Noelinho.org

Eurovision Semi Final 1 has been and gone, and so here is a copy of the live blog from the evening, just so there is a record of it somewhere.

Thanks to everyone who visited – it wasn’t a swarm, but I didn’t really want it to be, but you were all good company for the evening.

Live Blog

2250: Welcome to Noelinho’s live commentary for semi final 1 of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest! I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am.

2251: The comments facility will open just before the semi final starts. In the meantime, do have a look at the running order in the table above, or take a visit to one of the linked websites.

1830: So, Eurovision Semi Final 1 starts in 30 minutes, time to get this live blog up and running!

1832: Hopefully nothing will break this evening, we’ll see as everything continues. If something goes wrong, wait a minute, then refresh the page.

1834: So, who’s going to qualify tonight? Five countries are already qualified (Spain, Germany, France, Italy and the UK), ten will qualify tonight and another ten on Thursday.

Chris Wilson: ah the advantage of paying for it, you always get through…

Noelinho: Indeed! I’d hate for the UK not to get through to the final, but then perhaps having to earn our place might make us take the competition more seriously?

Chris Wilson: UK, taking euro vision seriously!!!! never! I, for obvious reasons, want Ukraine to get through.

Noelinho: Yes, I do like the Ukrainian song actually, I think it’s a good hope for qualifying too.

1839: I’m hoping and expecting Stella Mwangi to qualify for Norway tonight. She sings second, which isn’t always a great position, but she certainly deserves to go through.

1841: Another one to look out for is Turkey’s entry, “Live It Up”. Doesn’t seem to be well-fancied, but it is distinctive and it could be a good dark horse to do well.

1844: Finland’s Paradise Oskar sings tenth, with “Da Da Dum”. Some eco-nonsense about saving the world, but it’s a lovely tune, in the midst of mediocrity – after Georgia and before Malta and San Marino. It should rise above these entries and qualify comfortably.

1849: In the second half of tonight’s semi final, Kati Wolf sings for Hungary with the catchy “What About My Dreams?” It’s been very popular, though some have been concerned about the quality of Kati’s rehearsals. We will only see for sure tonight!

1851: If you’re looking for a “nul points” tonight, look no further than Portugal. If you’re busting/ hungry/ thirsy at any point, take those three minutes. You really won’t be missing much. If Portugal get through to the final, I will be amazed.

1854: Okay, so… five minutes until the semi final starts. Who will qualify tonight? Who won’t? Any dark horses? Will anyone flunk it? Who will finish top?

1857: And also, the big question of the night for me… do I watch the semi final on British TV (BBC Three) or Norwegian TV (NRK1)? Decisions, decisions!

Chris Wilson: We’re not in this one…go Norwegian they care about it!

Noelinho: I am inclined to agree, NRK is the way to go!

1903: And so we are off in Dusseldorf! We have a comedian, a comedian, and a comic sound effect already!

Aimee: comedian in the loosest sense of the word!

Noelinho: Yes, he might start to grate by the end of tonight!

1903: Massive cheers for the United Kingdom and (predictably) Germany.

1905: The Norwegian commentator is very soothing, I thoroughly recommend foreign broadcasts! Anyone watching on the BBC?

Aimee: I am, but might try to find another station online- not a fan of Scott Mills or Sara Cox!

Ryan: Yeah. Cox had dreadful intro and nothing yet to say for Mills. rnrnHosts are woeful though. Please someone make them stop.

1906: That’s right, everyone speaks Norwegian! We all love Norway!

1908: So, Poland up first then, and we’re off!

1910: I have to say, the Polish entry hasn’t taken me at all, and this performance has been no different. Bland, unoriginal, unworthy of a place in the final.

Aimee: Totally agree. Dull. Next!

1911: Stella Mwangi up next! Haba Haba! I have a soft spot for this one…

1915: And so the final gets a bit of African soul. Haba Haba is the kind of song that gets it right first time. Should score well. The audience definitely enjoyed it.

