Handicapping Eurovision Song Contest 2009: 1st semifinal
This is the week, music fans, proposition-bet fans, and especially music prop-bet fans! The 2009 Eurovision Song Contest goes down this week in Moscow, with semifinal contestants competing on Tuesday and Thursday to determine the final 25 for Saturday’s sing-off.
Today, Live Bets Direct takes a gander at the first semifinal pool and after publicly (and privately) ruminating on these 42 singles, a list of fearless predictions on Tuesday’s results. All odds cited are courtesy of Bet365.com and represent the bookmaker’s odds on the given act qualifying for Saturday’s final, i.e. finishing in the top 10 in Tuesday’s semi-final.
In order of presentation, then, pencil in these ten acts:
• Sweden (2/7 to qualify for finals) – “La Voix” by Malena Ernman. Opera lyricism + dance beat = a very popular aesthetic choice in this year’s Eurovision, but “La Voix” has Ernman’s pipes and that will put Sweden in the top 10.
• Armenia (1/10) – “Jan Jan” by Inga and Anush. Is this a drinking song in Armenia? Shouldn’t it be?
• Switzerland (1/2) – “The Highest Heights” by the Love Bugs. Swiss entry depends on heavy turnout from Pet Shop Boys and/or recognition by jury for this talented group.
• Turkey (1/66) – “Düm Tek Tek” by Hadise. One of the overall favorites to take 2009 Eurovision at 2/1, one of the catchiest ditties in the competition combined with Hadise’ sex appeal to spare (but please don’t) should win Tuesday night going away.
• Iceland (1/4) – “Is It True?” by Yohanna. Though Yohanna gives a good performance, a weak pool helps this generic ballad’s chances more.
• Macedonia (11/8) – “Neshto shto ke Ostane” by Next Time. More beneficiaries of the weaker semifinal pool.
• Romania (4/6) – “The Balkan Girls” by Elena Gheorghe. Fluffy girls-night-out tune should score high with the “Sex and the City” fanbase.
• Portugal (1/2) – “Todas as ruas do amor” by Flor-de-Lis. Traditional sounding guitar fronted by fantastic voice: a tough combination for the competition to overcome.
• Malta (1/4) – “What if We” by Chiara. Whether by straight fan vote or jury assistance, Chiara is the surest thing on this board after Hadise: There’s a reason why the lady has two top-three finishes on Eurovision to her credit.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina (1/66) – “Bistra voda” by Regina. Word is Spain is displeased with the 25th slot reserved for its entry on Saturday. Regina may blow away those last-go anxieties as a favorite who comes through to close out the show with a win.
The Os Man’s advice: $10 on each of ‘em at Bet365.
Comments are closed.