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.

 

[Gitte]

Nah, agree on Estonia

 

[NemesisNick]

Portugal's qualification does not surprise me at all. The up-tempo party songs in the semi were just one massive overkill. Portugal simply stood out like a sixth toe.

Well tonight, Spain and Italy were voting, so I expect Portugal received a fair few points from Spain alone, and perhaps Italy. Don't forget, Portuguese is the natiional language of Brazil, and I guess Brazil was able to vote as part of Rest of the World.

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

I thought so too - until tonight when expected jury favourite Belgium was ousted.

So you think Belgium might have been a jury pleaser? I have my doubts... Imo, Belgium would have flopped aswell, even with the juries.

 

[henhu]

When will the qualifiers draw the halves?

 

[MAD20]

Can we just appreciate the effort the Swiss broadcaster has put into the show??????????? Amazing stage, amazing visuals, amazing sound theme, amazing hosts and amazing interval acts. Probably one of the best in recent times.

The 'Made in Switzerland' interval act kept me mesmerized from the beginning till the end. Genius!!!

 

[jatojo]

Estonia is quite frankly the biggest garbage I have ever seen on stage. I am sorry to say it but my god, it's not even remotely funny. This is a poster child for why juries are still needed in Eurovision. I know it's a massively unpopular opinion but I stand by that.

Well, the juries didn't punish Finland that hard in 2023 although the singer is tone deaf.

 

[esc87fan]

Not sure about where my votes are going in SF2 to be honest, my initial thoughts were putting some on Luxembourg and Denmark but I'm also thinking one or two on Latvia

I was very impressed with the production. And may I say Hazel is naturally funny

 

[GermanBango]

Well, the juries didn't punish Finland that hard in 2023 although the singer is tone deaf.

You are not completely wrong but come on, this one was a complete disaster.

 

[Jupiter]

That's an argument that is the bigger surprise than though. (What I said)

And who had as a favourite or qualifier? Like nobody I know

Iceland was the clear favorite among my casually ESC watching friends. Sweden, Belgium and Estonia were popular too, but everyone liked Iceland. It is also a clear Fan fave on Reddit.

And I think people are "more surprised" by Portugal because they like it less (and personally, because it was less deserved).

 

[Harry]

So if it doesn’t matter if you’re good or brutal are Russia and Belarus allowed to participate again? And are China allowed to broadcast? Asking for a friend EBU luv x

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

Italy doing one of my least favourite things... pretending to play the piano for 20 secs, then walking away to start pretending to play the guitar... but with a twist - walking away to start pretending to play the harmonica

Not Lucio's fault if instruments are not allowed to be played in Eurovision. In Sanremo he played them, and played them well...

 

[GermanBango]

So if it doesn’t matter if you’re good or brutal are Russia and Belarus allowed to participate again? And are China allowed to broadcast? Asking for a friend EBU luv x

 

[Mainshow]

I expect Portugal to qualiy with ease tomorrow - but let's wait and see

Sorry for quoting myself but I'm deliriously happy I was right about that one!

It was such a beautiful, warm moment on stage. Classy, authentic and mesmerising! I'm so glad they qualified!

When it comes to the other qualifiers, I'm very happy about all of them as well.
I loved the Azerbaijani entry but it didn't sound great on TV at all whereas Slovenia (none of my favourites) was beautifully staged BUT it lacked the "empathy" component in the recap and came across rather dull without getting to know the story behind the song or seeing Klemen's wife again and therefore, I'm VERY happy about the results.

Yeah, I could have lived without the Ukrainian entry this time but honestly, it's a quality entry, quite alternative with some beautiful moments (and some folklore/alternative hooks) - maybe they wouldn't have qualified in semi 2 (even despite the so-called diaspora/sympathy vote) but in semi 1?? - Come on, it was a sure-fire qualifier.

I am also VERY VERY happy that I don't have to see/hear/watch the Belgium, Cyprus and Croatia again - especially the first two songs were part of my Bottom 2 this year - I still fail to see why a tiny part of the hardcore fanbase thought that some screeching and a monotonous bass was a contender for victory.
Cyprus looked stiff, sterlised even (still impressive) but where was Theo's voice?

I'm very glad since I basically got a 10/10 tonight after watching the show - AND - I'm very happy for San Marino and Iceland qualifying again!

 

[jatojo]

You are not completely wrong but come on, this one was a complete disaster.

Estonia was an instant hit with me when I heard it the first time (like Germany and very few others). The live performance was bad - vocally -, but his dancing is fun. If his voice had been good, the song would have been in my top 5. As it is, Estonia is my 9th favourite.

 

[GermanBango]

Estonia was an instant hit with me when I heard it the first time. The live performance was bad - vocally -, but his dancing is fun. If his voice has been good, the song would have been in my top 5. As it is, Estonia is my 9th favourite.

Tastes differ and that is completely fine. No shame in that. Would be boring if we all liked the same songs.

 

[Realest]

Time to watch all the reaction videos now.

 

[Harry]

@ Martin Österdahl where u at babe

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

Sorry for quoting myself but I'm deliriously happy I was right about that one!

It was such a beautiful, warm moment on stage. Classy, authentic and mesmerising! I'm so glad they qualified!

When it comes to the other qualifiers, I'm very happy about all of them as well.
I loved the Azerbaijani entry but it didn't sound great on TV at all whereas Slovenia (none of my favourites) was beautifully staged BUT it lacked the "empathy" component in the recap and came across rather dull without getting to know the story behind the song or seeing Klemen's wife again and therefore, I'm VERY happy about the results.

Yeah, I could have lived without the Ukrainian entry this time but honestly, it's a quality entry, quite alternative with some beautiful moments (and some folklore/alternative hooks) - maybe they wouldn't have qualified in semi 2 (even despite the so-called diaspora/sympathy vote) but in semi 1?? - Come on, it was a sure-fire qualifier.

I am also VERY VERY happy that I don't have to see/hear/watch the Belgium, Cyprus and Croatia again - especially the first two songs were part of my Bottom 2 this year - I still fail to see why a tiny part of the hardcore fanbase thought that some screeching and a monotonous bass was a contender for victory.
Cyprus looked stiff, sterlised even (still impressive) but where was Theo's voice?

I'm very glad since I basically got a 10/10 tonight after watching the show - AND - I'm very happy for San Marino and Iceland qualifying again!

Belgium and Cyprus were my bottom two of the semi aswell... the first is noise, the second is meh.

 

[Teaisloveable]

Maybe an unpopular opinion but if Ukraine was not Ukraine, I don't know if their qualification would have been so set in stone tonight

 

[GermanBango]

@ Martin Österdahl where u at babe

I loved how they didn't even bother to interview him this time.