The road to the Grand Final begins with what looks set to be one of the most competitive and eclectic semi-finals in recent Eurovision memory. Semi-Final One offers everything Eurovision fans could ask for: riotous party anthems, dramatic ballads, polished radio pop, bold staging concepts, and even a closing burst of metal. While a handful of entries already feel destined for Saturday night, there are plenty sitting in that dangerous middle ground where staging, running order, and one unforgettable performance could change everything. Here are my predictions for Semi-Final One.

Viva, Moldova – Satoshi
Moldova enter with a riotous anthem that is an instant earworm and pure Eurovision joy. A perfect show opener packed with energy and charisma, this feels like a guaranteed qualifier.


My System – Felicia
Sweden’s entry is a euphoric dance number that captured attention at Melodifestivalen. While it has clear international chart potential, it may not quite deliver enough of a Eurovision moment to challenge for victory. Qualification, however, feels very safe.

Andromeda – Lelek
Croatia go full otherworldly with a divisive but memorable entry. Early reports suggest the staging is stunning, which could elevate this even further. Musical marmite perhaps, but standing out is half the battle, and this certainly does.

Ferto – Akylas
Greece are currently second favourites with the bookmakers to win the entire contest. A major pre-contest fan favourite, this cartoonish bop is hugely memorable and could very well top this semi-final.

Rosa – Bandidos de Cante
Portugal continue to do Eurovision entirely on their own terms. This is a beautifully delivered ballad with real authenticity, though it risks getting lost among louder entries unless the harmonies truly land live.

On Replay – Bzibeki
Georgia’s Junior Eurovision stars step up to the main contest with a polished pop number complete with choreography. It has divided Eurovision fans, but there is plenty to like here. Borderline, but hopefully enough to sneak through.

Per Sempre Si – Sal Da Vinci
An Italian icon arrives fresh from Sanremo victory. As part of the Big Five, qualification is not an issue, but this serves as its first major Eurovision showcase. It is dated, undeniably cheesy, but also undeniably fun. The bookmakers seem optimistic.

Liekinheiten – Pete Parkonnen & Linda Lampenius
Finland have been among the favourites ever since their national selection, and there is little doubt this will qualify comfortably. Any controversy around their live instrumentation advantage will likely be forgotten once the performance begins. This feels built for the stage.


Nova Zora – Tamara Zivkovic
Montenegro deserve far more attention this year. This dark, brooding pop track is vocally strong, addictive, and has only improved following its Eurovision revamp. A genuine dark horse.

Too Epic To Be True – Vanilla Ninja
Having previously represented Switzerland and finished in the Top 10, Vanilla Ninja now compete under their own flag. The bookmakers have cooled following rehearsals, and many dismiss this as generic. Personally, it ticks plenty of boxes and I would love to see it qualify.

Michelle – Noam Bettan
Israel once again deliver a multilingual effort anchored by a genuinely outstanding vocal performance. The political context may either propel this comfortably through or hinder its chances entirely, but as a song and performance package, it is undeniably strong.

Fire – Sarah Engels
Germany’s Sarah Engels is an established name at home and brings a commanding vocal to this slick dance-pop number. Songs like this either soar or vanish without much impact. A personal playlist favourite, though juries may be less convinced.

Dancing On The Ice – Essyla
Belgium bring a former The Voice finalist with a polished dance bop and strong radio appeal. However, Belgium’s recent history with upbeat entries in the semi-finals has been shaky. Let’s see if Essyla can reverse that trend.


Sólo quiero más – Lion Ceccah
Lithuania’s Lion Ceccah has finally earned the chance to represent their country, and Eurovision fans are firmly behind this. Reports suggest ambitious staging plans, which may be essential, as while this is a bold ballad, it is not an instant standout. The hype may currently exceed the song itself.

Superstar – Senhit ft. Boy George
Senhit returns for San Marino determined to surpass Valentina Monetta’s Eurovision legacy. Unfortunately, Boy George feels more distracting than helpful here. This is a fun disco-driven number, but qualification looks unlikely. A shame, as Senhit remains a Eurovision gem.

Pray – ALICJA
Poland finally allows ALICJA her Eurovision return after originally being selected for the cancelled 2021 contest. With one of the contest’s strongest vocals and an eclectic, impactful entry, this has all the ingredients to qualify.

Kraj mene – Lavina
Closing the show, Serbia brings metal to the Eurovision stage. The genre has a surprisingly strong contest history, and this should qualify with relative ease. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but memorable enough to leave a final impression.

As always, the Eurovision semi-finals have a habit of making fools of even the most confident predictors. Every year there are entries written off too quickly, unexpected qualifiers, and shock eliminations that leave fans reeling. While several songs in this line-up feel close to guaranteed finalists, this semi-final has an unusually wide middle pack where almost anything could happen. With strong staging likely to prove more important than ever, Semi-Final One feels poised to be one of the most unpredictable and dramatic qualification battles in recent Eurovision history.