Now we have all 35 entries ready for Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. But along the road we have lost a few real diamonds in the war fields that are national finals. Here I have listed the best of the lost ones (according to my taste entirely, of course). Some felt unjust, some flew totally under the radar, some screwed up on stage, some simply lost to an even better opponent.
- Myrkur – Touch My Love and Die, 7th in Melodi Grand Prix (Denmark) – Youtube
I can’t say that Denmark did the wrong choice, considering that they are one of the favorites to win, but it’s quite clear that they didn’t understand what a masterpiece they had with this dark, beautiful and powerful tune. Myrkur is an elegant witch, mixed with an elf. - Antti Paalanen – Takatukka, 2d in UMK (Finland) – Youtube
I really didn’t want him to win UMK, since that would be a waste of opportunity for Finland to actually win Eurovision with Linda & Pete. It was time for our brotherland to be serious for once, just as Sweden went the other way last year with Kaj. But in the end I must admit that I would have loved to see this in Eurovision as well and the song is catchy as crazy. - ToMa – Ledina, 4th in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
Toma’s “Ledina” (hm… reminds me of someone with a Eurovision history…) is yet another strong Balkan ballad, which would have made it fine for Croatia. But this time Lelek were too strong. - Stasiek Kukulski – This Too Shall Pass, 5th in Krajowych Kwalifikacji (Poland) – Youtube
A beautiful, soft ballad, making me think of Kristian Kostov (2d in Eurovision for Bulgaria 2017). Nothing the Poles even considered to send, apparently, but would have made my top ten easily in Eurovision – unlike Alicia. - Sissal – Infinity, 3d in Melodi Grand Prix (Denmark) – Youtube
I was certain that Denmark would chose Sissal for the second year in a row. “Infinity” is a stronger song than “Hallooouououououcination”, and the part in Danish is brilliant. But then came Sören… - Saga Ludvigsson – Ain’t Today, 12th (last) in the final, Melodifestivalen (Sweden) – Youtube
Aside from “My System” the catchiest song in Melodifestivalen. Sadly enough Saga came last in the final – for the second year in a row! - Indra – Beautiful Lie, eliminated in deltävling 1, Melodifestivalen (Sweden) – Youtube
A very beautiful Bond-ish ballad, that was totally ignored in the first heat of Melodifestivalen. Indras deep voice is soothing for body and soul. - Stela Rade – Nema te, 3d in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
A stunningly beautiful Balkan ballad with great vocals – and an accordion solo! – from Stela. - Irma – Ni traga, 8th in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
A typical melancholic Balkan schlager in a way, but yet so catchy and powerful. - Etta – Million Dollar Smile, 6th in UMK (Finland) – Youtube
Etta means “number one” in Swedish and that is where I had “Million Dollar Smile” in UMK. It was of course evident from the start that this would not happen, but the song is Paskana 2.0, edgy and catchy. - Ritam Noir – Profumi di mare, 11th in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
One of the best rock efforts out there this year. A few of them got all the way, but a haunting chorus did not help Ritam Noir. - Zejna – Jugoslavija, 2d in Pesma za Evroviziju (Serbia) – Youtube
A strange title, that might have caused controversy among other Balkan countries, but the song is a strong mix of “Euphoria” and “My System”. - Jerry Heil – Catharticus, 3d in Vidbir (Ukraine) – Youtube
Jerry Heil, famous for representing Ukraine with “Teresa & Maria” in Malmö 2024 along with Alonya Alonya (third place) did yet another attempt and was the favorite in Vidbir among Eurovision fans. But the fact that it takes about a minute before the song really takes off might have been a disadvantage. - Alexa – Tongue Tied, 5th in finalkvalet, Melodifestivalen (Sweden) – Youtube
The winner of the only edition of American Song Contest, Alexa, didn’t even reach the final – which might have saved the victory for Felicia, since they would have competed for the same votes. But this is of course far better than 8-9 of the other finalists in Melodifestivalen. - Lana – Doline, 11th in Montesong (Montenegro) – Youtube
