After last weekend’s Super Saturday it now feels like we’re into the calmer waters of the final weeks of national finals.
Yes, we’ve got the deluge of internal selections playing the “let’s release our song as late as possible” game. God forbid they release before late February and set themselves as an early benchmark, that would never work. Would it France?
But in terms of televised national selections we are down to our final six, split evenly with two outright finals per weekend for these last three weeks. The days of trying to watch seven shows at once are done for 2024.
I think it’s fair to say that whether it’s the influence of a certain Finnish lad in a bolero outfit or the banishment of the juries from their midweek duties, this is set to be one of the most…eclectic Eurovisions in recent times. With San Marino and Croatia selecting their representative this weekend are we going to get something a little more ‘sensible’?
Absolutely not!
San Marino is the only country selecting their act this evening, and given they once sent Valentina Monetta to Eurovision eleventy million times in a row they are now suddenly spoiled for choice.
I’m going to level with you dear reader, I have not followed the Una Voce Per San Marino process closely this year. I value both my weekday evenings and sanity a little too highly. However, we have now found ourselves with a fascinating final.
If San Marino were so inclined they could choose The Last Polar Bear, an AI created piece. I doubt they will however, as it’s writing is so clunky it’s more suited to an early 2000s Eurovision than a 2024 Contest. Worrying how close they’re getting though…
There are some great rock choices that have made it through the week’s heats. Namely, XGiove’s Nostalgia or Megara’s 11:11 would be worthy entries for Europe’s favourite underdogs.
There will be other choices amongst the automatic qualifiers too. Italy’s 1997 Eurovision representative Jalisse would be the most eye-catching name in any other year. San Marino have seemingly assembled a genuinely decent wee mix here. But surely, there can only be one?
Fresh from her seventh place in Italy’s Sanremo, the legend that is Loredana Bertè will be competing to win San Marino’s spot at the Contest. The iconic blue hair, that unique raspy delivery and the glorified air of a woman who’s spent decades in the ‘biz just provide Loredana with an aura like no other.
This time last month I doubt representing the most serene Republic was high on Bertè’s agenda. Upon realising Eurovision was to be in Stockholm (not quite) she stated she was keen on going if only to annoy her ex-husband, former professional ball smasher and big hair have-r Bjorn Borg.
I’m sure the reasons for an artist trying to make it to the Eurovision Song Contest are wild and varied. However, trying to make it to the big stage to piss off a former flame has to be up there.
Sure, as a song Pazza isn’t her best effort. Perhaps the wider Continent won’t fully appreciate her style either, but there’s no doubting that Loredana would only add to the grand tradition of iconic Sammarinese acts (removing last year from living memory, that is). For so many reasons, there really is no Bertèr option…
🇸🇲 Loredana Bertè will win Una Voce Per San Marino 🇸🇲
The only other nation choosing their act this weekend is Croatia, with the final of Dora taking place on Sunday night. If you were hoping they may add a more sensible choice to this year’s line up then YouTube view numbers would suggest this two horse race may not be the one for you.
A quick glance at HRT’s Dora channel on YouTube shows two entries riding high in the six figure view count. Whilst this is no true indication of likely success the fact it’s last year’s winner versus the act with the Continent wide momentum behind it, suggests this is where we’ll find our winner.
Sure, I like Baby Lasagna but I also like Let 3. But who’s better? There’s only one way to find out…
If by “FIGHT!” you mean a national final compromising 25% international jury, 25% national jury and 50% televote.
Let 3 are the beloved returning heroes. They smashed this competition last year with a much stronger field. However, they too had a stronger entry in 2023. Babaroga isn’t hitting the same heights of Mama ŠČ! but given their popularity and their typically insane live performance they cannot be counted out.
However, it does seem like the prevailing wind is behind Baby Lasagna. Which, contrary to Twitter’s trending topics, is a musical act and not a horrific sounding recipe…
It’s truly mind boggling that given the dross that makes up the majority of this year’s Dora line up that Rim Tim Tagi Dim wasn’t in the original line up. Much like Yugoslavia dropping out of Euro 92, allowing Denmark to take their place and become champions, the eventual winner might never have even been part of the line up in the first place!
Am I saying that Baby Lasagna is the Peter Schmeichel of Dora 2024? Yes, yes I am.
Now, let’s be honest the semi final performance was far from perfect. Messy camerawork, mic technique gone wanting at points and an imperfect mix all leave one yearning for more. However, this is still a diamond in the rough of an entry. There’s a lot of work needing done, but the effort could be worth it.
Rim Tim Tagi Dim may not be troubling the top of the scoreboard like Cha Cha Cha did but it still has the most potential for Croatia at Eurovision. Either way, we’re going to end up with more chaos on stage. Let 3 will push them close but…
🇭🇷 Baby Lasagna will win Dora 2024 🇭🇷
Elsewhere, three of our other selections will narrow down their line ups. The giant that is Sweden’s Melodifestivalen lumbers towards it’s final. Iceland’s Söngvakeppnin will cement their final line up with two more finalists and a wild card. Lastly, the Continent’s most laid back selection, Festival da Canção will get underway in Portugal.
With just over two weeks to go, the Eurovision 2024 national final season is nearing it’s conclusion.
And I still have no idea who’s winning!
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