Back to BBC3 tonight for the second semi-final, by far the stronger heat. It's all to play for and I would only rule out Slovenia completely, so the vocal and visual impact on the night will have more importance than ever. With that in mind, I shall stick to my tradition and give you my predictions. They have ranged from impressive to average in the past, but could this be the time I fail dismally? Possibly: Lithuania, Armenia, Israel, Denmark, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Croatia, Georgia, Turkey.

Watch out for the Swiss guy. He has an ear for music, well two actually. He won't win the contest hands down, but he'll surely win it ears down.

Once more, enjoy the show!

The Swiss guy could hang glide off the Matterhorn without a glider!!

The Israeli boy has rather a good voice, Sweden could do better than most but Azerbaijan remains the one to beat.

Israel was a good voice but i thought the song was awful.

Sweden out - quite a shock.

Ukraine in with an awful song but an amazing performance. This song i believe was a last minute replacement for the original chosen song. This decision was made by the incoming government of the Ukraine. If only Camerclegg had done the same with the UK song.

yes they make such an effort to pick their song but I think it's always a mistake to put someone from a pop idol competition into an event like this. People at home are used to voting for them and do and the rest of Europe doesn't quite get it.


Fanpower must have got Ireland through as she looked like a distressed aubergine and sang badly, but good luck to her. UK will surely finish last. Mr Waterman clearly knows nothing about eurovision and has just given us one of his piss weak 80s pop tunes and a singer with no charisma at all. A straight battle with France and Spain for last place methinks !

Azerbaijan has been drawn first in the final. If the voting is open from song one then they probably have it in the bag but watch Belgium !

So - who will win? Cast your votes now!

Azerbaijan may have one of the best songs in this year's competition sung by one of the most beautiful women ever seen in the history of eurovision. However I cringed at her performance in the semi final and cannot see victory unless there is a serious improvement.

JK2006 wrote:
So - who will win? Cast your votes now!
I think it will be a straight fight between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and fight is an appropriate word with those two countries. It would be amusing if they both just lost out to another song by giving each other nul points. I have gone for speculative bets at good odds this year, so maybe everyone could vote for Norway, Turkey, Belgium and Denmark for me. You are officially allowed to vote twenty times during the course of the evening.

It will be interesting to see what effect this new system will have on the outcome. This is why I have gone for Denmark who perform last. One would imagine that being able to vote from the first song would have the opposite effect but this has been trialled at Junior Eurovision and the dance contest and I think with only one exception resulted in the last act winning.

Unlike most, I quite like this year's contest and am really looking forward to it. It will be the first time since 2001 that I have not been at the venue. Sad in one respect, but it was invented as a televisual spectacle after all. It should certainly be more interesting than Norway's landslide last year.

I believe Armenia will win but Turkey, Albania, Ukraine and Denmark all have serious outside shots in my opinion.

I was thinking Denmark as well. Its not very original, sounding like Tina Turner, The Police and John Waite but its singalong quality and draw may see it do well. Think it could be a hit as well cos it is soooooooo annoying. Been humming it for weeks.

HitMaker wrote:
Azerbaijan may have one of the best songs in this year's competition sung by one of the most beautiful women ever seen in the history of eurovision. However I cringed at her performance in the semi final and cannot see victory unless there is a serious improvement.

Totally stunning. Evanescence like with a better voice than Amy Lee. She has won me over.

If she does not win then the winner has to be very special.

Watching it live, Belgium is far and away my personal favourite so far.

Like Turkey a lot too.

I've decided I like France too.

Goodness me, I missed a lot of the finalists - I like the Russian entry too.

I went off my early tip Germany but little Lena is so sweet I've gone back on it again.

germany - wonderful song + girl !

Best voice and best performance by miles - Israel.