ETSC 12 – Prediction Game

/ Sekhmet Morgan

ETSC – Every year, the summer is the calm after the storm so it’s the perfect time to resume the highly anticipated the Eurovision Times Song Contest! Each one of you can represent an European country and get to send a song and then vote in a fake Eurovision! 42 of you entered for the August 2019 edition and the results are coming this week!

After a first round open for people to sign up with a country and send a song, we got 42 people in. In the meantime, to keep us busy, I made a random draw. I also made personal postcards for each entry which will be revealed along with the songs. You can click on the picture below to listen to the songs again:

These songs were presented by the following HoDs, in alphabetical order: Anders, Arpatilaos, Avat, Bay, Brittany, Caolán, Cathal, Coyote, Cyphermusic, Daniel, Dimitris, Dino, Dominik, Donnie, Donnyademaj, Elmar, Franco, Greg, Gregor, Guitar, Hjallis, Jerry, Lina, Luke, Matthew, Michos, Mylor, Nick P, Oasisoffear, Ovidarch, Oxi, Pablo, Patrick P, PJ, Razvan, Ren Robles, Sekhmet Morgan, Sheldon, Shevek, Trekks, Xello and Zainab!

Results will come later this week. In the meantime, we get to gossip and predict, and discuss songs more openly as nothing more is at stake. And I drop hints!

Now time for the prediction game! It was first started in ETSC 4 “hint” article and back then I wrote this: “We can play a guessing game, people wishing to participate can post a “prediction” top 10 and I’ll award points based on the countries that are in the actual top 10 and predicted in yours accorddingly. I wont reveal the results until after the voting and winner is announced, but we’d get an extra side bet to care about ;)” In the end, it has secured itself has an ETSC standard: former winnets were Donnie (ETSC 4), Nick P (ETSC 5), Donnie (ETSC 6), Dimitris (ETSC 7), Gregor (ETSC 8), Razvan (ETSC 9), Razvan (ETSC 10) and Donnie (ETSC 11)!

Let’s do it again. Until the reveal begin, you can put a top 10 prediction in order (since most people predict the same 8 or so songs, it would be better to have an order so that thanks to mathematics, we do get someone who was “closer” to the final results). However, there are a few specific rules:

  • There is an extra 100pts if you guess ALL 10 songs right whatever the order! 
  • There is an extra 100pts if you guess AT LEAST 10 HoD right!

I’ll award points accordingly and announce the winner along with the revealing of ETSC 13 logo! If you feel like revealing predictions on the comment section is too much info, you can do it by email. However, as voting is closed, you dont need to worry affecting votes, just maybe people’s interpretation of your predictions (but we’re all esc fans and know predictions aren’t our own rankings!) This is a second crown to grab, good luck everyone!

742 thoughts on “ETSC 12 – Prediction Game”

    • Yeah.

      We are on a level where majority of the people trust the president, also Jakarta has been too dense and jammed. I hope everything went smooth as expected.

      Reply

    • I hope they will find their own Oscar Niemayer to get most out of this project. It’s enchantingly old fashioned. They must have read Monocle’s How to Build a Nation coffee table book. Hopefully we are going to get an array of stunning embassies too!

      Reply

          • It is.. he breaks the common misconception where masjids had to have a dome structure… as it is actually not unique to masjids

            Reply

            • Sure.. Masjid Raya Minangkabau, it is inspired by local architecture of West Sumatra province. Do not forget to try some of the local dishes from this parricular region which is very famous accross the country and Malaysia and Singapore (Beef Rendang)

            • In return, I love Turkey as destination, it is the only European country I have visited for more than once and I wish I can come back again.

              Pamukkale travertine is very unique natural feature, I had the first and only paragliding experience there, it was awesome. Also the food is mouthwatering, Kunefe, kebabs, baklava, Turkish delights, …

        • I like the third one a lot. I really love these kind of projects asnation building, defining and uniting statements by urban planning and architecture. They are always utopistic dreams, expolorations and prototyping, very forward looking. We all need them, in any era. This is genuinely interesting.

          Reply

    • I need to update my geography knowledge especially regarding the so many capital changes worldwide the last 25 years…
      Sporcle is very useful on this. I have to thank Dimitri for introducing that site to me some years ago :)

      Reply

        • Well, Ankara has been the Turkish capital for almost a century now. I meant the change of capitals in the last 25 to 30 years :) (Dodoma, Abuja, Yamousoukro, the Sri Lankan one that I cannot even spell :D)

          Reply

          • Sri Jayawerdanapura Kotte, correct me if i’m wrong. Also Nay Pyi Daw for Myanmar, known as the emptiest capital in the world, and Ngrulmud for Palau known as the least populated capital

            Reply

            • Thanks, Bay! The story behind the new Burmese capital is very interesting. Some of the city’s pics are kinda creepy, tbh.

