PIF PAF PREVIEWS & PREDICTIONS: SUPER SATURDAY MK: I

11 of the 36 countries yet to publicly reveal or choose their song will have some kind of broadcast step in their selection process over the next 36 hours. Old laptops, phones, tablets and any other kind of screen with an internet connection will be being dug out by Eurofans to keep up with this musical onslaught. Here’s everything we have to look forward to this weekend.

North Macedonia 🇲🇰

Friday, 19:15 GMT, (20:15 CET)

North Macedonia has adopted the Czech template, with the music video release, online vote & reveal format for their selection. It’s been doing well for the Czechs but the North Macedonians forgot one crucial step, choose quality songs. It’s a heady mix of bland and outright bad to choose from for the former Former Yugoslav Republic of. The highest high of Tamara Todevska’s jury vote win in 2019, already seems a long time ago now.

Prediction: Lara – Flower of Sorrow

Ireland 🇮🇪

The Late Late Show – Friday, 21:35 (22:35)

The irony of this being called The Late Late Show when Sanremo exists is not lost on the weary Eurofan. The Irish selection sways toward the Macedonian quality, but with the saving grace of a few decent entries. You’ve got to hope for the sake of this former powerhouse tonight will be a straight fight between Brooke Scullion & Rachel Goode for the win. I think just edging it will be…

Prediction: Brooke Scullion – That’s Rich

Italy 🇮🇹

Sanremo – Friday & Saturday: 19:40 (20:40)

I’ve already made my feelings clear on our Sanremo hopefuls earlier this week, though I would say Dargen D’Amico has now taken my own personal #1 slot. Let’s just enjoy the madness for a couple more nights and hope for a Fiorello return on Saturday The winner? An easy bet.

Prediction: Mahmood & Blanco – Brividi

Estonia 🇪🇪

Eesti Laul – Saturday: 17:30 (18:30)

Such is the dearth of quality in this year’s Eesti Laul I don’t really have much investment at all. After the dodgy sound mixing of Thursday paired with Elina Nechavyea’s attempt to audition for the next Jackass movie, my main hope is a better night for the backstage staff. If there’s any justice Jyrise will make it through to the final with Plaksuta, the only vaguely inventive entry in the 2022 lineup.

Prediction to qualify: Jyrise, Black Velvet, Púr Múdd & Shira, Stefan, Anna Sahlene

Norway 🇳🇴

Melodi Grand Prix – Saturday: 18:55 (19:55)

After being one of the strongest selections in 2021, Norway has failed to live up to the same standard thus far in 2022. However, Saturday will see the live debut of one of the most hotly anticipated MGP entries with the mysterious Subwoolfer finally performing Give That Wolf a Banana. A lively stage show could cement its place as the bookies’ favourite for the win Of the competitive entries, given the success of the dramatic Hammer of Thor last week I’m going to go for the equally atmospheric…

Predicition: Maria Mohn – Fly

Lithuania 🇱🇹

Pabandom iš naujo – Saturday: 19:00 (20:00)

After the Roop’s lap of victory in 2021 it was expected that PiN would return to the quality of 2020 but like MGP it’s all felt like a bit of a letdown. However, this definitely feels like the stronger of the two semis that should elevate the quality of the final. I mean, you could say that if it was just Ieva Zasimauskaitė on her own.

Predicition to qualify: Ieva Zasimauskaitė, Rūta Loop, Augustė Vedrickaitė, Monika Liu

Sweden 🇸🇪

Melodifestivalen – Saturday: 19:00 (20:00)

It’s back! The Swedish light entertainment juggernaut returns to dominate the local TV listings for the next six weekends. This is entirely based on the song snippets and selected media reviews but it seems Theoz has the banger of the night in Som du vill and Cornelia Jakobs’ Hold Me Closer could be a beautiful contribution to proceedings. However, it’s been pointed out that the returning Robin Bengtsson’s snippet doesn’t live up to the overall quality of the entry. Calling direkt till finalen might be a little tricky…

Prediction: Final: Robin Bengtsson & Theoz, AC: Cornelia Jakobs & Malou Prytz

Latvia 🇱🇻

Supernova – Saturday: 19:05 (20:05)

Now this feels like a national final that’s upped its game, I can’t recall Supernova having such a wide and varied selection for the past few years. Yeah, that song with that opening line will open the show and surely make it through but there are actually plenty of quality entries in there to enjoy as well. For Latvia to succeed at Eurovision, though, they have needed Aminata Savadogo to see them through and it feels like this year is no different.

Prediction to qualify: They’re choosing ten so I’m not listing them all. let’s go for Aminata, Citi Zēni, Beatrise Heislere, Miks Dukurs & Raum.

Slovenia 🇸🇮

EMA – Saturday: 19:20 (20:20)

I haven’t followed EMA Freš and also haven’t heard the snippets of the preselected entries. So who knows at this stage?

Prediction: Everyone to have a jolly good time.

Israel 🇮🇱

The X Factor – Saturday: 19:30 (20:30)

Whilst The X Factor may be long dead here in the United Kingdom it lives strong in Israel. Saturday will see their four finalists battle it out for the chance to represent the 2018 winners in Turin. It is perhaps not too surprising that The X Factor format has not yielded anything particularly outstanding but neither are any of the four potential songs absolute no-hopers. If you’d go for the one that best shows off the artist involved then the obvious choice is…

Prediction: Inbal Bibi – Marionette

Iceland 🇮🇸

Songvakeppnin Entry Reveal – Saturday: 19:50 (20:50)

Not a selection but on Saturday we will find out those in contention to follow the global viral sensation of 2020 who managed a fourth-place finish in 2021 despite not being in the veune. Yeah…