it did not end happily for Poland. Luna with the song “The Tower”, despite the titanic work she has done in recent weeks, did not make it to the finals of the competition. We won’t see her on Saturday. However, Eurovision does not stop – someone has to lose for someone else to win. The next stages of qualifying are still underway, and Thursday’s second semi-final is ahead of us. We will hear as many as 16 songs and this time as many as six countries competing in the race for the Crystal Cup will be eliminated. This is where the main competition of this year’s winner Croatia – Switzerland – will appear. The Netherlands, Israel and Belgium can also score very high. And who else? Together with Marcin Wolniak from the Plotek.pl editorial office, we decided to check what will play at Eurovision on Thursday and what are its chances of reaching the Final.
Eurovision 2024. Great Switzerland, crazy Netherlands, phenomenal Greece
On Thursday, 16 countries will compete, but we will hear as many as 19 songs. This is the result of the so-called performances joining the semi-finals. the “big five”, which enjoy automatic promotion to the final stage of the competition. On Tuesday, Great Britain, Germany and Sweden (last year’s winner) sang, while Italy, Spain and France will also perform on Thursday.
1. Malta, Sarah Bonnici, “Loop”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. It’s terribly cheap and not modern. I don’t think Malta would have saved her performance with a dance interlude, because that’s the only thing that can do anything here. This is a very old and fake Aguilera, 3/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl. Eurovision mush, as if generated by AI. Put together from many different songs from years ago and not very interesting. It doesn’t catch on anymore. Malta can do much better, 4/10.
2. Albania, Besa, “Titan”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. Radio, more radio, Albania. It is not an extraordinary hit, rather a monotonous song that does not move much. 4/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl. Albania sends almost identical songs almost every year – a singer with a similar voice, pompous arrangements and an average tempo of the song. This year is better. Not that it’s a revelation right away, but it’s progress. The bookmakers may surprise themselves here and there will be a promotion, 6/10.
3. Greece, Marina Satti, “Zari”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. OK, this is such a cool look at modern Greece that I’m extremely curious to see how Marina Satti will fare on the Eurovision stage. This is what Eurovision should look like – not generic pop that says absolutely nothing about the country performing, but something completely unique, inimitable and at the same time modern. No other country could show this, only Greece. I support you very much. 10/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl. My big Greek Eurovision. A very fresh, expressive and original approach to contemporary pop. A musical combo, as crazy as a holiday with a Greek family. I’m for it. 9/10.
4. Switzerland, Nemo, “The Code”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. Croatia’s main competition. There will be a final for sure, the question is which place – second or first? Nemo is great, 9/10. Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl Definitely one of the best vocalists in this year’s competition. Alternative is doing better and better at Eurovision, and that’s good. Although there is a thin line between what is delightful and what is irritating, I was captivated by the stage performance with this piece. 9/10.
5. Czech Republic, Aiko, “Pedestal”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. It’s a bit Maneskin, a bit polite Ireland. A bit too weak for the finale, because why give polite Ireland when we have the real one at home. 5/10 because it’s a nice song, but nothing will come of it.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl Czech Republic weaker than usual. It’s not very revealing. 4/10.
6. Austria, Kaleen, “We Will Rave”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. Umc, umc, umc, Austria is going to party. This works very often. Additionally, there is more music and rhythm than singing. But this song takes us back, like Iceland, at least 20 years, so I have no qualms about giving it a 4/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl Such songs did not do well at Eurovision at all. Let me remind you of Cascada. Very clumsy disco. For me, such aesthetics is a symbol of musical embarrassment and cheapness. 3/10.
7. Denmark, Saba, “Sand”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. Are there any cooler options this year? Are. Is there anything special about Denmark? Not particularly. Just the kind of “slightly tiring hits” to listen to. 4/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl There’s space in it and it’s quite catchy. Perhaps a few years ago this song would have been considered a potential winner, but it’s a bit of a thing of the past. Without a doubt, however, I prefer such a proposal from Denmark in the final than songs from Austria, the Czech Republic or Malta. 6/10.
8. Armenia, Ladaniva, “Jak”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. A duel between Croatia and Armenia would be something in the Eurovision final. For me it’s a lovely hit, 8/10. I keep my fingers crossed for Ladaniva, since we gave high place to Croatians, Armenia should also be rewarded for its idea in the same style.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl Case similar to this year’s Greek song. There’s a lot of folk flavor and tradition in it, with a feminist message at the same time. You might like it, but I definitely prefer the song from Greece. 7/10.
9. Latvia, Dons, “Hollow”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. Sad, gloomy, with a harmony in the chorus that doesn’t really appeal to me. It probably won’t be the final. 5/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl A talented singer and a pretty good song. The chorus is a bit disappointing, it could have been developed more interestingly. I would give the promotion myself, but the viewers’ vote (jury points count this year only in the final) may be difficult. 6/10.