        • Btw, few people worldwide know that Athens is actually the third capital city of the modern Greek state. Aegina and nafplion took that honour for a short while before Athens (1831-1834) :)

          Reply

          • And Florence has been the capital of Italy if I remember correctly.

            Ottawa is another capital few really know about. I guess most people think it’s Toronto.

            Reply

  3. Based on my observations what some people sent in ETSC 11, I’d like to share a few random thoughts:
    – unlike last time, there is no song I’d connect immediately with Morgan like in 11, when both Sweden and France gave me Morgan-vibes… this time, I would guess France again or UK… but I could imagine that he sent in s.th. a little beta-ware for his taste
    – like I said, I could see Dino go from A-WA to Shanguy, although he ascribed Italy already to other people
    – I was so sure mermaid brought us Edin, but well, now Turkey has to be s.o. else, maybe donnyademaj or arpatilaos
    – I can imagine Hjallis with first pick choosing a Nordic country, stylewise I’d say Finland, winner-vibes-wise I’d go with Norway
    – oasisoffear who had Norway and Pasta Building could be behind the Icelandic girls
    – I can see the person behind Moldova and Michael FK (Franco?) bring s.th. like Estonia, Switzerland or Netherlands
    – Pablo who brought Mr Presley could be behind another cleverly constructed female ballad like Cyprus, Spain or maybe Lithuania
    – Ren supposedly went from Germany to, let’s see, Ireland, Denmark or Poland,
    – Dominik from Luxembourg to Poland, Hungary or even Malta
    – I, despite having been SO happy with my choice, will probably go down the drainpipe a second time 🙈😩🤩

    give me some credit when I’m totally way off, it’s really hard to base it only on a few observed aspects…

    Reply

  9. #4, 5 and 6 of the Golden Hits from ETSC (editions 1-11)

    #6
    Crimer – Brotherlove
    Switzerland – ETSC9
    166 points / 34,58%

    #5
    Lilly Wood & The Prick – Where I Want To Be (California)
    France – ETSC2
    156 points / 36,11%

    #4
    Elif – Doppelleben
    Germany – ETSC10
    166 points / 36,40%

    Reply

    • I am waiting for a flamenco number to start in the gardens of the hotel. This new poll is very different from the others. Ms. Zen is fighting to remain the game. Buttigieg is standing his ground among very established names. Much will change in the coming months.

      Reply

      • I’m excited to see how the next debate shakes things up, in addition to how the likely coming drop-outs will change things. Very excited to finally watch a Warren-Biden match up at the next debate.

        Reply

        • Just out of curiosity Lina, how has Tom Steyer’s advertising been in NYC? He was all over YouTube and the morning news ads when I was in NH this summer, and he’s close to taking a spot in the next debate stage. I’m just curious how his messaging has been in other parts of the country, as NH is always bombarded with political ads due to the early primary.

          Reply

          • He’s all over the place. Anytime I log into any social media app I get his ads. He is emphasizing everything wrong with this country – he’s completely buying his way into the race. He’s spent more than $10 million on online advertising. It’s not okay and I do not like him at all because of this.

            Reply

            • So it’s a similar situation then, and he’s not merely trying to gain ground in the early primary states. Let’s hope Gabbard gets a spot in the next debates. Perhaps even Williamson. Both of these women, along with Steyer, have met the fundraising goals for the next debate, but are still missing a couple qualifying polls. Whichever those are, as the DNC won’t set out the rules for what makes a poll qualifying or not.

            • The DNC is so corrupt that they will do all they can to prevent the lesser known progressives from making the debates. Williamson and Gabbard will need a miracle to circumvent the DNC’s attempts to get rid of them. They tried to make it as easy as possible to get the no-name centrists on the debate stage, and now they’re trying so hard to hand the election to Biden. I don’t know if you’ve read Gabbard’s statement on the unfairness of the DNC’s polling requirements, but she makes very valid arguments about how suspicious the whole thing is.

              As much as I’m absolutely not a Republican, at least the RNC has no problem giving all their candidates an equal platform.

            • I do know of Gabbard’s complaints. I learned about it from this channel that I’ve recently started checking out on YouTube called the Hill.

              It’s a really interesting show as the two hosts have different political viewpoints but are able to hold a civilized discussion, with Krystal being a progressive and Saagar being a conservative (although he has a sit-in for the day this was published). They also have daily panels with people from both the Democratic and Republican parties, so they have lots of different viewpoints, which I appreciate.

              What’s really scary in the video I posted is how visibly angry the DNC guy gets when challenged about the DNC’s when question about their integrity regarding the polling issue. Really raised my eyebrows…

            • Ah yes I know The Hill. The DNC guy’s reaction is very telling. While congressional, gubernatorial, presidential, etc. elections are all obviously important. I consider the election of the DNC chairperson to be even more so. Until we stop electing chairpeople who will only support centrist establishment Democrats (Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna Brazile, and Tom Perez are atrocious), the party will continue these corrupt practices and make it harder for progressives to win. And to make it worse only party insiders have a voice in electing the chairperson.

