belgium). Definetely not one of my favourites, but I won't be at all surprised if this qualifies to the final and in a good spot. Prediction for the Semifinal: 8th-10th (possible qualifier)
7. Azerbaijan The first strong song from the beginning of the Semifinal, and with Azerbaijan competing for the first time this is gonna surely qualify to the final, unless Elnur and Samir pull out an awful vocal performance such as the one in their national final. It can go pretty high depending on the stage act, but definetely not a winner. Prediction for the Semifinal: 5th-7th (will qualify)
8. Slovenia Rebeka is really gorgeous on stage, but the song is really average. A superb performance will see this song qualify thanks to her beauty and the stage act. But it's up to there. A Top 10 place in the final seems harsly difficult to me. Prediction for the Semifinal: 8th-9th (possible qualifier)
9. Norway Great song, great voice, great performance. I don't have any doubts about this entry qualifying to the final. The point is that if Maria Haukaas gives a supremme performance in the final, I won't be surprised to see this song in the top-10. Prediction for the Semifinal: 4th-6th (definite qualifier)
10. Poland A really nice song with a beautiful performer. Poland doesn't make it traditionally to the final but this new formatt might help and Isis Gee has all the pottential for a place there. It will struggle but in my opinion will pass. Prediction for the Semifinal: 10th-12th (possible qualifier)
11. Ireland Here we go again!!! I would never expect such an entry from Ireland. However, this is the best comedy act of the night and has a "tune" and "beat" whatsoever! With Dustin having so many fans around Europe and with douzens of kids watching the show, it will be easy to qualify to the final unfortunately. I hope it doesn't score a lot of points there. Prediction for the Semifinal: 2nd-4th (definite qualifier)
12. Andorra Casanova is a very interesting entry from Andorra and I think time has come for a place in the final. With so many mediocre songs in this semifinal, it is not difficult for the song to make the difference. It has a nice rythm and beat and a catchy tune, that attracts voters. With Spain voting in the same semifinal that means a definite 12 for Andorra it will need only 40 more points to go through. However, things will be very difficult in the final as there are better songs in the same style from Sweden, Iceland, Ukraine, etc. (note that we have never seen a live performance of the song until now). Prediction for the Semifinal: 6th-9th (will qualify)
13. Bosnia & Herzegovina A very strange entry, something between a normal song and a comedy act. I am really confused, but with 10 out of 19 songs qualifying to the final I believe this entry with a clever stage act and a funny vocal performance can make it to the finals. Elvir Lakovic Laka, the singer, is quite famous in the Balkans, as far as his biography is concerned, and that will count as a bonus. Prediction for the Semifinal: 7th-10th (will qualify)
14. Armenia I am very confident about Armenia. Using the successful recipe of 2006, the country's first eurovision act, sends Sirusho with an ethnic-flavoured song to Eurovision. The song is very catchy if you hear it for the first time and this will help Armenia to qualify to the final. However, I think that it gets quite boring and repetitive every time you hear it again and that's a serious drawback for the final. I won't be surprised to see Armenia getting her favourite 8th place once again there. Prediction for the Semifinal: 4th-6th (definite qualifier)
15. The Netherlands Same style song with previous entry, Armenia. Only one of these two songs will make it to the final as time has seen, and I believe that this will be Armenia. However, the new formatt this year might help the Netherlands qualify (after 3 consequent years they failed) to the final, thanks to the jury. Prediction for the Semifinal: 10th-13th (might not qualify)
16. Finland Mercy, mercy, mercy!!! I hope Finland will stop sending such entries to Eurovision after their win with Hard Rock Halleluiah (2006) soon. It seems impossible to me a song like that qualifying to the final, and this might help Finnish think better about their next entry if they want to pass through the semifinal again. Prediction for the Semifinal: 16th-18th (will not qualify)
17. Romania As we are heading towards the end of the night things are getting hotter and hotter from spot 17th and on. Romania has a wonderful song this year, somehow unique, and two exceptional voices. There might be a lot of ballads this year but this makes for sure the difference. It will lose some of its magic due to Russia and Greece following but will definitely go through. Prediction for the Semifinal: 2nd-4th (definite qualifier)
18. Russia Russia was quite sure about a place in the final long before the country chose promiscuous Dima Bilan (Athens 2006-2nd place) and Believe for ESC. Now, it has every reason to hope for a first place in the Semifinal and why not the final. However, this would require an excellent stage appearance but mainly vocal performance from Dima Bilan, something I haven't seen in the country's national final. Prediction for the Semifinal: 1st-3rd (definite qualifier-possible winner)
19. Greece Greece is the most successful country after the introduction of the Semifinal back in 2004 and will continue being after Kalomira's appearance in Belgrade. The song, unique in it's kind this year, has an American style Eurovision always gasped for. The lucky draw will also help, as Greece will "steal" some points from previous Dima Bilan. It will definitely pass to the final and I believe that if Kalomira pulls out a proffesional performance there, we will see Greece scoring it's second Eurovision victory after 3 years. Prediction for the Semifinal: 1st-2nd (definite qualifier-possible winner)
Concluding, my definite qualifiers are Greece, Russia, Romania, Armenia, Ireland and Norway (6 countries). That means we need 4 more to complete the top 10, including: Azerbaijan, Slovenia/Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina/Belgium and Israel.
