Tonight is the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest and things are looking promising for Denmark. Shooting star Søren Torpegaard Lund has previously told TT that he feels a certain weight resting on his shoulders, as Denmark has been doing poorly in recent years.
"Un-Danish" number
Last year was the first time in six years that the country made it to the final; however, it only finished in twenty-third place. This year, however, it could be different. "Før vi går hjem" is a modern number that "feels un-Danish," according to the artist.
I think many people choked on their coffee when they saw the number. They're not used to Denmark having such solid Eurovision numbers and putting in so much effort.
When it comes to the odds, Denmark is definitely the best in tonight's semi-final; only Australia's Delta Goodrem is tipped as a favorite.
"I am honored to be here and will do everything I can to ensure Australia takes it home this year," she told TT earlier this week.
Delta Goodrem is a superstar back home in Australia and has had a role in the TV soap opera "Neighbours." The song "Eclipse" was written by Swede Jonas Myrin, among others, and the number requires both a gold-glittered grand piano and a dress.
France favorites
In addition to the competition, France is also in the starting field during the evening - as they are one of the "big four" countries (originally the "big five", but Spain is boycotting the competition this year in protest against Israel being allowed to participate).
Singer Monroe was raised in the US by a French-Congolese mother. She is classically trained and the number is in 18th-century style with dancers in black and lots of smoke. In the final, "Regarde" is tipped fourth by the bookmakers.
Last in semi-final two is Norway's Jonas Lovv. He is expected to advance to the final, but unlike the other Nordic countries he is not expected to finish in the top ten and is instead predicted to come around 20th. He has been told by Eurovision's governing body, the EBU, to tone down his sexiness on stage, NRK reported earlier this week.
Bulgaria: Dara – “Bangaranga”
Azerbaijan: Jiva – “Just go”
Romania: Alexandra Capitanescu – “Choke me”
Luxembourg: Eva Marija – “Mother nature”
Czech Republic: Daniel Zizka – “Crossroads”
France: Monroe – “Look!”
Armenia: Simón – “Paloma rumba”
Switzerland: Veronica Fusaro – “Alice”
Cyprus: Antigoni – “Jalla”
United Kingdom: Look Mum No Computer – “Eins, zwei, drei”
Latvia: Atvara – “Ena”
Denmark: Søren Torpegaard Lund – “Before we go home”
Australia: Delta Goodrem – “Eclipse”
Ukraine: Leléka – “Ridnym”
Albania: Alis – “Nan”
Malta: Aidan – “Bella”
Norway: Jonas Lovv – “Ya ya ya”
