By Neil Durham

WHEN?: Tuesday 7 May 2024

WHERE?: Malmo Arena, Malmo, Sweden

HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1 at 8pm in the UK or eurovision.tv or SVT

We think this is by far the tougher of the 2 semi finals and also that it will be much more difficult to lose 5 of these songs ahead of Saturday’s final rather than the 6 that will go home early in Semi 2.

• Read on for reasons including who are the 10 entrants we think will make the 11 May final

We’re also so pleased that Iceland decided to participate in contestant Hera Bjork‘s 2nd Eurovision but view her as a borderline qualifier which only adds to the difficulties of selecting as many as 5 acts which won’t progress here.

1. CYPRUS: Silia Kapsis Liar (Dimitris Kontopoulos; Elke Tiel) PREDICTION: Qualifier

Greek co-writer Kontopulous is behind a number of beloved Eurovision hits including 2008 runner-up Shady Lady. Kapsis is an Australian singer, dancer and actress who will likely benefit from her having her home country voting here. We’ve yet to see a live performance but the song is catchy pop about a woman betrayed by her lover. Plenty of potential for a strong package.

2. SERBIA: Teya Dora Ramonda (Andrijano Kadović; Luka Jovanović; Teodora Pavlovska) PREDICTION: non-qualifier

A ramonda is a flowering plant native to shady, rocky places in north eastern Spain, the Pyrenees and south eastern Europe. This song has been described as a ‘magical lullaby’ but we think of it as semi 1’s toilet break.

3. LITHUANIA: Silvester Belt Luktelk (Tomorrow) (Džesika Šyvokaitė; Elena Jurgaitytė; Silvestras Beltė) PREDICTION: Qualifier

Belt beat a strong contender from The Roop who finished 8th in 2021 with the brilliant Discoteque. Bisexual Belt is a University of Westminster in London graduate of commercial music performance and co-wrote this entry which is strong on electronic, rave and techno influences. Not especially to our tastes but we would imagine it would find its audience.

4. IRELAND: Bambie Thug Doomsday Blue (Bambie Ray Robinson; Olivia Cassy Brooking; Sam Matlock; Tyler Ryder) PREDICTION: Qualifier

Ireland’s Eurosong stepped up its game this year and, although this wasn’t the entry we wanted to win, it similarly offers something fresh in the form of an unpredictable Charli XCX-type banger with some real changes of mood. Bambie Thug is non-binary and brings a witchy, theatrical feel to proceedings which is likely to divide the audience.

5. UKRAINE: Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil Teresa & Maria (Aliona Savranenko; Anton Chilibi; Ivan Klymenko; Yana Shemaieva) PREDICTION: Qualifier

Alyona’s rapping combines well with Heil’s more traditional chanting and this is a haunting and powerful entry that could come from no country other than Ukraine. It’s a song about hope inspired by the Roman Catholic saint Mother Teresa and the Virgin Mary and we could all do with some of that.

6. POLAND: Luna The Tower (Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas; Max Cooke; Paul Dixon) PREDICTION: non-qualifier

Co-writer Dixon is an English singer/songwriter and he has worked with Luna here, Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas, on a song that was internally selected. The Tower is about ‘a journey to self-realization and self-actualization from the negativity humanity faces’. The rehearsal footage of this simple electronic bop is a little too much for this televote-only semi.

7. CROATIA: Baby Lasagna Rim Tim Tagi Dim (Marko Purišić) PREDICTION: Qualifier

As we write, this is the big favourite to win the whole contest after enjoying a landslide televote victory in Croatia. It’s the story of young people leaving this country to find their fortune abroad and is performed with the same commitment that saw Finland’s Käärijä finish a strong 2nd to Sweden’s Loreen in 2023. The song itself is part rap, part 80s-inspired rock chorus and boasts a pulsating rhythm that is going to win over televoters rather than juries.

8. ICELAND: Hera Bjork Scared Of Heights (Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir; Ferras Alqaisi; Jaro Omar; Michael Burek) PREDICTION: Qualifier

A song of the month for us in February when we wrote: ‘The song is co-written by Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir – who we saw perform live with former Eurovision entrant Dadi Freyr in London including the song Feel The Love they released together – Ferras Alqaisi, Jaro Omar and Michael Burek. Scared is a real soaring bop that reminds of Madonna’s Like A Prayer and we love the carefree nature of the chorus which boasts the lyrics: ‘I feel it coming, Been here before and never got it right, Baby I’m wondering, If falling in love has got me Scared Of Heights.’

