Basel Bulletin: the big five and Switzerland

📷 EBU/Corinne Cumming/Sarah Louise Bennett/Alma Bengtsson

The Big Five and Switzerland have their second rehearsal. We have no liveblog from EBU, however we are expecting 30 seconds videos later today. We also have pictures.

🇩🇪 Germany

Germany’s Abor & Tynna have been riding the positive wave on social media. The duo shared behind-the-scenes snaps from Basel and thanked fans for their support, with Tynna joking that she “might need a new boombox after that performance!” Their playful, upbeat posts convey confidence and gratitude, showing they’re enjoying every moment of their Eurovision journey with the fans.

Abor & Tynna delivered a high-energy “Baller” rehearsal with a dramatic ’80s flair. It opens with Abor on a glowing white electric cello before a curtain drops to unveil Tynna standing atop a giant boombox prop. Four dancers and pulsing LED graphics join the mix, creating a gritty warehouse party vibe with flashing “BALLER” visuals. Pyrotechnics cap off the number as the boombox “explodes” amid fireworks. The performance is being hailed as a “huge glow-up” from the German national final. Eurovision bloggers and fans praised the inventive staging – one Reddit user gushed that it “looks absolutely amazing” and said the clip raised their “hopes up a LOT”. The edgy Lara Croft-meets-rave styling and the sibling duo’s musical prowess have earned Germany a surge of online excitement. 

Despite the buzz, Germany is still seen as an underdog. Bookmakers have kept “Baller” around the lower mid-pack – roughly 19th to 24th position in the odds – but there’s hope that this memorable staging could boost their ranking during live shows.

🇫🇷 France

On social media, France’s Louane has been gracious and heartfelt. The French star shared that representing France on the Eurovision stage is “a dream come true ✨” and thanked fans “infiniment” (infinitely) for their support. In an Instagram post after rehearsals, she posted a photo of herself amid the falling sand with a caption about feeling her mother’s presence during the performance, reflecting the song’s personal theme.

Louane delivered a powerful first rehearsal of “Maman”, built around a central hourglass theme. On a dimly lit stage, sand poured steadily from above as she stood barefoot in a flowing black lace gown, spotlit within a circle of sand. At one point, she knelt and cleared the sand to reveal a mirror beneath. Each gesture followed the rhythm of the drums with precision. Fans and media alike praised her performance. The sand motif captivated many viewers; one fan on Facebook described Louane’s staging as a “universe of realness and emotion,” comparing it to a past winner and adding, “Can see this winning now.” Commentators frequently linked her emotional delivery to Barbara Pravi’s 2021 performance, while highlighting how Louane brings a distinctly modern, pop-chanson style to the Eurovision stage.

Louane remains firmly among the favorites to win Eurovision 2025. France is currently the 3rd favorite in the betting markets with roughly a 7% chance to win. Her odds have held steady (around 11/1) and even improved slightly after the impactful rehearsal, narrowing the gap behind front-runners Sweden and Austria. There’s a sense that France’s odds could shorten further if the strong rehearsal buzz continues into the jury show.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

The UK’s all-female trio Remember Monday have been infectiously enthusiastic on social media. After their rehearsal, they tweeted, “And we’re back – FIRST REHEARSAL DONE!!! ❤️”, showing both relief and excitement. A TikTok followed, playfully referencing the “morning after” theme with confused wake-up expressions, echoing the song’s storyline. The trio has also been chatting with fans on Twitter, joking about needing “a bigger chandelier budget next time.” Their posts remain upbeat and self-deprecating, and they continue to thank fans for “all the love from London to Basel,” clearly eager to do the UK proud.

Their first rehearsal for “What The Hell Just Happened?” made a strong impression. It begins in a Regency-style boudoir before erupting into neon chaos, complete with a crashed chandelier and vivid lighting. The scene transitions smoothly between calm and chaos, ending with a return to the quiet boudoir and one final harmony.