Ethnic colored songs like “Doline” is the pure reason for my long and lasting interest in Eurovision. We have Croatia and Lelek in Eurovision this year, but most of these gems never reach the whole way nowadays. You have to find them far down in the national Balkan finals. - Getter Jaani – The Game, 5th in Eesti Laul (Estonia) – Youtube
Getter was only 18 when she represented Estonia in Eurovision 2011 with “Rockefeller Street”. I wanted her to get another chance now with this banger. - Ant & Minimal Wind – Wounds (Don’t Wanna Fall), 6th in Eesti Laul (Estonia) – Youtube
Two of my favorites from last year’s Eesti Laul together in a beautiful, strong ballad. - Matt Blxck – Ejja lejja ħdejja ‘l hawn (The Flute), 2d in Malta Eurovision Song Contest – Youtube
“Bella” is a nice, old fashioned ballad, but I had preferred Matt Blxck as representative for Malta this year with this ethnical and mystical tune. - Majda Božović – Ipak smo ljudi, 5th in Montesong (Montenegro) – Youtube
A dramatic ballad of high quality. I simply can’t get enough of those. - Inis Neziri – Ta kam fal, 2d in Festivali i Këngës (Albania) – Youtube
Alis was my guy for Albania, but this was another strong alternative. Inis managed to not be chosen to represent San Marino as well this spring with “In My Head”. Busy girl. - Kiki – Rakkaudenkipee, 7th (last) in UMK (Finland) – Youtube
As usual the seven chosen for the Finnish final are all pure quality and could easily step in on the big stage in Vienna and do well. Even the last placed Kiki. - Daryss – Melusina, 5th in Luxembourg Song Contest – Youtube
This year Luxembourg did the French ballad better than France. - Fedez & Masini – Male necessario, 5th in Sanremo (Italy) – Youtube
Very old school Italy, especially with Masini’s raspy voice, but even stronger than this year’s winner Sal da Vinci. - Kayla Krystin – I brenn, 4th in Wer singt für Österreich? – Youtube
A classical Eurovision power ballad, no more – no less. But Kayla really makes it glow. - Alen Đuras – From Ashes To Flame, 7th in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
A bit generic, but still strong male ballad with a strong singer. - Anastazja – Wild Child, 7th in Krajowych Kwalifikacji (Poland) – Youtube
Seventh place, but I would have preferred Poland’s own Ace Wilder, Anastazja, with her captivating snake dance before Alicia. - Cătălina Solomac – Pink Margarita, 3d in Selecția Națională (Moldova) – Youtube
Yes, it’s another silly girl bop and Cătălina sings shaky bad to be honest, but the beat is catchy as hell. - Ollie – Slave, 3d in Eesti Laul (Estonia) – Youtube
No, no third time victory for Ollie. After two second places he even had to suffice a third place. “Slave” is also a bit weaker than the previous attempts with “Venom” and “My Friend”. - Mileo – Frankenstein, 4th in Melodi Grand Prix (Norway) – Youtube
Mileo got recognition among Eurovision fans in 2024, when he failed to reach the final of MGP with his provoking and psychopathic song “You’re Mine”. “Frankenstein” is not that strong, unfortunately, but still a show. - Meira Omar – Dooset Daram, 9th in Melodifestivalen (Sweden) – Youtube
I usually don’t like this kind of fake ethno pop in Melodifestivalen, but the captiveness of “Doset Daram” is hard to get around. - Cimberly – Eternity, 6th in Melodifestivalen (Sweden) – Youtube
A great bit of Agnes’ “Here Comes the Night”, but a very decent pop song nevertheless. - Ola Antoniak – Don’t You Try, 2d in Krajowych Kwalifikacji (Poland) – Youtube
I don’t even like this quite boring soul ballad, but Ola’s performance is so good that it doesn’t matter what she sings. - Arisa – Magica favola, 4th in Sanremo (Italy) – Youtube
A typical Italian woman’s ballad, as we all know and love them. - Rigersa Loka – Albanian Heart, 17th in Festivali i Këngës (Albania) – Youtube
Festivali i Këngës is as usual one of the strongest national finals and the fact that “Albanian Heart” ended up at place 17 says a lot. - Lara Baltić – Rhythm Boy, 2d in Montesong (Montenegro) – Youtube
One of those silly girl bops that are spreading like a plague around Europe the last 20 years, but nevertheless catchy. - Denise – Trophy, 6th at Malta Eurovision Song Contest – Youtube
