News - The first Eurovision first semi final tonight! | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

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Written by

Barry Viniker

Published

20/May at 03:15

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esctoday.com

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Eurovision Song Contest Belgrade 2008 Serbia

First Big Poll preview

The first Eurovision first semi final tonight!

It's Tuesday 20th May and for the very first time, the first of two Eurovision Song Contest semi finals will take place. 19 countries will battle for a place in Saturday night's final. Nine will be put through by the televotes of viewers in the participating countries along with Spain and Germany from the big four. The tenth qualifier will be put through as the highest placed country according to the back-up juries that does not finish in the top nine places.

Many questions will be answered later today. Which countries will qualify, will the worry of voting patterns be ended or will there be further evidence of neighbourly, political and diaspora voting, who's hearts will be broken, who will gain momentum towards capturing the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest title?

According to esctoday.com readers, with one day to go, the Big Poll suggest that the ten qualifiers should be (in order)

  1. Russia
  2. Armenia
  3. Greece
  4. Norway
  5. Slovenia
  6. Romania
  7. Israel
  8. Ireland
  9. Andorra
  10. Poland

just missing out are:

  • Azerbaijan
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • The Netherlands

This can all change in the final day and many positions are still very close. Voting remains open until 17:00 CET, and many places are close, so if you haven't already registered your predictions on the outcome of tonight's First Eurovision Song Contest semi final, click here now to do so. Already over 5,500 people have made more than 100,000 predictions.

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Chris Nott [15276]
Wed 21 May 2008 18:30:12

I am concerned that the EBU's semi-final idea may have backfired.
Most of the winning songs last night were Eatern European again. I'm not anti-Eastern Europe and I wouldn't mind so much but briliant entries such as Andorra and Belgium should not have been left out in the cold.
They should do a 'Western' semi and an 'Eastern' semi. In that way, the contest will have a 50-50 share on the night.
Some will say a West-East split in the semis is divisive, but look at the possible repercussions - more Western countries pulling out and effectively destroying the essence of our great Contest.


Daniel Muscat [38215]
Wed 21 May 2008 15:34:34

I guessed 7 out of 10 xD! Glad that eurovision is back on track, and that most of the qualifiers have great songs!!


Lithuania 08 [43686]
Wed 21 May 2008 07:47:09

Moldova really derserved pass to the final :( .
Its so sad that Bilan in the final ;/


mer maid [34070]
Tue 20 May 2008 23:15:28

Except Finland I knew all the qualifiers!

Can't wait to watch 2nd semi-final
Go TURKEY


Ugly Betty [37735]
Tue 20 May 2008 23:00:25

@benjamin


because Serbs value quality songs
and because they are out LOL


Ömer-Pars Sahin [31771]
Tue 20 May 2008 22:55:52

my votes (with points, given by me) after the performances:
1. Netherlands 77
2. Russia 74
3. Greece 73
4. Aserbaijan 71
5. Armenia 70
6. Moldova 69
7. Slovenia 68
8. Poland 67
9. Israel 66
10. Andorra 63
-------------------------
11. Ireland 53
12. Montenegro 51
13. San Marino 50
14. Norway 47
15. Romania 30
16. Belgien 26
17. Finland 08
18. Estonia 05
19. Bosnia 03

My Top Ten changes absolutely with the performances tonight! The Netherlands was even not in my Top 15! But I am really impressed by Hint! And i am disappointed by Armenia and andorra, their voices were really bad tonight! I gave points for voice, performance, impression, clothes,....


Thom Breat [48793]
Tue 20 May 2008 22:48:49

I thought Israel was pretty impressive tonight, would be nice to see him qualify.


Benjamin Johnson [10217]
Tue 20 May 2008 22:47:26

Dustin!! Bril!!

Why there was lots of booing?


Ugly Betty [37735]
Tue 20 May 2008 22:45:31

ISREAL!!!!
my heart is with you tonight


lots of love from Macedonia




JOHN today [10570]
Tue 20 May 2008 22:41:58

On second thoughts, as Spain is voting tonight, Andorra may just qualify thanks to the Spanish vote...


Arabic scents [25108]
Tue 20 May 2008 22:41:24

Greece, Russia, Armenia, Moldova, Belgium, Romania, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, Poland to the final.
But I am afraid of Ireland and Azerbaijan.


