The third and final dress rehearsal of the qualifier round is over.  Attendance in the hall was very poor, once again. Seems that the situation is the result of internet problems faced by the Ukranian ticketing agency, Olvia.  Tickets were considered to be sold-out, when infact they weren't.

The final dress rehearsal started about 20 minutes after the schedule.  A few minutes before the show started, the organisers announced that everyone could move forward and sit in the front seats,  which were still empty at that time.  In less than 5 seconds the front seats were packed!


The Venue (c) malta.ogae.net


The hosts (c) malta.ogae.net

The hosts were on stage.  Masha was dressed in what seemed like a very old fashioned green silky dress. Pasha wore a black suit with a green hanky in his jacket's pocket, matching Masha's dress.  Masha seemed more relaxed on stage.

Hosts included some Ukranian acts as part of the introduction, including a traditional dance, a modern ballet and a choir of generals.  And on with the songs...

01. Austria

Global Kryner (c) malta.ogae.net

The main vocalist was wearing the traditional Austrial costume, while the accompanying band members wore white trousers and red jackets, as seen in the picture above.  An ok performance, but quite forgetful.  Screens show filmstrips, as in their video clip.

02. Lithuania

Laura & The Lovers (c) malta.ogae.net

Laura, wearing a sexy white outfit is moving around very confidently on stage. She's working for the camera and really knows what she's doing.   Her outfit reminds us of Lena Philippson, Sweden 2004. Well afterall, the team behind this song is completely Swedish.  Good song but so far i'm not convinced that this will make the top-10.

03. Portugal

2B on stage (c) malta.ogae.net

I can see that the Portuguese have some sense in their minds.  They decided to trash the 'crazy' hairdo and go on for a 'tamer' version of it.  I'm referring to the hairstyle worn by the female half of 2B. During the previous rehearsals she looked like she had a sheep in her head, now she seems like a crazy naughty little girl.   The male half is wearing a very stylish black outfit.  The 4 female dancers are very syncronised with the rest.  Vocally they were ok, but they can (and should) do better...if they want to qualify for the finals!

04. Moldova

grandma for moldova (c)malta.ogae.net

Grandma is the central part of the Moldovian act.  She starts off sitting in a cane rocking chair and ends up beating the drum around the stage while the others sing this 'crazy' song...now in English!  Very popular with the fans and some are even risking their reputation with the rest by betting that this will be the overall winner!  Let's wait and see...

05. Latvia

Walters & Kazha (c) malta.ogae.net

The Latvian boys start off the song sitting on their high stools.  Half-way through, they stand up and move forward.  They do the sign language during the refrains, just like Sanomi did a couple of years ago for Belgium.   The voice of one of the boys reminds me pretty much of Brainstorm's lead vocalist.  Well, they're both Latvian.  Well, it looks like Latvia is into the qualifier round again next year!


06. Monaco

Lisa Darley (c) malta.ogae.net

The first from a series of truly magical ballads.  She delivers the song in a very confident way and hits all the notes with mastery.  She's wearing a pinkish flowery dress.  Some believe that this might qualify.  Others think that the next ballad will definately wipe out all, if any, chance for Monaco to qualify.

07.  Israel

The ballad from Israel (c)malta.ogae.net

Israel have opted for a half Hebrew, half English version of their delicate ballad.  It's one of the most popular in the hall.   Shiri looks like a princess.  Is she one of the contendours for the title?  Well, she's there!

08. Belarus

The 3 stages of Diva Angelica (c)malta.ogae.net

Angelica starts up dressed in a large golden cloak.  This is later removed and exposes a baroque dress of Princess Efrosina.  This is also removed and Angelica ends up on stage in a shiny golden catsuit.   The only thing that remains on Angelica throughout her performance is the tiara she's wearing on her head. This performance has "Diva" written all over her! 

COMMERCIAL BREAK! 
This is the first commercial break of the night!

