The beginnig this time is much better. My favourite part is the dances of bears, jusr cute and a great prelude to Croatia.

1. Croatia
The performance is quite tender, but won't stay in the memory long. Plus, there s still a surplus in Igor's vocal efforts.
2. Ireland
I like practicaly anything in this performance - the girl and her tights appeal to me, the thunder at the backdrops, the song is cheerful, but still it's not enough to qualify.
3. Latvia
Another crazy performance by Intars. Camera work is strangely bad this time, plus I still don't understand the idea with the palm on the backsingers' dresses.
4. Serbia
It's funny for the first time, but then it's boring, i have real doubts about its qualifying.
5. Poland
So, there are lots of examples when such performances go through. We'll see, but i don't think it
s the case.
6. Norway
Nothing new, everything is perfect. First applause in the press centre.
7. Cyprus
The owner of the worst woman vocal of the contest continues to charm the admirers of little pink things.
8. Slovakia
I have a strange feeling that they will qualify, though I don't see any real reasons for it, Kamil's singing is perfect, but nothing more.
9. Denmark
For me it's the most dull song of the semi final, the vocal is boring, and it's the third ballad in a row.
10. Slovenia
So, now they managed to prepare the stage for them in time. Martina almost screams, it's still difficult to survive the song.
11. Hungary
At least something worth after 4 boredoms. I don't like his clothes, but still the performance is good and attractive.
12. Azerbaijam
Well, it's still a perfect permormance and a sure finalist. Aysel is cahrming, Arash is active in his style, vocally good.
13. Greece
wow! what a stupid smile on his face in the beginnig of the performance! I still wish he jumped out of the platform in the end.
14. Lithuania
It will be the greatest pity after Switzerland, if he doesnt qualify. Sounds and looks absolutely perfect.
15. Moldova
I dont understand all the mess around the song and the performance, for me it's too much. but who knows, everyine seems to like it.
16. Albania
For me it's ridiculous, nither the song nor the performance suit this young girl, it's just disguisting.
17. Ukraine
Well, Svetlana is extremely sexy and attractive, but i dont understand the idea behind the singers' and backvocs' dresses. But still the performance is impressive and strong, a sure finalist.
18. Estonia
Mysterious and impressive, the only disadvantage is that Sandra has put too much make-up, it's even seen at th screens and doesn't look very well.
19. The Netherlands
The performance is cute, sincere and friendly, but I'm afraid there are not many people who will vote for them. Good luck anyway.

So, now my prediction for the second semi final.
Norway
Cyprus
Slovakia
Hungary
Azerbaijan
Greece
Lithuania
Moldova
Ukraine
Estonia

was the most waisted 1.5 hours of this week. We've only got one new thing and these are preliminary dates of 2010 contest - 18-20-22nd of May. A lot of talks whether Philip Kirkorov is suitable for the role of chairman of Russian jury (being friend of Sakis Rovas and also commentator this year)- but organizers do not see this as a problem. There was deserved critics from press towards hostess Natalia Vodyanova, and organizers admitted that she was not perfect but promised better result from her tomorrow. Dima Bilan and Lys Assia have attended the event.

Highlights:
- Kazakhstan will broadcast the contest this year but is not eligible to join ESC in future despite the interest expressed. Same goes for any countries geographically located out of the eligibility zone, Azerbaijan apparently was just in it. As informed at conference by Eurovision TV director Bjorn Erichsen - there are no new potential active member countries AT ALL, as all those they consider being eligible are already in. However, there may appear some new member broadcasters/channels in European countries that are already having one EBU member, and this side of development is EBU priority from now on. Non-European countries broadcasters can still obtain associate member status, which is not giving right to take part in Eurovision.
- Bjorn Erichsen is "sceptical" in regards of Eurovision Talent Contest and seemingly it will not go, Young Dancers have been put on hold again as the interest has been too low, but may return one day.
- According to Mr.Erichsen Eurovision Dance Contest will proceed in Baku as planned, however, there are still some doubts about it
- Organizers admitted that Russian ESC budget will stay unbeatable in the next years and they are fine with that and that next contests probably will be of a smaller scale of organization. It has been specially noted that if Bosnia wins, EBU will provide minimum budget and will assist it in hosting of the contest in other ways too.

http://picasaweb.google.com/esckaz.moscow5/Semi2Dress1Part1
http://picasaweb.google.com/esckaz.moscow6/Semi2Dress1Part2

I can mention that only Zoli's, Toppers' and someone elses microphones were not working properly. The only failure for the artist was a bit of mix up of lead and backing vocals when Lithuania is changing to Russian part in the end. And Sasha should definitely keep his hat on. I've been trying to figure out what is the need for backing vocalist of Slovenia, but she hasn't opened her mouth a single time during the performance.

