Shalom! This is it, it’s the big finale. The final jury rehearsal is done, half of the final scores are now decided. So now, it is time for the team to sit down and lay down their cards for what they think the final outcome will be…
Kylie: This is a very interesting final for me. While it seems like it’s pretty packed on the surface, thinking about it now, this could be another 2015 where a top few songs swallow up all the points and everyone else is left fighting for scraps. Just my gut feeling.
John: It’s weird isn’t it, you always think you know what’s going to happen and who’s going to win, but you can never be entirely sure until the points start to come in. But quality-wise I’m thrilled with how this year’s final has turned out.
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So, who’s going to win?
Kylie: I know I’m biased, but The Netherlands easily. It feels like it would take a 2016-level voting screw-up to stop it at this point. This would be the first time since 2012 that my favourite won so I’m incredibly nervous but incredibly hopeful.
John: “Arcade” looks and sounds like a winner and I really believe that The Netherlands can do it. All that remains is to find out whether it will be a Fairytale/Euphoria-style coronation or whether The Netherlands will have a close-run fight on their hands. If you’re looking for another candidate for victory then look no further than Australia – I just hope the televote will be kind to them this year.
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Who’s in with a shot of the top 10?
Kylie: For me, the race for 2nd is going to be very interesting. Australia seems a prime candidate, but I worry about its potential televote (insert all your conspiracies on Europe not wanting to vote for Australia here).
Another one that I think has a real good chance of potentially being second is Switzerland. I said in my Semi 2 predictions that they have reasons to be hopeful, and a great final running order slot has cemented it for me. This will be THE big uptempo entry of the year, I reckon.
Russia is an obvious top 10 candidate as we’ve always said. Unfortunately for them, that early running order slot has completely snuffed any chances of them winning the televote. Another obvious candidate is Sweden, but all signs seem to indicate that it’s probably not going to get a big televote. Similar story for Italy except they’re a bit more of an unknown quantity.
On the opposite end, Spain could sweep up a good number of televotes given that it’s such a fun closer for the show. Another seemingly televote-friendly song is Azerbaijan, so we should see them there or thereabouts.
As for the rest of the top ten? Hell if I know. Maybe Iceland will be novel enough to do it?
John: I’m hoping Malta will be in the mix – being the show opener doesn’t mean it can’t do well. I expect Russia will do well, Sweden, Switzerland, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Cyprus… I’m interested to see how Europe responds to France as well. And we may see one of either Serbia or North Macedonia up there on the basis of those magnificent vocals.
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And… who’s going to get the wooden spoon?
Kylie: Easy answer – Germany. They didn’t even try just by looking at it.
John: I’m not expecting a very high placing for Germany but I’ll be interested to see if they can avoid the last place that people seem to think they’re destined for. Another easy answer would probably be San Marino. And it really hurts me to say this, but after what seems to have been a slightly ropey jury rehearsal I fear the UK may be in trouble…
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So there you have it! Those are our final predictions. Will they come to fruition? Will there be a huge spanner in the works? In any case, enjoy the show, best of luck to all our finalists, and we wish you all a Happy Eurovision Day!
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