Reaction to the rehearsal has been largely positive. Many fans praised the bold concept, calling it one of the UK’s most creative stagings in recent years. Reviewers highlighted the trio’s “powerful, three-part harmonies” and authentic stage presence. While a few felt the staging was slightly over-the-top, most agree that the UK has taken a welcome creative leap. The group’s chemistry and humour are winning over new supporters.

Bookmakers currently place the UK mid-table. Before rehearsals, the trio sat around 13th in the odds. Some outlets have since shortened their odds, citing growing buzz, though others still rate the UK as an outsider, with odds near 100/1. Overall, Remember Monday’s rehearsal has helped the UK’s momentum, and with continued strong performances, the entry could climb higher in the coming days.

🇨🇭 Switzerland

Host nation Switzerland’s Zoë Më was visibly moved after her first rehearsal on home soil. The Basel-born singer shared a heartfelt Instagram message, calling Eurovision in her hometown “the journey of a lifetime.” In a behind-the-scenes clip, she nervously smiled and said, “C’est parti – let’s go, wish me luck!” blending French and English. After rehearsing, she tweeted, “One shot, one soul – I felt every second on that stage 🙏.” Zoë has continued engaging with fans in French, German, and English, thanking them for their support and feedback on the staging.

Her performance of “Voyage” takes a daringly minimalist route: a single, uncut three-minute handheld shot. With vintage film lenses and moody lighting, the staging focuses entirely on Zoë, seated in darkness and framed like a painting. As the song builds, soft lighting, wind effects, and audience phone lights add subtle movement. Reactions have been largely positive. Press described the staging as “cinematic” and praised the emotional intimacy. Fans were split—some found it “hypnotic” and powerful, while others worried its stillness might not capture casual viewers. Nonetheless, the home crowd gave Zoë an extended ovation, recognizing the risk and vocal precision.

In the betting odds, Switzerland holds steady in the 15th–17th range. The rehearsal hasn’t shifted expectations dramatically, but some analysts now call it a potential “sleeper pick” for a top 10 finish, especially if juries reward the artistic vision. While not a frontrunner, Zoë’s staging has earned widespread respect—and if it connects in the final, Switzerland may quietly climb the scoreboard.

🇮🇹 Italy

Lucio Corsi keeps a modest presence on social media, posting simple, heartfelt updates. His recent posts — including a lyric quote and sunflower emoji — align with the reflective tone of his performance. Fans have responded warmly to his sincerity, and the atmosphere around Italy’s entry is quietly confident.

Lucio Corsi stayed true to his artistic roots in his first Eurovision rehearsal, delivering a near-replica of his Sanremo performance. Dressed in his signature mustard bolero jacket with shoulder pads and white makeup, he sat at a long piano while vintage-style speakers and a sepia filter evoked a 1970s rock vibe. English subtitles appeared on screen for key lyrics, and midway through, Lucio transitioned to center stage for a harmonica solo before closing the song alongside guitarist Tommaso Ottomano. The reaction was largely positive. Fans and press praised the performance’s authenticity and clarity, calling it “sharper and more sophisticated” than before. The subtitles were widely seen as a smart addition. Supporters celebrated Lucio’s decision to keep the Sanremo spirit intact, while some noted the act may feel understated next to more theatrical entries. Still, a viral fan moment — Lucio taking time to meet a supporter after a six-hour wait — reinforced the goodwill around his candidacy.

In the betting odds, Italy remains steady. Lucio sits just outside the top 10, currently between 12th and 16th place. Bookmakers list him at around 20/1 to 30/1, reflecting respect rather than frontrunner status. A top 10 finish seems within reach, particularly if juries reward his sincerity and style.

🇪🇸 Spain

Melody has embraced the support. On social media, she posted, “Primer ensayo superado! Qué emoción, mi gente!!!” with fire and heart emojis. On Instagram, she called the moment “incredible” and thanked the stage crew. She reposted fan art and a video of girls copying her dance, replying, “Vosotras sí que sois divas!” Her tone has remained energetic, grateful, and empowering—just like her song.