1916: So, Albania up next. I’m struggling to remember this song, and I awarded it just 3/10 in my Eurovision preview…

Aimee: Did she just ask if she could share her sock with me?rn

Noelinho: I didn’t catch that, although I don’t have any song lyrics in front of my either!

1920: Okay, so maybe it’s not as bad as a three, but the Albanian song just sounds like it’s trying too hard.

1921: Armenia. I’ll be honest, I’m not expecting much of this either. Another 3/10 rating.

1921: “Boom Boom, Chucka Chucka” – was this written for Sri Lanka’s Murali?

1923: You get to the end of the Armenian song, and you just don’t feel like it has gone anywhere. It’s a “no” from me. Thank you, goodbye, be on your way.

1924: So, Turkey next, and it’s looking like they could be the second best of what we’ve seen so far.

1928: Okay, so we’ve seen the first five entries in the semi final, any thoughts?

Aimee: Don’t think we’ve seen a winner yet…

Ryan: Sara Cox makes me want to shoot myself.

Noelinho: I’m quite happy with my Norwegian commentary. Also, I think you’re right about a winner, Aimee. I expect Finland or Hungary may top this semi final.

1933: Not much of a break before we launch into the Serbian entry… It comes across quite well. Not sure if it’s the bright colours or the competition though…

Aimee: Like the 60s theme, not sure about the song tho…

Aimee: Like the 60s theme, not sure about the song tho…

1935: Russia were soundly booed in the Eurovision final last year, can they do better this year? I suspect they can. We shall see…

1939: ***Please refresh the page for a recent comments box in the sidebar***

1940: Anna Rossinelli next, for Switzerland. Few people seem to expect this to qualify, but I do quite like it myself. Maybe I might just vote for this underdog!

evija: This far this is one of the best!

Noelinho: Evija! Willkommen! Jeg elsker denne sangen!

Jimmy: Swiss was the nest for me so far. All very John Lennon!

evija: I like måte! :)

1941: Hoping no one notice the wrong flag appear there…

Ryan: Don’t worry. We did.

1945: I’ll be honest, I’m struggling to keep up with the pace of this… we need a break! Anyway, Georgia now. I like it, but it sounds just like Evanescence to me.

Jimmy (in Hamburg): Georgia..wow what a voice!! Got my girlfriends hamsters headbanging!!

1946: Phew! A break! I need one!

1948: Finland up next. This song has grown a lot on me since it first won the Finnish National Selection. I think it might top the scores tonight.

Aimee: Ooh liking this one!

Noelinho: It’s good, isn’t it?!

evija: My nr.1! It is a bit nonsense, I agree!

Ryan: Oh this has got to win. Stand out best by miles. Love it.

Jimmy (still in Hamburg): It’s a bit sickly…whre are Lordi when you need them…hamsters now asleep after that songrn

Noelinho: I think it’s my favourite out of this semi final now, having heard it live.

1951: That’s by far the largest cheer we’ve had all night.

1956: Apologies for missing Malta there, I’m busy beavering away on things here. Decent song, I thought, will struggle to qualify though.

Aimee: I always have a spot spot for Malta, but wasn’t a fan of that.

1958: San Marino now. Not likely to win, let’s be honest. And, if they’re honest, they’d struggle to host Eurovision anyway. Still, it’s good to have them around.

Ryan: After the apparently awful Jury rehearsal, and not much support for it elsewhere, can see this down the bottom.

Noelinho: Really? I’ve not heard anything about the Jury finals. Good info!

Ryan: From what I’ve read anyway. Backing singers didn’t perform.

1959: ***Looks like live updating recent comments won’t be happening tonight, I’ll see if I can get it going for Thursday***

2002: I really want to like the Croatian entry, but Daria’s voice just isn’t good enough. This one will stay in the semi. It’s not as good a track as Kati Wolf’s when it comes to the dancy numbers.

evija: Totally agree! It could be good song. It has a nice melody, but that voice..hmm If I practise maybe I can do better!

2004: That just didn’t quite work, did it?

