Day 5. Live Blog 2nd Rehearsals

Today we will follow the 2nd rehearsals in Ahoy, and will keep you informed live.                                                 In Cooperation with: Eurovision Artists. Photo & Video Credits: EBU

17.15 – Ukraine

Last of the day Go_A, performs with a stand-in (Emmy) for singer Kateryna Pavlenko. Kateryna did not feel quite fit this morning, and in accordance with the security measures, she remains in quarantine pending a Covid-19 test. Whether the stand-in Emmy sings live, or whether the tape recording from the first rehearsal was used, is not entirely clear. Fact is, whether you like this genre or not … the act is rock solid. With a 9th place in the polls, Ukraine will undoubtedly easily qualify for the final.

16.50 – Azerbaijan

Also today, Efendi puts down a solid rehearsal. Here and there some minor flaws in song and dance, and a little more conviction than last Sunday. 21st place in the poll. A place in the final is certainly not excluded.

 

16.25 – Romania

Roxen performs in the same comfortable as last Sunday. Although vocally a little bit stronger than during the 1st rehearsal, Roxen comes across as nervous and anxious, which does not help her voice and the strong message of her song. 16th in the polls … Final perhaps , if she manages to recover.

16.00 – Israel

During the first rehearsal it became clear that it is sometimes difficult for Eden to combine singing and dancing. The whole act looks energic and modern, but also today, Eden has trouble with the combination of singing and dancing. 17th in the polls, but will Israel make it to the final?

 

15.35 – Belgium.

Hooverphonic still impresses today with their modest, sober and well-thought-out act. A welcome change from all the visual violence. Only a 20th place in the polls, but hopefully thanks to the professional jury we will see Belgium back in the final.

14.45 – Croatia

Vocally, this rehearsal sounds a lot better than the first. The act is well put together, Albina herself still seems a bit insecure and nervous. Hopefully she will get over that before Tuesday. Own the stage girl!! With a 19th place in the polls, a final place should certainly be possible.

14.20 – Norway

Today TIX puts on a much better rehearsal than last saturday, when the nerves seemed to be playing tricks on him. TIX has a high favor- and sympathy factor, and with a 15th place in the polls, we would like to see him back in the final.

13:55 – Cyprus

Elena once again puts on an okay rehearsal, occasionally she sounds a bit out of breath. With seventh place in the polls, Cyprus will reach the final without too much trouble.

1.30 pm – Ireland

Hard work has been done in the Irish camp in recent days. The whole thing seemed very messy last Saturday, during the 2nd rehearsal all the graphics come into their own much better, and it seems as if Lesley is running barefoot through a book, turning the pages. Vocally, there is still some gains to be made. With a 24th place in the polls, the question is whether it is all good enough for a final place.

 

13.05 – North Macedonia

While there were some minor flaws in his vocals last Saturday, today Vasil puts down a solid rehearsal, although it seems that, especially at the end during the last blow, he is holding back to spare his voice. North Macedonia ranks 32 in the polls. It is very doubtful whether Vasil will be able to qualify for the final.

 

11.40 – Australia

Just like last Saturday, no rehearsal in Ahoy , since Montaigne is not present in Rotterdam, but an exclusive preview

11.15 – Sweden

Tusse had still some problems with his voice last Saturday, this now seems to have recovered completely. On stage there was an apparently self-assured, radiant Tusse, with a well-thought-out, slick act as we are used to from Sweden. Sweden ranks 10th in the polls. We will certainly see Tusse in the final

 

10.50 – Russia

No changes in the act here either. Solid and stable act and vocals. The powerful message / ode to the Russian woman is very clear! Russia is ranked 14th in the polls. Finals should not be a problem. We would not be surprised if Russia managed to get a top ten, perhaps even a 5 position  in the final

10.25 – Slovenia.

In the second rehearsal for Slovenia, Ana comes out better than last Saturday. More confident in her singing and movement across the stage, although it seems her shoes are killing her. Slovenia is in 35th place in the polls. A final place will be a challenge.

10.00 am – Lithuania. The Roop shows  a solid,  dynamic act again in the 2nd rehearsal, with little or no changes. The Roop is ranked 8th in the polls. A top ten listing should certainly be possible for the Roop.

 

