Noelinho.org

2350: Welcome to Noelinho.org, Live! Unfortunately, we’re not live right now…

2351: Come back on Thursday evening, when we will be covering semi final 2 of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest!

Noelinho: Coverage will start at about 1930 BST/ 2030 CET. Come and join the fun!

1724: As you can see, the table has been updated with the running order for tonight’s semi final 2. Notables to look out for are Sweden (no.8), Estonia (no.15) and going nineteenth and last… Ireland.

1833: Just half an hour until Eurovision Semi Final 2 starts… I guess it’s time to crack on!

1837: Tuesday’s first semi final was good, although it was sad to see Norway sent home without qualifying for the final. Hopefully the same fate won’t befall Eric Saade and Sweden tonight.

Ryan: I take it you like your Scandinavian countries then?

Noelinho: Oh yes, I love Norway and Sweden especially! I have a soft spot for all the Nordic countries though.

1842: The focus tonight, in the UK at least, seems to be Jedward. They go nineteenth – you can’t really say they sing – and they divide both the UK and Ireland equally with their fans and detractors. Personally, I’m no fan. This is, after all, a song contest, and they can’t sing.

1844: So, who’s likely to go through tonight, and who might go home early? Any thoughts?

Ryan: Estonia and Sweden are gonna miss out. And I reckon Netherlands are going to finally get through a semi final for like the first time in forever.

Noelinho: That’s a big call on Estonia and Sweden. I do hope you’re wrong. Not a massive fan of the Netherlands’ entry, but I did love last year’s!

Ryan: Yes… last years was… different. Its still their best chance at qualifying in a long while still

evija: Sweden and Estonia- definitely go to the final, the rest is still mystery.

Noelinho: Hey Evija :-) I think there are a few others we can be confident of, but it is a weaker field today.

evija: I “hope” this is weeker semifinal, than there is bigger chance for LV! (I still feel patriotic!)

Noelinho: And you should! I think Latvia should go through. We’ll see though. It’s probably not quite as popular as it might deserve.

1850: Personally, I think this is the weaker of the semi finals, but the last five are quite interesting: Estonia, Belarus, Latvia, Denmark, Ireland.

1900: Right, semi final 2 is starting now! Introductions first, then Bosnia & Herzegovina open the show.

1904: Was last year the first time three people have presented the Eurovision Song Contest? It seems to have set a trend.

1906: Right, here we go. Bosnia & Herzegovina set us on our way. Look out for the awful fake piano playing.

Ryan: I thought they got rid of that… *cries*

Noelinho: They should have. It makes the song seem worse than it is. Although even then, it’s not great.

evija: They can go home! Sorry!

Noelinho: I agree. I am not a fan of this entry at all.

1909: I see Scott Mills picked up on the “fantastic” (ahem!) piano playing…

1911: Nadine Belier up next for Austria. She is a good singer, but this is a slow number, not much to it. It sounds nice enough, but I’m not convinced it’s the kind of entry that people will vote for. Juries may not be won over easily either.

1914: Third up, The Netherlands. It does seem to be quite popular generally in Europe, but I’m not really won over. Thoughts?

evija: It’s a good “background noise”, not bad, but not that exciting as well.

1915: The sound is very familiar, but I can’t put a name to it…

1917: I wasn’t over-awed by that. Still, Witloof Bay up next for Belgium. Acapella, beat boxing… it’s interesting. I like a lot more than most people seem to!

Ryan: Make it stop… two minutes to go? Nooo.

Noelinho: I admit, it’s a acquired taste!

evija: I don’t like a song itself, but acapella is really great- how they make all the sounds! Good!

1923: Slovakia up now. The TWiin in white on the right of shot, her dress reminds me of Denmark’s Chanee from last year.

evija: I quite like this one!

Ryan: What dress?

Noelinho: The white one.

1925: The song itself, not great. They’ve picked two beautiful women, but a rubbish song. It’s a shame, really.

1926: So, we’ve had the first five and there’s not much to write home about so far. That should change after the break when Mika Newton sings for Ukraine.

1928: Can Mika Newton hit the high notes at the end of this song tonight? I hope so, because it’ll sound great if she can!

1929: I hope I misheard, but I’m sure I heard Mika sing “kristallnacht” there. Confusion can reign when people sing in non-native languages!

1930: I’ve still not been bowled over…

1932: Moldova up now, and it’s definitely one to miss. It’s no match for last year’s Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira with “Run Away” – and not to mention, Epic Sax Guy!

evija: I don’t like it. It’s just stupid!