09. Netherlands

Glennis Grace (c) malta.ogae.net

Dutch singer, Glennis Grace, is wearing a long white dress. One might argue that she is a true image of Whitney Houston, but this doesn't ruin any of her chances, at all! She sings with mastery and her ballad goes down very well with the audience.

10. Iceland

Selma 2005 (c) malta.ogae.net

The stage is set on golden colours.  Selma is wearing a very modern red outfit with golden touches.  4 female dancers and vocalists, wearing golden corsets accompany her on stage.  Hidden way behind the stage there is another female vocalist.   This is good, but...?

11. Belgium

Nuno (c) malta.ogae.net

Nuno gives a very good performance of his ballad, but somehow he leaves everyone cold.  This has something 'missing'.  Don't know what!

12. Estonia

Suntribe (c) malta.ogae.net

The 5 girls start off behind the decks and then move forward for their girlie act.   This is a very 'loud' performance.  Can't see it in the finals!

13. Norway

WigWam (c) malta.ogae.net

The rockers from Norway are here to be in the final. They give a very good performance, full of confidence and mastery.  Loads of support from the hall!


14. Romania

Luminita & Sistem (c) malta.ogae.net

The unconventional percussionists from Romania are giving a very powerful performance. Luminita is giving her best too!  The two are performing together and this makes them one of the best acts for the night.  They truly deserve to be in the finals!

15. Hungary

Nox from Hungary (c) malta.ogae.net

A red wave on the lower screen creates a beautiful setting for the Hungarian act.  The girl sings while the 5 dancers perform Hungarian dances throughout the song.  This is yet another popular entry with the audience.

16. Finland

Geir (c)malta.ogae.net

Geir sings this emotional ballad from the heart.  He is accompanied on stage by 5 great singers who are doing harmonies and backing vocals throughout the song, and thus lifting it up to much higher levels than it ever was before.  White jacket, blue t-shirt for Geir....the finnish flag colours!

17. FYR Macedonia

Girls make his day (c) malta.ogae.net

I am placing this in my non-qualifiers list...but you never know with the neighbourly voting.  Lead singer looks uncomfortable on stage and it is completely ruined when he jumps on a higher stage to beat the drums, like half of the other entrants in this year's competition!  Dreadful.

18. Andorra

La miranda interior (c) malta.ogae.net

Andorra was completely underrated before the contest.  They held a secret up their sleeve, and this was revealed in today's dress rehearsal.  The image is fantastic. They look like coming out from a Greek mythology legend. It looks great on stage and on tv. They deserve to be in the finals!


19. Switzerland

Vanilla Ninja (c) malta.ogae.net

The cool rockers from Estonia representing Switzerland gave a very good performance of their delicate rock song.  They are singing about a white tiger who can be tame and wild at the same time.  They definately know how to do that themselves!  They are in my top-10!


20.  Croatia

Wolves die alone (c) malta.ogae.net

Croatia follow Serbia's ethno-pop style from last year...but they have managed to create an original and sophisticated piece, with which they truly deserve to be in the finals.

21. Bulgaria

Kaffe (c) malta.ogae.net

It's "Lorrain in the Rain".....neither highs nor lows for this song. Mid-table.

22. Ireland

Love? (c) malta.ogae.net

The Irish entry could have qualified easily to the finals only if they left Joe at home.  The rest is ok but when he's on screen he ruins all chances of this song!

23. Slovenia

Naber (c) malta.ogae.net

Slovenia threw away all their chances to qualify to the final when they opted for Naber in their national final. They should have picked either Sasha or Rebecka!


24. Denmark

Jackob (c) malta.ogae.net

Jackob gave a great performance, loved by the audience and fans.  Hope Denmark qualifies for the final.


25. Poland

Ivan & Delfin (c) malta.ogae.net

He's wearing a white jacket with red fiery touches, matching the skirts of the dancers.  Not my favourite but never know with a song performed half in Polish and half in Russian!


Soon after the last performance we assisted to the re-runs and then off to the interval act. More in the next article, below!

Wig Wam rocked d whole contest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;)