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Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly update on Eurovision. A foiled terror plot from Eurovision 2020 has come to light. San Marino is unsure about Eurovision 2026.  Slovakia confirms it won’t return, and Greece plans another national final. Here are this week’s top stories: 🇳🇱 Eurovision 2020 Terror Attack Plot Foiled Authorities have foiled a neo-Nazi plot to attack the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam. A trial in Luxembourg revealed a 23-year-old suspect had detailed plans to release cyanide or ricin gas through the Ahoy arena’s ventilation and set off explosives during the event. Police seized chemicals and bomb-making materials at his home, and Luxembourg’s intelligence service prevented the attack. Dutch organizers say they were unaware of the plan, which never unfolded as Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic. Later this week, they appeared to know at least something. The man has been found guilty and faces sentencing later this year. source: NOS 🇸🇲 San Marino Doubts Eurovision 2026 Participation San Marino RTV has not yet decided whether to participate in Eurovision 2026. General Director Roberto Sergio cited concerns about the voting system – expressing “perplexities regarding the voting methods of the juries and televoters” – and said discussions with the EBU are ongoing daily. He acknowledged the value Eurovision has brought to San Marino, noting the success of the new national selection and the country’s recent qualification for the 2025 final. The EBU has signaled possible voting method changes for next year, but so far no common ground has been found to address San Marino’s concerns. A final decision on 2026 participation is still pending. source: SMRTV 🇸🇰 Slovakia Rules Out Return in 2026 Slovakia’s public broadcaster confirmed it will not compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. In a statement to Refresher, the broadcaster explained that with its limited budget, the cost of participation would be higher than any potential benefits or revenues. Financial and management issues at RTVS (Slovakia’s national broadcaster) were cited as key reasons for sitting out the contest. However, officials did not close the door on the future. They indicated that once a new management is in place and if finances improve, Slovakia could reassess joining Eurovision again. Slovakia last took part in 2012 and has been absent from the competition since, after multiple non-qualifications in the late 2000s. source: Refresher 🇬🇷 Greece Plans National Final for Eurovision 2026 Greece will once again select its entry through a national final. The board of ERT (Greek national broadcaster) has approved an open call for songs for Eurovision 2026, cementing a second consecutive year of a public selection format. Last year Greece returned to a national final for the first time since 2017, and it paid off: Klavdia placed 6th at Eurovision 2025, the country’s best result in over a decade. Building on that momentum, ERT is reportedly looking to expand “Ethnikós Telikós” into a multi-show format – with two semi-finals and a final held during a dedicated “Eurovision Week” – instead of a single-night event. Details of the Greek selection process will be announced in the coming weeks. source: Eurovisionfun 📷 EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Other Eurovision News: Other News in Brief 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: Bobi Andonov, who sang at Junior Eurovision 2008, wants to represent the country in 2026. MRT has not yet confirmed a return. source: slobodenpecat 🇳🇱 🇩🇪 TV Series: A Eurovision-themed murder mystery series is in development. The German-Dutch project, backed by NDR and BNNVARA, mixes crime with the contest. source: dwdl That’s all for this weekly update. Stay tuned for another roundup next week as the road to Eurovision 2026 continues! Share

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Martijn

Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly update on Eurovision. A foiled terror plot from Eurovision 2020 has come to light. San Marino is unsure about Eurovision 2026.  Slovakia confirms it won’t return, and Greece plans another national final. Here are this week’s top stories: 🇳🇱 Eurovision 2020 Terror Attack Plot Foiled Authorities have foiled a neo-Nazi plot to attack the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam. A trial in Luxembourg revealed a 23-year-old suspect had detailed plans to release cyanide or ricin gas through the Ahoy arena’s ventilation and set off explosives during the event. Police seized chemicals and bomb-making materials at his home, and Luxembourg’s intelligence service prevented the attack. Dutch organizers say they were unaware of the plan, which never unfolded as Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic. Later this week, they appeared to know at least something. The man has been found guilty and faces sentencing later this year. source: NOS 🇸🇲 San Marino Doubts Eurovision 2026 Participation San Marino RTV has not yet decided whether to participate in Eurovision 2026. General Director Roberto Sergio cited concerns about the voting system – expressing “perplexities regarding the voting methods of the juries and televoters” – and said discussions with the EBU are ongoing daily. He acknowledged the value Eurovision has brought to San Marino, noting the success of the new national selection and the country’s recent qualification for the 2025 final. The EBU has signaled possible voting method changes for next year, but so far no common ground has been found to address San Marino’s concerns. A final decision on 2026 participation is still pending. source: SMRTV 🇸🇰 Slovakia Rules Out Return in 2026 Slovakia’s public broadcaster confirmed it will not compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. In a statement to Refresher, the broadcaster explained that with its limited budget, the cost of participation would be higher than any potential benefits or revenues. Financial and management issues at RTVS (Slovakia’s national broadcaster) were cited as key reasons for sitting out the contest. However, officials did not close the door on the future. They indicated that once a new management is in place and if finances improve, Slovakia could reassess joining Eurovision again. Slovakia last took part in 2012 and has been absent from the competition since, after multiple non-qualifications in the late 2000s. source: Refresher 🇬🇷 Greece Plans National Final for Eurovision 2026 Greece will once again select its entry through a national final. The board of ERT (Greek national broadcaster) has approved an open call for songs for Eurovision 2026, cementing a second consecutive year of a public selection format. Last year Greece returned to a national final for the first time since 2017, and it paid off: Klavdia placed 6th at Eurovision 2025, the country’s best result in over a decade. Building on that momentum, ERT is reportedly looking to expand “Ethnikós Telikós” into a multi-show format – with two semi-finals and a final held during a dedicated “Eurovision Week” – instead of a single-night event. Details of the Greek selection process will be announced in the coming weeks. source: Eurovisionfun 📷 EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Other Eurovision News: Other News in Brief 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: Bobi Andonov, who sang at Junior Eurovision 2008, wants to represent the country in 2026. MRT has not yet confirmed a return. source: slobodenpecat 🇳🇱 🇩🇪 TV Series: A Eurovision-themed murder mystery series is in development. The German-Dutch project, backed by NDR and BNNVARA, mixes crime with the contest. source: dwdl That’s all for this weekly update. Stay tuned for another roundup next week as the road to Eurovision 2026 continues! Share

Share
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