First Dress Rehearsal

LIVE UPDATE from ESCMALTA.com

The show has begun.

Snow and ice are the theme representing the magical coldness of Finland. A dance on the Ice is presented.

FLASH NEWS

Uncofnirmed news has arrived at ESCMALTA.com that the white drapes during Olivia’s performance have been changed. It is believed that the colour of the drapes has been changed.

Live Coverage

Winter turns into Spring on stage. Flowers bloom all around…and “HELLO EUROPE!”

The hosts are on stage, they start on the catwalk. The male host is wearing white whilst the female one is wearing yellow.

The first thing they do is explain that only 10 songs will pass and that tele viewers are the judges. Televoting will start after the 28 songs.
and the songs begin…”The semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest starts now!”..(fireworks on stage)

1. Bulgaria

Finnish people featured on postcard…Lightning, water and power fill the Arena with the first powerful Bulgarian performance.

2. Israel

The background is the same as in the previous rehearsals. Teapacks give a jumpy performance. At the moment this is see as being one of the songs to find it difficult to qualify.

3. Cyprus

Blue background, smoke and a glittery Evridiki on stage. The audience loved this.

4. Belarus

Notwithstanding the weak vocal performance, Koldun got a big round of applause from the audience.

5. Iceland

Erikur rocked the Hartwall Arena. Celtic background on stage, a pure rock ballad performance. Perfect vocally, as always Erikur impressed on stage.

6. Georgia

Georgia’s debut projects the traditional aspects of the country during the performance. The background shows Gerogian flag colours, pyros are used and in the key change the dancers get out swords and have a choreography with them.

Hosts

The hosts come in and say that this was Georgia’s first performance, and they also say that it will be the first time for the Czech Republic as well as for Serbia and Montenegro as independent countries..”And now it is back to business”.

7. Montenegro

Green background for Montenegro. More Eurovision rock on stage. Thsi came out well vocally. Hmmm it is said in the Arena that this year in the semi-final neighbour voting will be a main factor to determine who passes on to the final.

8. Switzerland

Vampires came to live in Helsinki as DJ Bobo and his team went on stage. Bats, vampires, maniquins, toutrageous hairstyles and pyros make sure that this show will not be forgotten by the end. A vocally better DJ Bobo than the previous rehearsals compliments the show. This is not only a definite finalis, but a possible contender for the final trophy.

9. Moldova

Warm colours, red and orange fill the stage. White and red drapes are used at the beginning of the song. This year we are going to have a good Eurovision show!

Advert Break

During the advert break in the hall we watched an interesting feature about the 42 performers arriving in Helsinki at the airport and also something about costumes. “Are you ready for more Helsinki?” Of course we are honey, bring it on!

10. The Netherlands

Edilia is on top of the World (stairs) for the introduction of the show. Very good vocal performance and interesting choreography for the Netherlands.

11. Albania

Aida’s dress is something to look out for in the performance. Vionlins and a blue background give Albania a simple yet intense performance. Frederik Ndoci gave a very good vocal performance.

12. Denmark

The Drama Queen came next on stage. Costumes galore, feathers anf pyros and the crows was jumping all around. Vocally DQ also was much better than in previous rehearsals.

13. Croatia

Unlucky number 13 for some, but Dragonfly and Dado Topic went on stage. Dark colours fill the screens during most of the song. More Rock in the 2007 Eurovision!

14. Poland

It’s time to party in Helsinki as the Jet Set come out on stage. Modern and groovy, the girls come out of the cage (as in rehearsals) and the female singer end the show back in the cage. Chains are on the background screen.

15. Czech Republic

Hard Rock Halleuljah! Kabat hard rocked the hartwall Arena. This received quite a hige welcome. It seems like Eurovision is becoming more and more rocky. Following more the international trends. Will it qualify? I think it could stand a good chance.

17. Portugal

Red fans are the main feature of the Portugese performance. An interesting dance song which makes u get up from your seat and start dancing.

18. FYR Macedonia

Karolina Gocheva came next on stage. This is one of the countries that has qualified every single tear since cemi-finals began, even when the songs were not as powerful as this year’s one. Dark stage and tiny white lights. Karolina is wearing a bluish dress.

Advert Break

HostsSome talk about the televoting..and “are you ready for more music?”..Yes deinately!19. Norway Ven A bailar Conmigo and everyone was dancing around in the hall. Good performance with a lot of dancing. Guri was great on stage. Different costumes for Guri thorughout the song.20. Malta

Perfect vocally, although holding a bit back…Olivia and her team gave a good performance. Jes and Joseph were body painted in gold. Contrary to what we were told earlier, the white sheets are still the same. Olivia and all the team gave their utmost, it is obviously now in the hands of the televoters at home.

21. Andorra

Crowds cheering in the hall for the young Andorran boys who give an interstind energetic performance. This reminds us of Klinsmann Coliero’s performance at the Malta Song For Europe 2007 festival. This will go on well with the audience!

22. Hungary

Magdi was next on stage. Very quite and peaceful song compared to the previous songs. As usual Magdi’s voice was superb. Falling Autumn leaves fill the background. This is one of the most versatile Eurovision Song Contests. Great appaluse at the end.

23. Estonia

Gerli is lifted up on stage by two male dancers. Dark background with yellow graphics. Once again a good vocal performance. Helsinki kept on rocking!

24. Belgium

The KMGs and their disco balls were next on stage. Now it feels like the 90s are coming back! Colours and groove for Belgium. Comes out well on stage.

MALTA UPDATE

With regards to your reactions, we can confirm that Joseph and Jes were not wearing any masks but there faces, as their body, was painted in gold too. With regards to the reaction in the hall, it was an ok reaction but not as high as for some other songs.

25. Slovenia

Amongst a dark blue background, Alenka Gotar fills the stage with her impressive operistic voice. A gothic yet classical dress makes Alenka’spresence on stage even greater. Light crystals are in her hand as she moves her hand creating a nice effect on stage. Slovenia always had very good songs so far but never managed to make it the final..it seems like this will be the first time.

26. Turkey

A huge reaction in the hall for Kenan Dogulu who gave a great performance accompanied with a higly good choreography, Kenan managed to get the hall dancing and shaking to his tune. Red flames seal the song.

27. Austria

Eric with an enormous number of Swarowsky cyrstals and feathers came on stage and also gave a very good performance. The crowd once again gave a very good round of applause.

28. Latvia

Bonaparti.lv on stage with their amazing enchanting voices giving an italian flavour to the Eurovision Song Contest. This has high chances.

A big thanks to ESCMALTA.com for the Live coverage