1933: I think Moldova’s entry is competing well with Portugal for the Surrealist Entry of the Year award. It’s a close run thing.

Ryan: Portugal wasn’t surreal, it was just a group of time travelers who had accidently not signed up for the 1974 Eurovision.

1935: Ah, FINALLY! We have something worth seeing! It’s Sweden, Eric Saade, and let’s hope the glass works…

evija: Oh, poetic guy is on the stage! He should sing “I like your eyes, girl!” instead, than I wouldn’t mind!

1936: The backing singers seem a little off-key, but it’s not key to the performance. Pun-tastic!

1937: It’s coming…

1938: IT WORKED! The Swedish delegation will be wiping their brows after that!

Ryan: Thats Sweden qualifying then.

1939: Well, if Sweden don’t qualify tonight, they will be hugely disappointed. Easily the best we’ve had so far.

1941: And we’re back to a rather moodier entry as Cyprus hit the stage. I don’t see this qualifying, somehow.

1944: The start of the Bulgarian entry sounds like it could be a Coldplay song. That’s where the similarity ends.

Ryan: And the similarity to Pink begins?

Noelinho: Haha, possibly!

1948: I do quite like that song actually. I’d like to see it go through. “Na Inat” does sound like “not enough”…

1950: So, in to the second half, flicked the page of the table, and we go to Macedonia. This is another track I’d like to see in the final, although I can’t say I’m too keen on what looks like karate people in the background.

evija: I may like it, if only it was not that Russish!

Noelinho: You don’t like that it’s in Russian?

1950: I particularly like the interlude in this song!

1951: Oh, where did the girl come from?

1952: Dana International… this one has grown on me. Shamefully. Oh, go on, you’re allowed the odd indulgence. And this is definitely odd!

1953: It always surprises me that the Israeli entries throw up so many oddballs. I clearly have a warped view of Israel. Israelis are crazy. In a good way… I think.

evija: :D Yes, but seems like they’ve had some lack of them, so they had to take the same one more time.

1954: Yes, finally, a decent key and tempo change! It really is the making of this song! Ding-dong, in the final, please!

1957: I’m losing track of where we are… Slovenia already. Maja Keuc is a good singer, it’s quite a nice song. It has, to me, a slight Charlie’s Angels feel to it. I’m not sure why though.

1959: I did rather enjoy that.

2000: Right, so, Romania next. The lead singer is British. I’ve not decided whether I like this or not. I haven’t really listened much. But it’s well-liked in Europe…

Ryan: Woooooo, massively biased, but this is going to be awesome.

Noelinho: Everyone has a bias! I’m quite enjoying it actually! It’s very British!

evija: I think this goes to the final! It is quite ok!

2004: Right, so… five to go. And they’ve all got something about them! I’m looking forward to it!

2005: Getter Jaani & Estonia now. Watch for the magic at circa 28 seconds!

evija: Oh, Eesti was so good again! This far my favorite!

Noelinho: Yes, but will you like it more than Latvia?!

evija: I think, I like it better than LV! But quite equal.

2006: Getter is just adorable…

2009: I love Belarus… Nothing political about that, is there? Still, it’s got a good beat to it, but I wish there was a little more to the song.

Ryan: I say the UK should send a song called I Hate Belarus next year for laughs, cos if this got through political lyric judging…

Noelinho: I’d prefer “I hate Portugal” after this year!

2012: Oooh, nice fireworks, this one has grown and grown on me. Go on, let it in the final!

2013: Ah, Latvia. Not Banjo Laura, but it is quite good. I’d like it to go through.

evija: Takk, Noel! I wish them luck now, as far my dream about Bajo Laura getting to ESC didn’t ccame true!

2016: That was good. My second favourite of the night, behind Estonia, ahead of Sweden.

Ryan: I agree, it was excellent.

2020: I’ve not really been won over by Denmark’s entry. A lot of people like it, but it just doesn’t stand out to me.

Ryan: If he hadn’t of used the catwalk I would have said that was the best tonight.

evija: I like this song, but I don’t like his hair!

2021: Oh no, Jedward next… Please, Europe DO NOT VOTE FOR JEDWARD. I beg you. I’ll pay you.

evija: Track nr.1 on your ipod, yes? :D “Enjoy”! I would like to see Dustin instead.