9. SLOVENIA: Raiven Veronika (Bojan Cvjetićanin; Danilo Kapel; Klavdija Kopina; Martin Bezjak; Peter Khoo; Sara Briški Cirman) PREDICTION: non-qualifier

Co-writer Cvjetićanin is the lead singer of band Joker Out which finished 21st last year. Sara Briški Cirman was selected internally following 3 attempts to represent her country, 2 of which resulted in 2nd place. She performed live at the Croatian national final and her background in opera is well reflected in this dark dramatic number. We’ve updated our prediction for this on the basis of the rehearsal footage clips at the top of the article.

10. FINLAND: Windows95man No Rules! (Henri Piispanen; Jussi Roine; Teemu Keisteri) PREDICTION: Qualifier

From the moment we heard it we knew that this was the song to beat, and that we didn’t want it to triumph, in Finland. Comedy songs like this (see Joost also for the Netherlands in this year’s 2nd semi) are always going to find it easier to qualify now the semis don’t have juries. At its best, this has a throwback 80s heavy rock chorus that people will respond with fondness for. The visuals may be an acquired taste not attracting much jury love.

11. MOLDOVA: Natalia Barbu In The Middle (Khris Richards; Natalia Barbu) PREDICTION: non-qualifier

We saw Barbu finish 9th in Helsinki in the 2007 Eurovision with Fight and we think she will do well to make the final this year with a song that tied for 1st place and was the jury’s rather than the public’s choice for the win in Moldova. Flanked by 4 backing singers in the live performance dressed in identikit outfits and looks, it was well performed if rather odd looking. But perhaps that’s what you get with a violin bow stuffed down your dress.

12. AZERBAIJAN: Fahree ft Ilkin Dovlatov Özünlə apar (Take It With You) (Edgar Ravin, Fakhri Ismayilov, Hasan Haydar, Mado Salikh, Mila Miles) PREDICTION: non-qualifier

A male duet in both English and the native tongue with some traditional emoting, this has the disadvantage of being the last song to be unveiled which means in this most competitive of semis it may be a grower and we may be underestimating it. Although many of the audience at home watching their TVs will be judging it on its 1st impression.

13. AUSTRALIA: Electric Fields One Milkali (One Blood) (Michael Ross; Zaachariaha Fielding) PREDICTION: Qualifier

We really miss Australia’s selection show Australia Decides and, like last year, broadcaster SBS uses a former participant, in this case the 2019 runners-up, in its internal selection. We’re familiar with Electric Fields through their KEiiNO collaboration and they are an electric musical duo reflecting Aboriginal culture and featuring the strong vocals of Zaachariaha Fielding alongside keyboardist Michael Ross. The song is upbeat, reflective of their history and everything we wanted from them. We’re so excited to be seeing them finally on the Eurovision stage.

14. PORTUGAL: Iolanda Grito (Shout) (Alberto Hernández; Iolanda Costa) PREDICTION: Qualifier

Portugal can always be relied upon to enter a song that sounds like it comes from nowhere else. Languid and enchanting to some, too laidback for others, this was the runaway favourite to win selection show Festival da Canção although Portugal should have chosen televote winner João Borsch. We’ve updated our prediction for this on the basis of the rehearsal footage clips at the top of the article.

15. LUXEMBOURG: Tali Fighter (Ana Zimmer; Dario Faini; Manon Romiti; Silvio Lisbonne) PREDICTION: Qualifier

Returning to Eurovision for the 1st time in 31 years, this is a well-performed slice of French pop with a fun slip into English near its close. Tali is Israeli-born which will be a talking point and this should have enough about it to make the final. Co-writer Faini is better known as Dardust and co-wrote Italy’s entry this year also.

• Main picture via Facebook courtesy Baby Lasagna
• Have you seen a Eurovision semi final before and what do you think of this 1? Tickets
• Let us know what you thought in the comments below. Our predictions for the pre-qualified 2024 Eurovision Song Contest finalists. Semi 2 predictions Updated final predictions
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