Henry what you on about? She gets up and sings the song.  Does she have to carry the fake snow and black guy with her everywhere she goes?

How you can call someone who just stands on stage and hits all the notes a mess is beyond me.

I'm gradually coming to the conclusion that this year is a very strong year

I'd say 12 of the top 15 in the market all have a decent chance.

Hopefully some 'rag' that I've managed to tickle at some 3-figure prices!

in my opinion this year is poor regarding kwality of entries...most of the songs lack something which is imperative to win eurovision...A HOOK ! ie a catchy chorus.

most viewers will not be listening to lyrics or looking at the staging etc (the jury's job)...they will be swayed by a catchy chorus in the song and an attractive performer would boost that entry too.

the winner will be a song with instant impact not one that requires several 'listens'...so you can rulle out maybe 75% of the field for starters.

take last years winner...from the start we were hit by "oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh, i'm running i'm scared tonight" and other sickening drivel...the 'hook' was instant and reeled in the catch.

yes the draw will play a big part in determining the winner, so a little luck will be required sad to say.

High risk strategy bexley that relies on the 4 favs getting beat.

Loreen pulled on the link above but is on you tube.  I see she has it nailed down to exactly 3 minutes.  If Hitler had planned the invasion of Russia with the same precision WWII might have ended differently...thank fook he didn't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j0wq-VaBqc

I agree milan in that those who say "now I have listened to them all 5000 times I think it is a strong year and there are 20 with a chance" are kidding themselves.  That's what we do with albums bought on the strength of the hit single. 90% will be watching it for the first time. 

Milan I think it is the whole package that gets judged including the staging.  If Englebert had sung Rock n Roll Halleluiah (?) he wouldn't have won (I don't think so anyway )

But there will be some greening up of my own before the final draw is made, assuming those I mentioned above have decent rehearsals

Having Romania at average of 75 helps and Iceland 35

I think there are a couple that are better on the 'hook-first listen' criteria than Sweden, and trying to load up on those entries at present.

Trouble is with Norway is that if Eric can't win then surely he can't either? Can't see that Norway's entry this year is any better than Eric's... and it's already been done

Well I'm done betting on the outright I think

Big greens mainly on Germany and Spain

Neutral on Italy, Serbia, Romania and Denmark

Heavy red most of the rest

Sweden is the Frankel in the field

Italy still looks like such an obvious winner to me and I've been buying it up in the 10 range.

The Swedish entry reminds me of 90's dance floor... I don't see anything innovative about it. It also reminds me a lot of the Norwegian entry. Hardly surprising since both were composed by the same guy... I see both of them splitting the raver vote (with a couple of other entries). From my research, the demographic watching Eurovision on Saturday night won't primarily consist of hardcore fans, effeminate males, and ravers (to which the Swedish song appeals)... In fact, won't the hardcore ravers be out clubbing rather than watching Eurovision?

Five Leaves, Swedish entries have been consistently overrated the last couple of years and I see the same process at work again this year... Sure Melodifestivalen is a a big thing and the Swedes are trying to promote it all over Europe but I think it is a stretch to generalize from Swedish musical tastes to the rest of Europe... The heyday of the Swedish music industry is over... To begin with Sweden (and the other Scandinavian countries bar Finland) probably have the least masculine males in all of Europe. Overall, I'm sure that "Euporia" will appeal to some males but I think the song will turn out to be far more popular with women. To bad that Norway will also capture some of the same female voters...

The Italian entry has much wider appeal to diverse musical tastes (including those with a distinct liking for soul and jazz). Moreover, it has a distinct Italian feel to it (Sweden just sounds like something that could have been produced anywhere). Plus, the Italian song is more innovative. It has a retro touch but it also sounds very contemporary whereas Sweden just sounds like something out of the 90's...

Then there is the political element. Fiveleaves, you write that you think juries could reward Spain. I completely disagree... If anything it is in the interests of broadcasters to keep Italy in the competition and since they've submitted the best entry they're not exactly making the work of juries very difficult...

Teodoro wrote that the Swedes have just built a new arena. Apparently the Swedish broadcasting company has already reserved it for Eurovision... Nonetheless, Italy also has suitable venues for Eurovision. And, if Italy does not want to host Eurovision, they could, of course, decline to do so (which has happened before) in which case Sweden might still get its chance. But I would be surprised if Italy declines to host Eurovision if they win...

Iceland an excellent entry, but for some reason I can't quite justify I don't think it will pick up votes.

My 2 big greens too jack.


btw wd to those who spotted Romania early. It was one that totally passed me by and still does tbh.

Not big compared to my Norway green which could help solve the Euro crisis just about

however I don't recommend 'averaging up' which I have been doing on Norway from 14's top 34's

I agree with Jack again on Norway. If Eric couldn't win then how can Norway this year?

True Bex. I'll be holding onto the vast majority of my green for the final. Unless it goes a really silly short price. Which I can't see happening.
Too many concerns from punters over how well it will do in the pv after last years poor results for the likes of Austria & Slovenia

And fair enough Bex. Eric with a last 5 draw could well have won.