2005: Okay, on to Iceland. A touching tribute to Sjonni Brink. Touch and go on whether it will qualify though. I’m edging towards “no”.

2009: Okay, so we’ve had fourteen songs, who’s your favourite? Who’s going home?

2010: So, Kati Wolf up next. Can she get her vocals right? If she can, she’s a sure-fire qualifier!

Ryan: I’ll say it now. This ain’t going to qualify. Sadly.

Noelinho: I think she’ll still get through in about seventh/eighth. But it’s not what it could or should have been.

2014: Some of that track was a little uncomfortable to listen to vocally. Will it cost Kati? I think she’ll still get through, but her card may be marked for the final, I suspect. A winner she may not be. Audience appreciative, but not ecstatic.

2015: Portugal. MUTE YOUR TV NOW. This is just plain awful. Make a cuppa, come back in three.

evija: :D I see why You “like” it, it’s simply excellent!

Ryan: I see they replaced one of the singers with someone else who couldn’t sing.

Noelinho: Haha, that made me laugh Ryan. Evija, did you mean that about the Portugese entry..?

evija: yes, sure they are so great like Dustin the turkey :)

Noelinho: No, this is not as good as Dustin the Turkey!

evija: well, Dustin is the classics!

2016: If this is Portugal’s best export, it’s no wonder the rest of Europe needs to bail them out.

2018: Can I have my life back yet?

2020: Right, just about regained my sanity for Lithuania. This is at least better than their 2006 effort, “We Are The Winners”.

evija: I like it, actually!

Noelinho: The Lithuanian entry? Oh, yes, I like it too :-) But it ends too quickly, which makes it feeling like there’s something missing.

evija: for me it was just long enough, right in time! Laba! (good in LT and LV)

2021: Don’t you just feel like you’re in the middle on a Disney Winter Wonderland in this song?

2022: I opened my eyes, but Cinderella was not there. Disappointing after all that.

2022: And doesn’t the song just end a little abruptly?

2025: Azerbaijan, living off foreign imports since they first entered Eurovision. Yes, it’s a good song, but it doesn’t really represent Azerbaijan, does it?

evija: It was not so good as I expected. Videos were better.

2026: I do like the backdrop though! This really should qualify.

2027: So, final entry for the first semi final… Greece. And my Eurovision Twitter stream has finally exploded.

2029: I’ll be honest, I’m not really much a fan of this. A typically Greek entry, though.

Ryan: What were they thinking with the rap? Sounds awful

2031: So, there we have it, Greece finish our run of nineteen, and with a bit of Eurovision magic, we’ll be down to ten very soon…

2031: Right, come on then, who are the ten qualifiers going to be? Put your picks in order, and then I’ll make myself look stupid by doing the same!

evija: 1.Finlandrn2. Switzerlandrn3.Hungaryrn4. Icelandrn5. Norwayrn6. Lithuania that’s pretty much it, maybe I forgot something

Ryan: In order of performance: Norway, Turkey, Serbia, Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Iceland, Hungary, Portugal, Azerbaijan

2040: Right, so, in order of performance, according to my ratings of their performances, I have going through: Norway, Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Hungary, Lithuania, Azerbaijan.

2042: I see Blue are being interviewed on BBC Three. You lot are missing a wonderful video from the host broadcaster in Germany! NRK are much better…

evija: only one problem wit NRK – comentator sounds like calling from Alaska! But it’s the same with SVT

Noelinho: It’s because the commentary lines are down in Dusseldorf. Went down 10 minutes after the programme started.

evija: oh, yes right! I heard they said something about it!

evija: Min stemme er registrert! I can vote! yeey!

Noelinho: Evija, Suomi? :-)

evija: Ja, ja naturlich!:)

Noelinho: Fantastisk!

2049: ***Whilst I have a moment, I’d like to say thanks for popping in! I’m glad it’s all worked as I hoped! Hopefully you’ll join me again on Thursday and Saturday! And maybe I will have added a couple of things too!***

2050: Ryan, can you click on the “home” link please? I think you keep submitting the same comment!