              All of Gabbard’s concerns were valid, and we should be talking about them legitimately, not as if she’s some no-name candidate throwing a temper tantrum, which is what I’ve seen some saying.

  19. 🇸🇪 For your evening entertainment we have my VFOS bronze medalist Skott with Mermaid. This entry was famously snatched from Razvan on the eve of ETSC 9. He had hold it for couple of months. What do you think? Could Mermaid have made splash here too just like our Mermaid does?

    I love this song.

    Reply

  21. My first time doing a prediction 🙈

    1. Norway
    2. Italy
    3. Estonia
    4. Lithuania
    5. Poland
    6. Finland
    7. Denmark
    8. France
    9. Cyprus
    10. Croatia

    Reply

  22. My top 10 prediction :

    1. Lithuania
    2. France
    3. Norway
    4. UK
    5. Italy
    6. Denmark
    7. Iceland
    8. Slovenia
    9. Netherlands
    10. pfff….Morocco ? Belgium ? Sweden ? One of those three…Let’s be daring and sayyyy Morocco.

    Reply

    • 2.333333333333333333333/12. Well done. :)
      2/12 once you made up your miind on the 10th place. I have Morocco in 12th place.

      Reply

    • 2 songs here got points for me as well. Judging by what several people said, the predictions may be quite different from the real thing.

      Reply

  23. Personal goals for this edition (from most basic to more elaborate) :
    – score at least some points
    – dont come last
    – score double digit points
    – come top 30 (most ambitious one)

    Reply

  24. If I have taken part I’d award 12 to Lithuania.. :)
    ————
    I have to admit Albanians RULE in music scene atm..
    This song is really huge in some countries, it is first on Romanian charts! :O
    It features Albanian German singer Dhurata Dora and Frrnch Algerian Soolking!
    I want them for ESC!

    Reply

        • FiK was better last year and the last 2 winners have been great. Unfortunately the incredible corruption and deal-making has dissuaded a lot of great artists from participating. I’m not that big a fan of Kenga Magjike either but at least it has big names in it every year who want to win.

          Reply

          • I agree, it’s on the rise and I liked the last two Albanian entries! but then I’ve loved Jonida for so long, she’s been twice in my BoNF contest (2005 and 2008); it’s a treasure she did esc finally, and in Albanian!

            Reply

            • Between Rona-Eugent was truly a dark age of winners…some improvement has been made but it’s still below average. I’m hoping we see some young talent come in, or even the return of some previous great artists like Jonida did.

      • 100% agree. The Albanian music industry is huge, but RTSH continues to use the outdated FiK which will never get us a winner. 2015 was a step in the right direction for us. Maybe start selecting the singer through FiK and the song internally?

        Reply

            • it started with” Walk on Water” actually, Ira’s songs (she had two) in the nf were awful but she was the only winner they wanted! so chosing in NF an artist but picking internally (or to be more precise ordering a song to a team, Swedish, Greek or Symphonix lol) is the solution for many countries who have poor NF / bad televote (it should be France too, but the French have too much pride and think democracy is the highest virtue in the world, but we only do well in our internal selection)

            • I still feel very iffy about the whole Ira 2016 fiasco, but “Walk on Water” was by far stronger than her two songs in the nf.

        • They already did that with that weird to say the least process through which Elhaida was selected and then changed her song in 2015. Tbh in my books her FiK song is still better than her actual entry.

          Reply

          • That’s what I was saying is a step in the right direction, and I disagree with you. “I’m Alive” was by no means a masterpiece but it was much more in tune with modern music than “Diell” was, and I doubt she would have qualified with her FiK song.

            Reply

        • Even if it was just to select the artist, the corruption would still be there, and we’d see similar names every year like we already do. Elton Deda magically makes the Final every year even though he is in the organizing committee and a part of the orchestra, and even ran the contest in 2015 when one of his besties Eneda won.

          Reply

          • Hmm yeah that’s true. I just don’t see them scrapping FiK entirely anytime in the future. This seems like the only compromise that could be negotiated.

            Reply

  25. Today I was re-listening to the White Album for God knows which time, and I suddenly remembered that DR marked its 40th anniversary back in 2008 with “The White Concert” – a TV broadcast concert in which different artists performed all the songs in the same order as on the album (I don’t remember how they handled “Revolution 9”). The concept – which included an audience all dressed in white – received mixed response, perhaps because the dresscode and things like that made the concept seem a bit unnatural, but also because some of the performances were downright uninspired.

    One performance, however, really stuck out, and that is Annika Aakjær (my ETSC 3 contestant, and one of the singers to perform the “Joyful” interval act in ESC 2014) with “Why Don’t We Do It In the Road”. She added some life and spontanity to the otherwise rather stiff concept, and here is an example of really passionate singing as I enjoy it the most (a bit of Janis Joplin in it, I’d say):

    Reply

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