Critics of EM12 by Márcio

Well, this time EM travelled up to North to Malmo, Sweden. A record number of 35 countries are participating with the newcomers Luxembourg and Belgium, without any country withdrawing, but with a disqualification: Russia.

Because of the great number of participations, there were 2 semi-finals. Sweden, Norway and France are already in the final because they were the top3 last edition.

In the first semi-final we had 16 countries:

1.Iceland  Hera Björk - "My heart"   
2.Croatia  Massimo - "Iz jednog pogleda"  
3.Serbia  Funky G - "Tequila"  
4.United Kingdom  McFly - "The Heart Never Lies"  
5.Finland Hanna Pakarinen - "Go Go" 
6.Monaco  MylèneFarmer - "Lonely Lisa"  
7.Estonia Kerli - "Army of Love" 
8.Greece Shaya - "Lene" 
9.Latvia Lauris Reiniks - "Sunrise"  
10.Armenia Silva Hakobyan - "Sasna Par"
11.Turkey Murat Boz - "Özledim"   
12.Cyprus  Nikki Ponte - " I don't wanna dance alone" 
13.Italy Eros Ramazzotti & Cher  - "Piu che puoi" 
14.Moldova Florin Chilian - "Zece"  (poll qualifier)
15.Azerbaijan  Səbinə Babayeva - "Röya Kimi" 
16.Albania  Alban Skenderaj Feat. Miriam Cani - "Somebody Hurts"  

In the second semi-final we had another 16 countries:

1.Denmark Aya - "Best Thing I Got" 
2.Ukraine Nikita - "2012"     
3.Spain  Fangoria - "Bailando"  
4.Lithuania Simona Milinytė - "One of a Kind"  
5.Slovakia Peter Bič Project - "Hey Now" 
6.Russia МакSим - "Осколки" 
7.Belgium  Milk inc. - "Shadow"    
8.Romania  Raluka - "Out Of Your Business" 
9.Bulgaria Andrea & Costi - "Neblagodaren"    
10.Luxembourg  Nolwenn Leroy - "La Jument de Michao"  
11.Netherlands  Caro Emerald - "A Night Like This"  
12.Israel  Shiri Maimon - "Le'an Shelo Telchi"   
13.Portugal Vânia Fernandes - "Tudo me Dobra Pena"  (poll qualifier)
14.Ireland  Imelda May - 'Mayhem' (poll qualifier)
15.Germany Glasperlenspiel - "Echt" 
16. Poland Video - "Bella" 


(In red, the countries that qualified by the voting; in blue, the countries that passed the Second Chance Vote)

Now, my opinions of the musics by order of presentation in the final.

1.Italy Eros Ramazzotti & Cher  - "Piu che puoi"

 Italy sends two great voices from modern music together: a sign that they really want to win for the 3rd time! Besides some parts where Cher's voice fails, the song it's very good and it can get a good place in the votings.

2.Romania  Raluka - "Out Of Your Business"  

Trying to win for the second time, Romania sends an actual disco theme, but personnaly, it won't go too further in the scoreboard.

3.Iceland  Hera Björk - "My heart"    
Iceland puts hope in his 2010 Eurovision representant, Hera Bjork, with a song that can be enough rated to a top 10.

4.France Edith Piaf - "La vie en rose"  

In EM11, Edith Piáf brought a 3rd place for France. Now, she's trying to get an even better score with "La Vie En Rose". Not better that "Non, Je ne Regrette Rien", but it will get a top 5 place.

5.Sweden  Loreen - "Sober" 

Trying to win for the second time in a row, Sweden plays at home with a disco song, very different from last edition. A top 10 is guarenteed, in my opinion.

6.Israel  Shiri Maimon - "Le'an Shelo Telchi"  

Israel, like Iceland, appeals to eurovision participate Shiri Maimon (2005). Israel comes back to EM with a good song, but not more than 5th place.

7.Finland Hanna Pakarinen - "Go Go"  

After the last place at home, Finland changes completely and send a rock-type song with a simply chorus: GO GO! Top 10, maybe.

8.Denmark Aya - "Best Thing I Got"  

Denmark goes for English and for an ex-Dansk Melodi Prix participant. Aya comes with an up-tempo song which can bring a top 10 position.

9.Monaco  MylèneFarmer - "Lonely Lisa"   

Monaco, just like Finland, changes completely his choices and goes for a disco-type song. In my opinion, it won't be very rated.

10.Belgium  Milk inc. - "Shadow"  
As a newcomer, Belgium should impress, and it does, but not too much. It chose a type of song that is already common but, it must get many points.

11.Germany Glasperlenspiel - "Echt" 

Germany still continues in disco themes, but it got better from last edition. "Echt" should get sufficient points for a top10.

12.Turkey Murat Boz - "Özledim"  

Turkey, this edition, brought a slower music that in EM11. It would be a point, but, personally,  the lyrics don't go well with the music. So, it wouldn't get many points.

13.Moldova Florin Chilian - "Zece"  

Moldova goes right to the top5 this edition. A wonderful choice! It differs from the other countries by going classic.

14.Norway Reidun Sæther - "High On Love" 

Norway show us an MGP Norway participant with a vibrating song, that should captivate the juries.

15.Ireland  Imelda May - 'Mayhem'  
Ireland stays different with a catchy song, with an well chosen voice. Top 10, in my opinion.

16.Netherlands  Caro Emerald - "A Night Like This"   

Same type of Ireland, but slower, which give an advantage to Netherlands. Wonderful song, it can be the 1st winner for the Netherlands.

17.Portugal Vânia Fernandes - "Tudo me Dobra Pena"   

Last edition, tried to follow the music tendencies, but it gone bad. This edition, it switched and brought Vânia Fernandes (2008 ESC representant) with a classic song with something that makes it different. It would get some points, at least, for the top10.

18.United Kingdom  McFly - "The Heart Never Lies"   

Classic British Song: United Kingdom goes for a typical recipe to try to win for the 2nd time. McFly will surely fly to a top10.

19.Luxembourg  Nolwenn Leroy - "La Jument de Michao"   

A newcomer must impress, and Luxembourg does it very well! A easy-to-memorise song, with a great rytmic. Shoul Luxembourg got their 1st winner in their 1st appearance?

20.Albania  Alban Skenderaj Feat. Miriam Cani - "Somebody Hurts"  

An amazing duo, an amazing melody, what can we ask more? Too bad doesn't have a real videoclip, but it's the song that matters. I'm looking foward to see a top 5 to this song.

So, that's what I have to say: Good luck to all participants and hope to see all 35 in EM13