JOHN today [10570]
Tue 20 May 2008 22:38:28

I think Bosnia will definitely be one of the ten qualifiers, but Andorra and Slovenia to do that well.
The disappointment of the night for me was Russia, what a bad performance. And I hadn't expected much from Greece, I still think the song is boring, but Kalo had an excellent performance.


Adalberto Iglesias [36606]
Tue 20 May 2008 20:51:40

i want bosnia to qualify!


Stockholm calling [44413]
Tue 20 May 2008 20:20:33

I hope that the Netherlands will qualify. Hind's rehearsals really impressed me.

And Azerbaijan, please.

Good luck to everyone!


DannyT [43795]
Tue 20 May 2008 20:12:31

I just wanted to know if we actually find out the ten that qualify or do we have to wait until the end of the second semi final


David James Toft [17627]
Tue 20 May 2008 20:11:45

Dear ESC Today
May I wish all the participating entrants in tonight’s first semi-final of two all the best of luck

Yours Truly


David James Toft
United Kingdom


Kevork Demirdjian [46038]
Tue 20 May 2008 18:22:27

the best songs in the 1-st semi are
1- Armenia
2-Greece
3-Russia
4-Romania
5-Slovenia
6-Poland
7-The Netherlands
8-Norway
9-Andorra
10-Israel
every body lets vote to Armenia dont forget, thanks to every body who will vote to Armenia...


Kevork Demirdjian [46038]
Tue 20 May 2008 18:19:32

the best songs in the 1-st semi are
1- Armenia
2-Greece
3-Russia
4-Romania
5-Slovenia
6-Poland
7-The Netherlands
8-Norway
9-Andorra
10-Israel
every body lets vote to Armenia dont forget, thanks to every body who will vote to Armenia...


serkan _Turkey [40233]
Tue 20 May 2008 17:13:44

FOR TONIGHT, GOOD LUCK MOLDOVA AND AZERBAIJAN.I BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL QUALIFY.


steve stevenson [14923]
Tue 20 May 2008 17:13:44

mipos xronometrithike parapano apo 2 lepta??? Den ksero paidia, makari na exete dikio, pandos kapia ksena sites parusiazun to dialeima afto os commercial!!! Kai malista lene, pos den xreiazotan afti i allagi anamesa sta dyo tragudia, kathos i Kalomira einai idi etoimi arketi ora prin kai perimenei sikomeni sta xeria ton xorefton! Eite einai diafimistiko, eite oxi, einai poli ypopto kai den exei kammia duleia prin apo to teleftaio tragudi.
Kai epeidi den eimai apo aftus pou vlepun drakus kai terata enandion tis Elladas xoris logo, theoro pos gia ola osa ginonde, yparxei mia aitia, yparxei mia eksigisi kai mia dikaiologia! ( pou leei kai to asma)


Björn Lin. [34445]
Tue 20 May 2008 17:06:34

These are the songs that, if I am right, will go to the final (they are not listed in any particular order):
-Ireland
-Armenia
-Russia
-Slovenia
-Norway
-Poland
-Netherlands
-Greece
-Romania
-Bosnia & Herzegovina
And let me say that, on good or bad, your who think Ireland and Estonia will finish near the bottom are completely wrong. Look back on recent contests and you'll see.


South guy [34883]
Tue 20 May 2008 16:55:33

andorra will not qualify :(


paul didden [19911]
Tue 20 May 2008 16:54:26

to the final:
Armania
Romania
Netherlands
Greece
Russia
Norway
Poland
Azerbaijan
Israel
Andorra

4 more hours to go ... hope everyone will have a great evening!!

Good luck to HIND!!


DK-Eiler Yiha [11411]
Tue 20 May 2008 16:54:05

My prediction of tonight!!!

1. Azerbaijan
2. Armenia
3. Russia
4. Romania
5. Moldova
6. Bosnia & Herzegovina
7. Montenegro
8. Slovenia
9. Estonia
10. Slovenia
11. Poland
12. Greece
13. San Marino
14. Andorra
15. Belgium
16. The Netherlands
17. Ireland
18. Finland
19. Norway


Jonny K [46883]
Tue 20 May 2008 16:51:49

Come on people, Ireland and the Netherlands have to qualify!!! It will be a travesty if they dont!!! :) :D :L

Vote Dustin and Hind!!! :L :D :L :)


aljaz _ [45224]
Tue 20 May 2008 16:48:39

Vote for Armenia and vote for Slovenia!!


steve stevenson [14923]
Tue 20 May 2008 16:47:01

Just adore netherlands song this year but will not make it to the final because of the votes of east european countries


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