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Bird of Prey by Ziferblat
With three wins and an unblemished qualification record since their debut in 2003 Ukraine is Eurovision’s most successful late starter. You could argue that since the Russian invasion in 2022 they’ve had something of a boosted sympathy vote, but earlier results demonstrate that the quality has long been there.
Enter Ziferblat, last year’s Vidbir runners-up, with this. It’s a bit of a mishmash of styles with some jazz elements alongside indie guitars and a garden setting with costumes that hint at a hippy summer of love. The lyrics talk of finding a soul mate but also tug on a sense of home, spring, hope and renewal. Standard current Ukrainian fare really.
If at first you don’t succeed, goes the old adage; try, try again. I’m not so plussed that Ziferblat have, if I’m honest. I didn’t connect with their song last year, and I just can’t find anything to enjoy in this one.
If this weren’t Ukraine, and if the semi-finals weren’t televote-only, I’d say this risks that qualification record, but with Ukrainians still widely dispersed, and with support for Ukraine still high, not least due to Trump’s treatment of President Zelenskyy, this will likely have little trouble passing to the final. I wouldn’t have it there on merit though. A rare miss for Ukraine, and by a huge margin.
My marks: nul points
Photo: Anya Wayne/EBU