10. San Marino, Megara, “11:11”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. If we gave Ireland a place, why don’t we give it to San Marino? Exactly. Megara from San Marino has no connections, she sings not in Italian, but in Spanish, and she represents San Marino because Spain decided not to send them to the competition. It’s a bit sad, a bit understandable. 4/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl One of this year’s weakest songs. A bland composition that will pass completely unnoticed. A singer who would like to appear on stage, but has nothing to make an impression. Unfortunately. 2/10.
11. Georgia, Nutsa Buzaladze, “Firefighter”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. There is a dance interlude, there is a party, there will probably be a finale. 7/10. The quality of this song doesn’t matter much.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl There have already been plenty of songs like this at Eurovision. They usually fly by and are quickly forgotten. If he advances to the final, he won’t win anything there anyway. 5/10.
12. Belgium, Mustii, “Before the Party’s Over”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. This kind of slightly sad songs, as long as they are sung well (and this one is), do very well at Eurovision. 7/10, there will be a Final.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl This is a pretty decent song. I like the aesthetics and timbre of the singer’s voice. I wish Belgium to advance. 7/10.
13. Estonia, 5miinust & Puuluup, “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (kull) midagi”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. Estonia would like to be a bit like last year’s Finland, a bit like Russia’s Little Big, which will no longer perform at Eurovision. It’s so Slavic it hurts. It amuses me a lot, I don’t understand anything at all, but will the rest of Europe like this style? 9/10 for following the Estonian heart and being willing to take risks. I’m afraid it’s too much for Eurovision.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl Estonia wanted to be expressive and different, but it turned out very chaotic. With such alternative sounds there is a risk that what was supposed to be interesting ends up being irritating. I probably won’t want to come back to this song. 4/10.
14. Israel, Eden Golan, “Hurricane”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. Given the situation in the Gaza Strip, I cannot in good conscience rate Israel’s songs.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl In my opinion, Israel should be withdrawn from the competition by the EBU this year. So I decided not to evaluate the Israeli proposal.
15. Norway, Gate, “Ulveham”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. It’s strange that this is not an offer from Iceland. Norway knows how to play Viking sounds, Gate has a wildness to it, and the song makes perfect sense. 7/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl. I understand the concept and the premise, but it doesn’t appeal to me. A lot of time has passed since Alexander Rybak’s victory (15 years!) and the Norwegians certainly want to win, but this is not the way. 5/10.
16. Netherlands, Joost Klein, “Europapa”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. The Netherlands borrowed Kaarija from Finland and this is “Europapa”. A total satire on Eurovision itself and Europe. What I love about Eurovision is that each year can bring a 180-degree change in the representatives in a given country. Holland once sings “Arcade”, once sends the wonderful “De Diepte”, and then suddenly hits a sensitive spot with “Europapa”. 8/10, final.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl In recent years, an outpouring of the so-called joke entries is getting bigger and bigger. The point is to do it right. And the Dutch do it. It’s funny, but at the same time it’s very addictive. “Europapa” may be high. 8/10.
France, Slimane, “Mon Amour”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. In Europe, all you need to do is sing “Mon Amour” to get a high score in the final. If only Slimane also makes such longing sounds on stage, it will be a high note. I’m not a fan, but unfortunately – 8/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl The French last won Eurovision in 1977 (sic!). After the success of Barbara Pravi from “Voila”, they believed they could do it again. As a fan of French songs, I really keep my fingers crossed for this. This pompous, dramatic song is a bit of a return to Eurovision traditions, but it also stands out very much in this year’s competition. Slimane has fantastic vocals. Viva la France! 10/10.
Italy, Angelina Mango, “La Noia”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. What a blast, Italy knows how to make a hit. There is everything here except la noia, i.e. the titular boredom. Great! 9/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl It must be admitted that the Italian San Remo is still doing great, since every year really good songs from this festival enter Eurovision. “La Noia” is one of the most hit songs in this year’s competition. European radio stations may play it during the holidays. Fingers crossed. 9/10.
Spain, Nebulossa, “Zorra”
Magda Walma, Kultura.gazeta.pl. The Spanish proposal is a time travel into the distant past. It also reflects a certain state of mind of the Spaniards themselves, who sent the owner of a beauty clinic to Eurovision. The song is hard to get out of your head and that’s its only advantage, 6/10.
Marcin Wolniak, Plotek.pl It’s never too late for Eurovision? There were voices that the Spanish sent a pensioner to Eurovision, but (not to mention) Mery Bas from the Nebulossa duo is only five years older than Justyna Steczkowska. “Zorra” is my guilty pleasure this year. It’s getting mercilessly confusing. It could also go viral on TikTok. I will shyly say that I like it. 8/10.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
