Semi-Final 2 of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest takes place on Thursday evening. (8pm – 10.05pm on RTE2)
Again 18 countries will perform, but only 10 will qualify for Saturday’s final, 14th May.
Ireland’s Chances
The Eurovision semi-final 2 will see Nicky Byrne take to the stage and perform Sunlight in the hope of securing qualification for Ireland. Having missed the cut for consecutive years, the pressure is on and the countries in the group are not going to make things any easier. Running-order wise Ireland are middle of the road in seventh place to perform out of a total of 18.
If you haven’t heard the track yet, how very dare you! Give it a whack and make up your own mind, but I warn you the odds are not in our favour.
Ireland are 2/9 not to qualify, 3/1 to qualify, 40/1 to win semi-final 2 and 50/1 to win outright.
Ones to watch:
Poland
Poland have gone for the dramatic ballad vibe with Michał Szpak and Color Of Your Life. Michał reminds me of Conchita Wurst, the 2014 winner for Austria. He has the beard, the long hair, the inflection when he sings, but is missing the drag queen element. Regardless, it should do well.
25/1 to win Semi-final 2, 1/3 to qualify.
Georgia
Georgia have gone down the alternative route with Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz - Midnight Gold. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but these sort of acts generally do well in the semi-finals.
80/1 to win Semi-final 2, 8/11 to qualify.
Australia
Australia’s entry this year, Dami Im - Sound Of Silence, is a tune. Stuck in my head, it has been on repeat and is one I will be taking away with me this year. Regardless of the track, the controversial nature of their presence in Eurovision would see them qualify, but it is worth a listen. Also 16/1 to win Outright…
3/1 to win Semi-final 2, 1/33 to qualify.
Belarus
This is my outsider pick for semi-final 2. They have only qualified in 4 out of 13 Eurovision Song Contest appearances and failed to qualify last year.
Their representative Ivan lets them down on stage presence, but it has all the makings of a good Eurovision song.
150/1 to win Semi-final 2, 10/3 to qualify.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria have a great entry with Poli Genova and If Love Was A Crime and appear to be a shoe in for the finals. It’s very relevant to what is currently in the charts and sounds an awful lot like Galantis - Runaway (U & I) which is probably why I am drawn to it.
10/1 to win Semi-final 2, 1/8 to qualify.
*Prices correct at time of publication.
Again 18 countries will perform, but only 10 will qualify for Saturday’s final, 14th May.
Ireland’s Chances
The Eurovision semi-final 2 will see Nicky Byrne take to the stage and perform Sunlight in the hope of securing qualification for Ireland. Having missed the cut for consecutive years, the pressure is on and the countries in the group are not going to make things any easier. Running-order wise Ireland are middle of the road in seventh place to perform out of a total of 18.
If you haven’t heard the track yet, how very dare you! Give it a whack and make up your own mind, but I warn you the odds are not in our favour.
Ireland are 2/9 not to qualify, 3/1 to qualify, 40/1 to win semi-final 2 and 50/1 to win outright.
Ones to watch:
Poland
Poland have gone for the dramatic ballad vibe with Michał Szpak and Color Of Your Life. Michał reminds me of Conchita Wurst, the 2014 winner for Austria. He has the beard, the long hair, the inflection when he sings, but is missing the drag queen element. Regardless, it should do well.
25/1 to win Semi-final 2, 1/3 to qualify.
Georgia
Georgia have gone down the alternative route with Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz - Midnight Gold. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but these sort of acts generally do well in the semi-finals.
80/1 to win Semi-final 2, 8/11 to qualify.
Australia
Australia’s entry this year, Dami Im - Sound Of Silence, is a tune. Stuck in my head, it has been on repeat and is one I will be taking away with me this year. Regardless of the track, the controversial nature of their presence in Eurovision would see them qualify, but it is worth a listen. Also 16/1 to win Outright…
3/1 to win Semi-final 2, 1/33 to qualify.
Belarus
This is my outsider pick for semi-final 2. They have only qualified in 4 out of 13 Eurovision Song Contest appearances and failed to qualify last year.
Their representative Ivan lets them down on stage presence, but it has all the makings of a good Eurovision song.
150/1 to win Semi-final 2, 10/3 to qualify.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria have a great entry with Poli Genova and If Love Was A Crime and appear to be a shoe in for the finals. It’s very relevant to what is currently in the charts and sounds an awful lot like Galantis - Runaway (U & I) which is probably why I am drawn to it.
10/1 to win Semi-final 2, 1/8 to qualify.
*Prices correct at time of publication.