For Nick at any rate – as he has not heard the direct qualifiers yet!
Phil: Bosnia be to the starting today and, unlike the other 2 big Balkan stompers, Maria Sestic just leaves me cold. As has been said by members of the team (who are not me), it is the same song from last year but this time around, performed by a woman. And that might not be a totally bad thing … but I didn’t get that, and I don’t get this. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that BHG are trying a wee bit too hard. Yes, it builds nicely and looks good on the blue stage and, yes, it does do what it says on the tin but is that going to be enough to get it remembered from position number 1? Not so sure.
Nick: This would be a lovely, soft, relaxing antidote to all the circus acts and insanity that have gone before it. Sadly, there aren’t any. This means that Bosnia are going to have to work a little harder to make a name for themselves and earn that all-important phone call. I’m unconvinced that it’s more than nice. I’d cheerfully compare it to an ethniced-up take on last year’s opener from Switzerland, except I can’t see this lady stealing anybody’s shopping. The stage manager, who sounds worryingly like Hector from Hector’s House, sounds a bit bored… but then, he’s sounded a bit bored by virtually everything. It’s a really easy start to the final, it won’t scare the horses, but it mightn’t inspire them either.
Roy: It’s alright. Spose. Yes, it does that thing that the Balkan ethno-buildo ballad does very well. Starts quiet, builds to a powerful flourish and has everybody walking gradually to the front of the stage. Does what it says on the tin. And providing Serbia do make it to the final, this could eat a serious bite out of the side of their vote tin.