Melody’s first rehearsal brought theatrical flair to Basel, with a performance split into three bold acts. It begins in deep purple lighting, with Melody in a black corseted outfit, fedora, and thigh-high boots. Three male dancers join for flamenco-pop choreography. Act Two brings fiery red lighting and two female dancers as Melody drops the hat and intensifies the movement. Act Three explodes in white, matching the lyric about rising to the top. All five dancers join for the climax, ending with a surprise dance break. Fans and press reacted passionately. Spanish media highlighted clear growth in energy and presence since earlier previews. Many praised the staging’s ambition and Melody’s vocal strength despite intense choreography. “Winner vibes” trended on X, and “Viva la diva” caught fire among Spanish fans. Still, some found the visuals overwhelming or dated, and questioned how sustainable the vocals would be. Overall, the rehearsal transformed Spain from under-the-radar to showstopper status.

Spain’s odds improved dramatically. From 36th place before rehearsals, Melody has climbed to 18th. Betting sites now show Spain as an outside contender, with some analysts tipping it for a potential top 10 finish.

 

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Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update. This week brings news on the 2026 host city race, national final announcements, small-country concerns, leadership changes, and possible voting rule changes. Here’s everything you need to know. 🇦🇹 1. Oberwart and Ebreichsdorf out of the race Two Austrian towns have dropped out of the 2026 Eurovision host city competition. Oberwart confirmed it won’t submit a bid. The local exhibition hall can hold about 4,000 people, which doesn’t meet Eurovision’s requirements. Source Ebreichsdorf has also ended its plans. The proposed venue, Comer City, faced timing issues. City officials didn’t give it the green light. Source Graz is still in the race. The city council will make a decision this Friday. Source Other cities still preparing their bids include Vienna, Linz/Wels, Innsbruck, and St. Pölten. ORF will reveal the host city on August 8. 📷 placesofjuma.com 🇳🇴 🇫🇮 2. Norway and Finland kick off national final season Norway and Finland have started preparing for their Eurovision 2026 entries. In Norway, broadcaster NRK opened submissions for Melodi Grand Prix 2026. Source NRK’s music manager says they want unique songs. Entries should have something special—something people want to hear again and again. Let’s see who follows in the footsteps of Kyle Alessandro. Finland is also moving forward. UMK 2026 opens for submissions on August 18. Source The submission window will close on August 24. The national final takes place on February 28 in Tampere’s Nokia Arena. At that day, we know who will be the Finnish contestant after Erika Vikman. Winners of MGP and UMK will represent their countries in Austria next year. 🇸🇲 3. San Marino talks to the EBU San Marino wants changes before joining Eurovision 2026. RTV director Roberto Sergio says the country will meet with the EBU and other small states. Source He hopes San Marino stays in the contest but only under fairer conditions. Small countries like his often feel overlooked. They usually don’t get a real televote and depend on algorithms. San Marino wants equal chances. Talks with the EBU and possibly with Andorra or Monaco may change things. If not, San Marino could stay out in 2026. 4. Ana María Bordas leads Reference Group Spain’s Ana María Bordas now chairs the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group. Source She began her two-year term in June. Bordas replaces Switzerland’s Bakel Walden. As RTVE’s Head of Delegation, she helped shape Spain’s Benidorm Fest. Bordas says she wants teamwork and unity. Her goal is to support all broadcasters and make Eurovision even stronger. She will help lead the 2026 planning process. 📷 RTVE 5. Voting changes on the table More broadcasters are speaking out about the current voting system. Norway, Spain, Belgium, and Iceland want change. Source NRK says, according to newspaper VG, that the EBU is open to discussion. The Reference Group will address the issue this summer. One major concern is how televoting works. Viewers can vote up to 20 times per device. Some fans use multiple SIM cards to vote more than allowed. Critics say that’s unfair. In 2025, Israel won the public vote despite having low streaming numbers. Many suspect a large, government-funded voting push helped them win. The public and jury votes don’t always align. Broadcasters want more balance and trust in the system. The EBU is expected to review the rules before next year’s contest.   Share

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