Ryan: Is this better?

Noelinho: Yes, it only causes a problem if you manually refresh the page. Better to click “home” – although the main content refreshes every ten seconds :-)

Noelinho: *Including the comments. It’s just the recent comments I can’t get to auto-update at the moment – working on it for Thursday!

Ryan : Oh right *covers F5*

2052: So, British viewers seem to be subjected to Sara Cox, whilst I am treated to a wonderful drumming band!

2058: Germany and the UK have *definitely* had the largest cheers this evening. Worth noting that France *didn’t* get such a cheer. An indication of Saturday night, perhaps?

2059: The audience seem to love Lena (obviously) and Blue, but not so much Amaury Vassili.

evija: Well, soon you’ll join the audience! So, cool! :)

2100: Right, here we go, the results are almost in!

2101: So, the finalists are…

2102: Serbia!

2102: Oh no, this will play havoc with my flags!

2102: Number two… Lithuania! Deserved indeed. I love that Disney song. I want to hear it again.

Ryan: Something makes me think some of the people didn’t vote for the song…

evija: I’m really happy! Feels like it was for Latvia!

2103: Number three… Greece. I knew they would make it through, but I’m really not a fan. Sorry.

2104: Finalist number four… Azerbaijan. Again, it was clear they would get through. Should do well on Saturday. They always do.

2104: Finalist number five… Georgia. Evanescence live on. It’s a decent entry, but doesn’t feel very original to me.

2105: Finalist number six… SWITZERLAND, YES! Det er fantastisk! Oh, that was worth it!

evija: Ja, jeg liker denne sang! :) Hvor esr Oscar?!!!rn

2106: Finalist number seven… Hungary! I thought Kati would get through, but she needs to perform better on Saturday. Good track when done well.

2107: No Finland yet.

Ryan: Hope my vote wasn’t wasted….

evija: Evija is waving with Finnish flag

2107: No Stella either.

2107: Finalist number eight… Finland! It was always going to go through. Two spaces left. Will Stella and Norway make the cut?

2108: Also, Turkey aren’t through yet.

2108: Norway and Turkey, the last two perhaps?

2108: Finalist nine… Russia. Oh, I forgot about them… Deserved, but it’s squeaky bum time now.

evija: it must be Norge!

evija: Noooo way…

Noelinho: I know…

evija: well, now I can say Hanne WAS BETTER!!!

Noelinho: Yes, Evija, she *was*, but I don’t think people would have voted for her either :-(

2109: And the last finalist is…. *drum roll*

2109: Iceland… Oh my, and we have an unhappy Nordic country…

Ryan: Great for Sjonni though.

Noelinho: Indeed, it is good to see it go through.

2111: Stella Mwangi didn’t go through. That’s disappointing. Perhaps the number two position hurt her more than I thought it would? Or maybe people just didn’t take to it on a Tuesday night. I’m a little sad about that.

2112: Well, what do you make of all that then? I thought Norway and Turkey were sound qualifiers. What do I know!? Any thoughts?

Ryan: I had an inkling it was touch and go for Norway. But Turkey not going through is a huge shock, I was tempted to go for it to win as well…

Noelinho: I didn’t think it would win, but I thought it would be a top ten contender certainly.

evija: It feels sad a little. Norwegians were already started to celebrate- they were so sure about their getting into final. At least they do great job in icehockey!

Noelinho: Yes, the ice hockey has been good! Oh well, my hopes are with Eric Saade on Thursday now. Time for a quick chat?

evija: Now, I got a doubt if Sweden goes trough! sure- se you in skype!

2122: Well, thanks for popping in everyone. I’ll leave it open for a while for any last, bursting thoughts… otherwise, 1930BST/ 2030CET Thursday, yes? Would love to have you all back!

Ryan: Good to be a part of mate. I have a suggestion but will send ya a DM about it. See ya again Thursday hopefully!

Noelinho: Cool, that’s great! I’ll do my best with any suggestions!