Yet another girl bop that still is better than Bulgaria’s “Bangaranga”. - Lara Demarin – Mantra, 12th in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
Another generic girl bop with a dance break? Perhaps. Also better than Germany’s “Fire”… - Lana & Đorđe – Temperatura, 3d in Montesong (Montenegro) – Youtube
There is always room for some hot ethno pop. - Fifi & Tiri Gjoci – Rri, 4th in Festivali i Këngës (Albania) – Youtube
Male/female duets are not as common these days as they once were. But this is a powerful piece. - Sinikka Monte – Ready to Leave, 5th in UMK (Finland) – Youtube
As said before, you could almost blindfolded pick any of the Finnish finalists to represent in Eurovision. - Molly Sue – Optimist (Ha Ha Ha), 3d in Das deutsche Finale (Germany) – Youtube
In a weak German final there were few lights, but “Optimist” was one. The song is a bit basic, but Molly Sue does it with 100 percent authenticity. - Brat Pelin – Fräulein, 4th in Pesma za Evroviziju (Serbia) – Youtube
This is not a song I would randomly listen to, but in the context of the Contest it is a great effort, with very different styles of music mixed into one. - Robert Ox – Ravin’ at the Taj Mahal, 4th at Supernova (Latvia) – Youtube
Nice techno with a captivating catch phrase. - Eegor – Klaber, eliminated in semi final in Pesma za Evroviziju (Serbia) – Youtube
A happy eurodisco tune that was worth a place in the Serbian final, at least. I especially like the three dancers in folk costumes raving away. - Evghenii Avramov & ALenin Ivan – Foc la ghete, 10th in Selecția Națională (Moldova) – Youtube
THIS is Moldovan culture, pure party, far better than the plastic “Viva Moldova!” Hoppsasa! - Komiat – Lululai, 3d in UMK (Finland) – Youtube
Komiat is a bit Kaj, with accordion and party. I prefer Antti Paalanen, but this is also fun and folksy. - Emmy – Sykt fin, eliminated in pre-qualification, Melodi Grand Prix (Norway) – Youtube
Not as strong as “Witch Woods” or “Laika Party”, but still this should have been in a weak MGP final. - Agnesse – Oh My My, eliminated in semi final, Supernova (Latvia) – Youtube
Along with “Ena”, “Oh My My” was the only other song from Supernova that I added to my playlist the first round. And that was basically it… - HVNDS – Dor, 2d in Selecția Națională (Romania) – Youtube
Romania’s answer to Smash Into Pieces had no chance against Alexandra Căpitănescu. - Lana Mandarić – Tama, 14th in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
Catchy, but in the end a bit generic. - Karolina Szczurowska – Nie bój się, 6th in Krajowych Kwalifikacji (Poland) – Youtube
Not the strongest ballad in history, but classic Eurovision. - Anna-Sophie – Superhuman, 6th in Wer singt für Österreich? – Youtube
In a weak Austrian final Anna-Sophie was standing out as one of the decent options. - Ema Bubić – Vrijeme za nas, 16th (last) in Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
A beautiful, soft ballad in typical Eurovision style. Unfortunatelly Ema’s vocals was a bit too weak and she ended up last in the Croatian final. - Emma – Northern Lights, 3d in Melodi Grand Prix (Norway) – Youtube
Marcus and Martinus little sister Emma was a big favorite to win MGP, but a quite weak song performance put a halt to that. - Zevin – My Mind, eliminated in semi final, Dora (Croatia) – Youtube
One of the first songs to be recognized this season among fans and a strong candidate to win Dora – before the semi final. What we saw there was no less than one of the worst ditchings ever. Zevin was rightfully eliminated – but the studio version is still in my mind, in my mind, in my mind…
Ranking of national finals
- Dora, Croatia
- UMK, Finland
- Festivali i Këngës, Albania
- Melodifestivalen, Sverige
- Melodi Grand Prix, Denmark
- Pesma za Evroviziju, Serbia
- Montesong, Montenegro
- Eesti Laul, Estonia
- Sanremo, Italy
- Supernova, Latvia
- Krajowych Kwalifikacji, Poland
- Selecția Națională, Moldova
- Vidbir, Ukraine
- Melodi Grand Prix, Norway
- MESC, Malta
- Selecția Națională, Romania
- Luxembourg Song Contest
- Wer singt für Österreich?, Austria
- San Marino Song Contest
- Das deutsche Finale, Germany
- Festival da Canção, Portugal
- Sing for Greece, Greece
- Eurovizija.LT, Lithuania