Live EUROVISION 2025 - REHEARSALS AND FINAL DISCUSSION THREAD

[Sean]

Please post all discussion, content and reaction relating to the rehearsals in Basel in this thread!

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Semi-Final 1 discussion begins on page 38 of this thread.
Semi-Final 2 discussion begins on page 96 of this thread.
Final discussion begins on page 157 of this thread.

 

[I bims]

Last night I was in bed - not thinking about Austria winning but about Israel coming 2nd

Sweden not winning despite being the bookie favourite for almost the whole season is barely a thought lmao

 

[Verjamem]

The comparison between Ukraine and Israel in here is highly problematic tbh.
One of the two is literally running an entire government funded add campaign to whitewash war crimes ...
While the other is fighting for it's existence and wasn't even remotely close to winning this year.

But both of them blindly vote for a country, which botch the results.

 

[Storm]

While yeah but the reason people ultimately vote for them is the same, wanting to show support for a country at war. And Ukraine won their semi.

Ukraine is mostly voted by Ukrainian diaspora. I don't think it's "sympathy" vote plays a huge part anymore. But due to the war, there are Ukrainian refugees all over Europe. This of course isn't technically correct in the competition sense, but it's not any different to Turkish or Greek or Polish or Balkan diaspora voting for themselves in Eurovision since the beginning of time. This has ALWAYS been a thing in Eurovision. I don't know how this can be addressed without taking away televote.

Israel has a different angle though with this creepy coordinated campaign, the right-winger mobilization and maybe some corruption as well (wouldn't suprise me)

 

[GermanBango]

While yeah but the reason people ultimately vote for them is the same, wanting to show support for a country at war. And Ukraine won their semi.

To that I obviously agree. But when talking about Eurovision, they are comparable: both have their televote numbers boosted for a reason or the other. If one of the two someday loses those boosted numbers, that will benefit the other one.

The Israeli delegation will be delighted at the idea of Ukraine and Russia ending their hostilities, but not for the right reasons to be delighted.

I mean, my problem with this line of thought is that Ukraine has basically always been a powerhouse in the televoting. Even before this war started. While Israel literally came out of pretty much nowhere. They literally failed to qualify for the final six times since 2007.

 

[gigi_copp3]

The reality we can't accept right now is that it makes no sense to hold a contest with nations with such tension between the aforementioned nations and public influencing it in some way.

 

[I bims]

I mean, my problem with this line of thought is that Ukraine has basically always been a powerhouse in the televoting. Even before this war started. While Israel literally came out of pretty much nowhere. They literally failed to qualify for the final six times since 2007.

Yeah but Ukraine would've never WON their semi with this entry under normal circumstances. Their numbers are inflated by the circumstances, that's just a fact. It was just acceptable cause their entries usually would have done well regardless. Jerry Heil would've won this year even without the war.

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

I mean, my problem with this line of thought is that Ukraine has basically always been a powerhouse in the televoting. Even before this war started. While Israel literally came out of pretty much nowhere. They literally failed to qualify for the final six times since 2007.

That's because prior to the war Ukraine still used to have solid songs, some perfect for Eurovision. That's why Ukraine was successful. Now, do you think Bird of Pray or, let's say, Heart of Steel or even Stefania, their winning song (though I can say someone liking it) are the same level of Shum, 1944 even Gravity? I don't. Every country has good songs, every country has bad songs. In the last few years, since the war with Russia began, the only song I liked was last year's entry. The others were borderline qualifiers at best in normal years...

 

[GermanBango]

Yeah but Ukraine would've never WON their semi with this entry under normal circumstances. Their numbers are inflated by the circumstances, that's just a fact. It was just acceptable cause their entries usually would have done well regardless. Jerry Heil would've won this year even without the war.

I am not saying you are completely wrong but then again ~130 points for a semi winner is not exactly an otherworldly result. Quite the contrary actually.

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

I am not saying you are completely wrong but then again ~130 points for a semi winner is not exactly an otherworldly result. Quite the contrary actually.

But fifth in the televoting in the final is... excepecially with this song. Give this to the Uk and they come last with nul points again, just saying.

 

[EscGeek]

Let's not pretend like political shenanigans don't play a role in the ukrainian eurovision journey.
I know that comparing Israel and Ukraine is like comparing apples and oranges, but there are still clear parallels to be drawn.

 

[I bims]

I am not saying you are completely wrong but then again ~130 points for a semi winner is not exactly an otherworldly result. Quite the contrary actually.

A lot for their entry this year, it was a mess. Over huge favourites like Albania, Sweden and Estonia? People didn't genuienly like it more than either of these three, I don't buy it.

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

Another thing: Eurovision and the EBU should distance themselves from MoroccanOil. It's due time I think, otherwise this cooperation will also add more and more doubts regarding the regularity of the contest itself.

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

The reaction to the results has been pretty negative (based on online content, and talking to my admittedly small sample of friends and family). Wonder if the voting patterns will put big names off participating next year.

 

[seriouslyscratchy1]

I think because Martin Esterdale, the hosts, and the rest of the EBU were really worried that Israel was going to win - then they really need to rethink about their participation

 

[SpiritofKeiino]

A lot for their entry this year, it was a mess. Over huge favourites like Albania, Sweden and Estonia? People didn't genuienly like it more than either of these three, I don't buy it.

I thought Ukraine was poor in the SF and a bit better in the GF. It struck me as an entry that would barely have qualified if at all, if say Poland had sent it

 

[I bims]

The reaction to the results has been pretty negative (based on online content, and talking to my admittedly small sample of friends and family). Wonder if the voting patterns will put big names off participating next year.

The quality already took a nose-dive since only jury darlings win. This will have put off even more artists.

 

[Teaisloveable]

I have an ever growingly concerning feeling that the EBU is just going to do... Nothing.

They won't make a statement, they won't make change.

They clearly see what's happened, but the next year will go on, the process will repeat and we will see ourselves in the exact same position next year, likely with a far worse outcome.

Same jury/ televote system, same rules, same censorship, same marketing, same sponsors, same participants... Same same same.

 

[Verjamem]

I think because Martin Esterdale, the hosts, and the rest of the EBU were really worried that Israel was going to win - then they really need to rethink about their participation

Once during jury voting, Hazel pulled a face like she is going to pee herself or at least give birth. I think they were hearing the audience very well.

 

[aef]

HoD (?) (the guy with the glasses) reaction and dumb face when the televoting points were announced is so priceless. It feels so good. They really thought they won and that had flopped.

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

I have an ever growingly concerning feeling that the EBU is just going to do... Nothing.

They won't make a statement, they won't make change.

They clearly see what's happened, but the next year will go on, the process will repeat and we will see ourselves in the exact same position next year, likely with a far worse outcome.

Same jury/ televote system, same rules, same censorship, same marketing, same sponsors, same participants... Same same same.

Well, Österdahl is still there so... yeah, nothing will happen.