Düsseldorf – Today the running order of the semi-finals and the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, will be determined by (almost) random draw. Why almost? In each semi-final two countries, one from the first half of the show and one of the second half, are allowed to choose their position in the running order. The draw which countries will perform in which half of the semi-final was already held in January when allocating the countries to one of the semis. One of the Big 5 countries in the final will also have the right to decide its position.
Yesterday, the Heads of Delegation of the 43 participating countries had already met in Düsseldorf to discuss the last details before thousands of fans will arrive and the rehearsals will begin in May.
Webcast:
The running order draw will be held in the Esprit Arena at 13:00 CET and will be broadcast by eurovision.tv
i hope the big 5 get it easy, i remember how sad i was for patricia going 3rd!
If I were to pick the draw, I would do it as follows:
Semi 1
01. Poland
02. Serbia
03. Georgia
04. Russia
05. Armenia
06. Switzerland
07. Finland
08. Turkey
09. Albania
10. Norway
11. San Marino
12. Iceland
13. Azerbaijan
14. Greece
15. Croatia
16. Malta
17. Lithuania
18. Portugal
19. Hungary
Semifinal 2
1. Ukraine
2. Moldova
3. Slovakia
4. Netherlands
5. Bosnia Herzegovina
6. Austria
7. Cyprus
8. Sweden
9. Belgium
10. Bulgaria
11. Romania
12. Ireland
13. Slovenia
14. Belarus
15. Estonia
16. Denmark
17. Latvia
18. Israel
19. Macedonia
Final
05. Germany
12. Italy
17. Spain
22. France
23. United Kingdom
I won’t be able to follow the whole procedure. I do hope that my country (Portugal) gets to sing towards the end of the first semi; it’s hard enough as it is having to compete against countries that always have many votes coming their way regardless of the song they send. Good luck.
I’ve just used my 3 votes in the big poll 2011 this way: Belgium, Italy and Serbia. Unfortunately, they are not doing well at all, oh well…
Question: Why do some countries want to go last?
Because that’s the ticket to the final in most cases.
And for Greece, this starting position is just perfect imo because the very dramatic ending of the song will impress the televoting public.
yeah but bosnia first and ireland last
amaury 11th, italy 12th, uk 14th, germany 16th, spain 22nd life is unfair sometimes
I agrre. France in particular doesn’t have any luck with ESC draws. Performing back to back with Italy is probably the worst thing that could happen …
Beware! Longest comment I have ever posted anywhere! (Excuse: I have nothing better to do atm and thus I am sitting in the sun … 21 degrees … on my roof terrace.)
Some random thoughts on the draw:
Semi 1:
1. Poland: What did they think choosing position 1? Yes, the up-tempo song is a good opener but with so many better up-tempo numbers following, I do not see the final for the bland Polish song
2. Norway: Stella in death slot 2. A lot will depend on whether she manages to get everyone dance and sing along. HABA HABA!
3. Albania: Early draw too but considering the songs coming before and after, very good chances to make it to the final. Aurela’s song will stand out in this ‘environment’ …
4. Armenia: The impossible might happen … no final for Armenia (France, Belgium and The Netherlands vote in the other semi …)
5. Turkey: Perfect draw within the 1st half of this semi. First male voice of the night and with three pop songs being performed before, this will sail into the final.
6. Serbia: This can go either way irrespective of the starting position because it is so different and retro. Please, everyone vote for Serbia in semi 1 because I can’t.
7. Russia: More irrelevant pop. Well, it’s Russia but it was unfair if it qualified. There were better dance numbers before.
8. Switzerland: Considering that Anna will have to perform in the 1st part of the semi, this is as perfect a draw as possible. The first quiet and unpretentious song of the night. I guess that many people will be happy that things tone down a bit with the Swiss entry. Might surprise everyone and make it to the final.
9. Georgia: Very good draw too (nice contrast to Switzerland before and Finland after) and with many fans in this semi (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Lithuania …). Georgia will be in the final 100 %.
10. Finland: It’s certainly a contrast to everything that comes before it. Good chances to qualify imo.
11. Malta: Performing in the middle of the show and after the commercial break, Malta will probably be doomed.
12. San Marino: Being back to back with Croatia, I cannot see the microstate in the final either.
13. Croatia: See san Marino
14. Iceland: Nice draw, completely different from everything around it. Good chances to qualify.
15. Hungary: It’s a good draw and perhaps Hungary won’t be this year’s FFF (fan favourite fail) after all.
16. Portugal: Perfect draw for Portugal. If they manage to get their message across, a lot of people (in particular typical ESC fans) should brace themselves for a shock once the 10 finalists are announced.
