Talking about real men, how about this one: "be bold and relax, throw away your tension and laugh!" No wonder they want to laugh - what else can you do with that hair.

A national pride from Finland:

At the end, the ten qualified countries were: FINLAND!, Turkey, Sweden, Israel, Portugal, Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Armenia and Iceland. So we didn't do bad in our particular forecast (though we didn't like Malta and the Icelandic Blondie). One more year a thing was clear: the preview videos are much better (by miles) than the live performances. Clear examples were, for instance, Montenegro and Bulgaria (in the latter the male singer was pretty pathetic).
For those of you that still wonder what this live-blogging thing is all about, you can check the one we did for this semifinal. This time it was mostly Finnish (Kiitos Kati, Tintsu, Anne ja Mari), but if you scroll down to the middle you will find some bits in English while Cim joined from Florida (Loistava Cim!). In principle next saturday will be some Asturian, Catalan and Scotish participation, so the mixing of languages is bound to be larger.
The best were the performances during the breaks: Russian (formerly red) Army Choir, dancers, cheerleaders... you name it. Quite cliché but always fun. See you on Saturday for the Final!!!
Al final los diez clasificaos fueron: FINLANDIA!, Turquía, Suecia, Israel, Portugal, Malta, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Rumanía y Islandia. Así que les nuestres predicciones nun fallaron muncho (si quitamos Malta y la roxa d'Islandia que nun nos molaron nada). Un añu más quedó bien claro que los videos de presentación son muncho (pero que muncho) meyores que les actuaciones en vivo. Claros exemplos fueron Montenegro y Bulgaria (especialmente n'esti últimu el cantante fue penosu).
Pa los que tovía vos preguntais qué ye esto del live blog, podeis mirar el que ficimos pala semi. Esta vez la composición fue mayoritariamente Finesa (gracies Kati, Tintsu, Anne y Mari), pero si mirais pola mitá'l "live-blog" vereis un cachín n'Inglés cuando Cim entró dende Florida (thanks Cim!). Pala final espérase participación d'Asturies, Escocia y Catalana, asi que la mecigaya de llingues promete :)
Lo meyor les actuaciones nes pauses, el coru l'exércitu (enantes "rojo") Rusu, bailles tradicionales, cheerleaders, tolos topiconos pero mui prestosos. Vémonos el sábadu na final!!

Jasmin and her hair in 1996.... What was the hair stylist thinking? Luonas....ups! She missed the lyrics!

Hi you euroviisu enthusiasts on the opposite edges of our continent! I'm really thrilled to see tonight's show, although I'm quite badly prepared this spring. Well, at least I'll have something to look forward to, since I haven't heard all the songs yet. Anyway, I briefly have to comment on the Scandinavian participation in this year's contest.

Firstly and not that I'm taking any sides, Finland's song is sounding better the more I listen to it. In the national contest earlier this spring I thought that Waldo's sounded bland and old fashioned (I'm not too keen on the nineties' style) but now I have started to think that the song really works and even the video in all its simplicity is good. The hectic dance beat works for me for the first time since Darude's Sandstorm.

Sweden trusts on glamour this year, although I think that the show is above all a humoristic one. The singer looks like she really is not serious about the whole thing. This song would suite perfectly in a drag show (to be honest, I first though it really was one:)- in all its glitter and pompousness. Anyway, I like this kind of kitsch.



Norway's Alexander is a hottie, the show is energetic and happy. Perhaps I'm too old, because in all the trendyness and bursting energy for me it feels a bit unfocused, somehow too much. Denmark's song is a refreshing back-to-basics love song, which they often offer in these arenas, but there's nothing particular in the song. Not a winner, I think. Iceland is on the same track, but the girl is a good singer and a joy for the (male) eyes. Where does this small nation find these interesting, strong artists year after year? But the classic ballad will not be in the top three, I anticipate.

Anyway, the Scandinavians will do well in the competition 'cause all the shows are produced carefully. Perhaps the final umph is missing, but you never know until the points start to gather on the chart. Have fun tonight!

Espanja. This year Spain's song is yet a disappointment. Following the hottie+eastern rhythms is hopeless against the steaming Turkish singer or the Ukranian sex bomb.
Esti añu nun me da más pola canción española. Apuntáronse a la fórmula maciza+ritmos de l'Este y por esi camín poco tenemos que facer contra la maciza de Turquía o la bomba sesuarrrl d'Ucrania

Finlandia. Quite catchy but I'm unsure whether this band has enough kitsch spirit to get far in the competition (I'd rather like them to sing in Finnish). Still we'll support them in the 1st semifinal next Tuesday (12.5)
Anque pegadiza, pamidea fálta-yos el componente hortera necesariu (amás de cantar n'Inglés). Aún así animarémoslos na 1a semifinal del martes que vien (12.5)

Quick in English. As lovers of kitsch, pop, queer and ethno-erotic-percussive music we can now discuss the Eurovision contest from home. Next May 16th (21:00 Asturies; 22:00 Suomi) take place the Eurovision finals, due to various reasons we cannot meet live to celebrate the happening. The day of the contest will be here a post where everyone can comment in real time everything going on (hot singers, curious dancing, interesting costumes...). If you have Internet at home and a computer next to your tv you don't need more. Just enter this site and start writing at the live-blog window.
In the meantime I'll try warming up the waiting by uploading some videos relating to the event. Let me know if you want to upload stuff here in the meantime and I'll send you and invitation!
Asturian, Finnish, English and any other language (or mixture of them) can be used (aren't we clever?)
Let's start with a photo at the first rehearsal of Finland...