Phil: Well as we like to say round here – Shit my old boots! Ukraine’s first rehearsal changed everything. There’s lots of metal, a few semi-naked boys, some drums. Everything a Eurovision song should be and more. Svetlana Loboda could well wee right over Alexander’s Chips and give them back to him soggy and possibly runner-up!!
IMHO, this has blown the contest wide open!
Franko: Well I have to confess even though this is my least favourite Ukrainian entry ever, it does have something about it … mainly a performance. On the basis of what I saw in the hall though, it needs work. It’s slightly messy. There’s wheels and ladders, drums and fireworks and the gayest dance routine ever to feature in Eurovision. All of this should guarantee it instant cult status and a fast track to Eurovision sainthood by the holy father Mr Wogan himself (if he was taking part this year). I can’t however rid myself of the feeling that it’s not there yet. The wheels malfunctioned, there were some slight sound problems and I was never quite sure what was going on. I’m told it’s far more effective on screen which I’ll judge for myself shortly. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t bad or anything. It’s definitely sailing through to the final and top ten when it gets there but at the moment it’s more Tina Karol than Ruslana.