Now I’ve yet to see a run through of the whole show yet, so I’m still unsure as to how they all marry in together, but here’s what I think about all of this year’s runners and riders.
Poland – Doomed. Accidental last place, anyone?
Norway – Probably through, but touch and go.
Albania – Possible jury saver.
Armenia – Borderline – in which case the diaspora will see it through.
Turkey – Doesn’t deserve it, but probably will.
Serbia – I fancy this is safe.
Russia – In like Flynn.
Switzerland – The draw could save this one. Still borderline, mind.
Georgia – Also borderline. Hopefully it’ll nick the point Turkey thinks it deserves.
Finland – The nans of Euro say yes!
Malta – The nans of Europe say no!
San Marino – One fears this will get lost in the crowd. Jury save part two.
Croatia – Ha!
Iceland – Ooh now, I think this will just about make it.
Hungary – I’ll stick my neck out here – no.
Portugal – I’ve got a sneaky fancy for a low-placed qualifier on this one.
Lithuania – Not if they were voting all night.
Azerbaijan – You would second guess this one to get through, but I fancy it’s just got the legs.
Greece – In a game of two halves, I fear the first half will hamper the second. Borderline.
So, my qualifiers, in no particular order are…
Norway
Armenia
Serbia
Russia
Switzerland
Finland
Iceland
Portugal
Azerbaijan
And one from Albania and San Marino from the jury. Oh what the heck, let’s plump for the old SM, just to be different!
I’ll add my aftermatch comments in now – “How wrong could a man be!”