2023: The vocals are a mess, but the backdrop is full-on. It’s the authentic Jedward experience…

Ryan: The vocals are worse than I was expecting.

David: I thought Jedward were by far the best :)

Noelinho: Yes, I was also surprised by just how bad the vocals were.

2024: Give me Dustin the Turkey any day.

evija: I’m hoping him to returning next year! :)

2027: So, that’s all nineteen… so who’s your favourite? And who will go through?

Ryan: Romania, best by a country, country mile! (nothing to do with the fact the singer is from Newton Aycliffe).rnrnQualifiers: Slovakia, Moldova, Sweden, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Denmark, Ireland

evija: I write down exactly 10. So here they are: Estonia, Denmark, Slovakia, Latvia,Slovenia,Netherlands, Romania,Belgium, Israel, Bulgaria.

2031: So, my ten favourites are: Sweden, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Israel, Slovenia, Romania, Estonia, Belarus, Latvia and… oh, go on then, Belgium.

2038: My favourites were definitely Estonia, Latvia and Sweden. And it would be a shame if Dana didn’t get through too.

2040: Sara Cox: “When did you become a tenner?” Oh, I wish the BBC would employ people who speak correctly.

Ryan: Can you see why I was getting annoyed with her on Tuesday? She is dreadful, if she is on there in 2012 I’ll be hurting someone.

Noelinho: I can now! I tried to watch on NRK and SVT, but they placed geographical restrictions on their broadcasts tonight because they are allowed to vote tonight (I think).

Noelinho: Although now I think about it. I’m sure Evija said she voted on Tuesday!

evija: we can’t vote tonight- Swedes can, cause they are participating.

Noelinho: Oh, I wonder why I can’t watch it on NRK then?

2041: The places still left open for Saturday’s final are: 02, 03, 06, 07, 08, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23.

2043: Finland have drawn to open the final. It’ll be a good start, but it may hurt Pardise Oskar’s chances of winning.

evija: Oh, nei :(!

2051: UK definitely still getting a larger cheer than France in the Arena…

evija: I can vawe already! Takk for your royal mail! The big one is in “seat of honour” I’m not gonna wave by it- it’s saint!

2052: Ah. Lena. She is just wonderful.

Ryan: You’d think someone likes her…

2053: So, results are in…

2054: First to go through… Estonia! Thoroughly deserved, the pick of the songs tonight.

2054: Number two… Romania. I did quite like it tonight.

2055: Rushing through tonight! Third… MOLDOVA?! That’s a “WTF?” moment.

Ryan: Heyyy… I predicted that.

Noelinho: Really? Wow, good call. But who on earth voted for them?

Ryan: Those who think Eurovision is still a joke probably…

2055: Fourth…. Ireland. Jeez. No. Please. No.

2056: Fifth… Bosnia & Herzegovina. Better than the previous two.

2056: Sixth: Denmark. Yes, but what about Finland? Not surprised they’re through though.

2056: Seventh… Austria. Well, I’m going to be quite disappointed then!

evija: Not very much hope left for LV!rn

2057: Eighth: Ukraine. Well, I hope the last two are Lativa and Finland then. Oh, the suspense!

2057: Oh, and Sweden?!!

2058: Ninth: Slovenia. Oh my! Oh, wait Finland are through! I’m so confused!

2058: Tenth: Sweden. After Tuesday, that’s a MASSIVE relief!

2059: No Israel. No Norway. No Latvia. Half my picks only went through because they pay to…

evija: I feel a little upset! I am going to paticipate in LV’s final next year!

Noelinho: Are you going to enter and sing a song?

evija: I think I have no choice! Title is ready “I love Latvia! :) When those latvian peasants finally will understand what is Eurovision?!

Noelinho: Oh, can I be in it?! I’m not sure what I could do though…

evija: Sure! I think you can write lyrics and play piano the same style as it was in today’s first song. :D

Noelinho: Awesome :-)

2101: I’m still catching my breath from the speed with which those results were announced!

2111: Any closing thoughts?

Ryan: What will happen first… Ebbsfleet United winning the Premier League or the Netherlands qualifying from the semi final?

Noelinho: You would hope the latter, but I wouldn’t put much on it!

evija: Oh, why I started to like Musiqq..now I’m dissapointed!

Noelinho: I thought they deserved to qualify too!

2127: Well, that’s all for tonight! Back on Saturday… There’ll probably be less from me on Saturday, but I’ll try to sneak through what I can!