17. Lithuania: I never believed that this had a chance to qualify, but with this starting position drawn in paradise, it is in with a chance. There’s no traditional ballad anywhere near it.
18. Azerbaijan: Welcome to the final, Azerbaijan!
19. Greece: Perfect wildcard choice. This song builds until it ends in a very dramatic climax. Greece will be in the final once more.
Semi 2
1. BiH: Fantastic opening song for the 2nd semi. This should qualify irrespective of the starting position simply because it is one of the best and most memorable songs this year.
2. Austria: I hope that this will be the last we see and hear of Austria in ESC 2011. For people with a more traditional taste, there are much better options performed later in the show (Netherlands, Ukraine, Slovenia …)
3. The Netherlands: The world is not fair. The Dutch have their first good entry since ages and then they get this terrible draw! I was sure that NL would be in the final before the draw. Now I am not so sure anymore.
4. Belgium: This one would have needed a perfect draw to be in with a chance, and number 4 is far from being perfect. I will support Belgium in semi 2 but it won’t help, I am afraid.
5. Slovakia: Weak song, no friends, decent draw. It is in with a chance I guess but it shouldn’t qualify imo.
6. Ukraine: Would have benefitted from up-tempo numbers being performed before it, but hey, it is Ukraine and will be in the final for sure. And Belarus, Moldova, Romania and Italy are there to be generous too.
7. Moldova: They will wake everyone up who has fallen asleep during the two songs performed before, and thus I expect them to qualify although Spain and Portugal cannot help this time. (But Romania and Ukraine will …)
8. Sweden: Probably the best possible draw for Eric because it is late in the 1st half and the first song to appeal to europop fans. A lot of people will probably say/think “Wow, finally something that sounds like ESC” and vote for it. Going to the final, but not deservedly though.
9. Cyprus: I love this song and hope that people will see and hear its quality after the glossy and hyperactive Swedish act. No idea … but keeping my fingers crossed and looking forward to voting for Cyprus!
10. Bulgaria: Performing after the commercial break is always a disadvantage. Moreover, the song has a very complicated melody (if there is one at all). Few people will remember it. I fear for the worst!
11. Macedonia: I don’t know how to rank this on my personal list and I have no clue with regard to its chances either. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it in the final … and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it left behind.
12. Israel: Good draw because there are 3 very different songs to protect it from Sweden. I see those two acts competing for the camp vote. Will both make it? I don’t know. I we see only one of them in the final, I put my money on Sweden.
13. Slovenia: Perfect draw after all that activity we have seen and heard since Bulgaria. A real chance for Slovenia to make it to Saturday’s show!
14. Romania: Will this bland act make it to the final with this decent draw and considering that it is Romania, who always makes it? I see a chance here that we won’t have Romania in the final for the 1st time because a) Latvia performs later, Denmark performs 2nd to last and b) Portugal and Spain vote in the wrong semi.
15. Estonia: Perfect draw and welcome to the final!
16. Belarus: I still don’t know. I only see a chance for this in case many people think: “Wow, this is so weird that I give it a vote.” But then there are juries too. No final once more, I guess.
17. Latvia: Good draw but might be killed by performing back to back with Denmark. Slight chances to make it through imo.
18. Denmark: Welcome to the final, Denmark!
19. Ireland: If the juries don’t kill it, we will see Ireland in the final, I guess. Or will they do a De Toppers, failing to qualify from last place?
I enjoyed reading this one and I also agree. I wonder what is France going to do with that not-so-good draw.
Thanks! And sorry for all those typos …
Nice analysis
.
After the draw here is who i think will qualify in the final :
From Semifinal 1 : Poland, Norway, Turkey, Serbia, Russia, Georgia, Iceland, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Greece.
From Semifinal 2 : Bosnia & Herzegovina, Netherlands, Ukraine, Sweden, Israel, Slovenia, Romania, Estonia, Denmark, Ireland.
Portugal 11 is the 16th song in the first semi? Not bad at all.
Belgium, Italy and Serbia were not so lucky. I enjoyed reading your analysis, Togravus.
P.S.: I am hoping that Portugal and Lithuania 11 manage to get through to the final, but it’ll be very difficult. There are too many “usual suspects” around.
it dont matter were the songs are placed if the song is good people will remeber and vote for it like turkey was 14th and azerbijhan was 1st and they were in the top 5
Are you new to ESC, tyrone michael? If ‘Drip Drop’ had been the Dutch or Maltese entry performed in 1st place, it would have been doomed …
im only 19 been waching it since 2002, and i like to believe its all about the music and not politics and stuff like that.
I have been watching since 1976 and have lost all youthful illusions I might once have had …