It takes quite a lot of time to move in and out some props, espesially those of Slovenia and Ukraine. Ukrainian delegation seemed to be unhappy, but organizers have reacted the way that it's fault of own Ukrainian techniciants and first of all if they was everything 100% ready they should get rid of some unnecessary elements.

All those pauses are filled by greenroom broadcast, there were around 5 of them.

Opening act is pretty stylish - Terem-quarter (participants of one of first Russian preselections) perform Eurovision hits playing national Russian instruments. It is much better opening than awful interpretation of Russian fairytales in Hollywood style in the first semi. Interval act doesn't include Tatu and thus looks good as well.

Vodianova still is shaky, but not that badly as in semi 1.

Moldova, Serbia looked very good, Greece received huge support from Greek fans, Norway, Azerbaijan, Ukraine are pretty strong as well.

Full report - tomorrow

are:
Malta
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Portugal
Turkey
Sweden
Israel
Finland
Romania
Armenia
Iceland

Well, our senior reporter Anton got 10 out of 10. Congrats!

Turkey 99%
Romania 95%
Iceland 90%
Armenia 85%
Malta 85%
Bosnia and Herzegovina 80%
Switzeland 70%
Sweden 55% (jury pick)
Portugal 40%
Finland 40%
Andorra 40%
Belarus 40%
Israel 40%
Montenegro 35%
Bulgaria 15%
Belgium 10%
FYR Macedonia 5%
Czech Republic 1%

So Turkey, Romania, Iceland, Armenia, Malta, Bosnia and Switzerland are most certainly going to qualify if their performance and vocals will be identical to these of third rehearsal. Portugal, Finland, Andorra, Belarus and Israel are borderliners, while Sweden will be through as a jury pick in my opinion, even if Malene enters audience Top-9.
To sum up, that's my prediction: Turkey, Romania, Iceland, Armenia, Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland, Sweden, Israel, Finland
Good luck to all the countries and don't miss the fabulous interval act. :)

Here are some predictions of our reporters for tonight

Andy: Sweden, Armenia, Turkey, Israel, Bulgaria, Iceland, Macedonia, Romania, Malta, Bosnia
borneo: Belarus, Sweden, Armenia, Turkey, Bosnia, Iceland, Bulgaria, Israel, Romania, Montenegro
Polina: Sweden, Portugal, Malta, Bosnia, Finland, Turkey, Armenia, Iceland, Switzerland, Israel

*Prediction. Also today you will learn meanings of Privet, Veselo, Karavai, Muzika, Sibir, Potselui, Vesna, Kak dela, Horosho, Sneg, Klassno, Tantsui, Bud zdorov and others.

I assume you've heard everything already but in case if you're staying by our blog and completely ignoring others, here comes a very brief recap of what we've seen on stage today. Mind that we are not judging entries and their chances by amounts of cheer in the audience crown, cause I find it rather dull.

First semifinal kicks off with a little fairytale made around some cheesy story about nomadic people who learned how to fly that ends with Tolmachevy sisters descending from the very top of the venue on some enlighted structure that appears to be a magical firebird from the logo. Then hosts appear to tell us some forseeable words. Natalia Vodianova is, without any doubt, a beautiful person but she seems either too shy or easily frightened for a host. Andrey Malakhov seems to be much better then we all expected him to be, both performers' English is far from being perfect but still understandable. Unfortunately, Andrei and Natasha just don't have any chemistry, they look way too differently.

I won't speak about each entry separately, instead of it I will underline some obvious changes.

Belarus looked pretty powerful, vocally good and, surprisingly, understandable as opposed to all other Belarusian entries to date. So with some obvious support it can make it to finals.
Sweden proved my idea that Malena won't reveal all her vocal abilities at the initial rehearsals and today we saw her in a full power.
Turkey flashed in with loads of fireworks and fireblasts to march right into the finals. There's nothing that can leave Turkey in semifinals - everything works for Hadise well.

The interval act will be definately a point of attention this night: in started with Aleksandrov (formerly Red Army) Choir performing some a-la Russe songs like Katjusha, Kalinka and so on with various "ethnic" artists dancing, jumping and beating drums around them. This ethnic horror was saved by t.A.T.u. who joined all the folk on stage and started to preform "Not Gonna Get Us" supported by every single artist who was on stage. It looked really fabulous and unique, so don't miss it tomorrow - you will be greatly amused.

So if I still maintain some prediction abilities, these are going to...

... definately qualify: TURKEY, ICELAND
... most likely qualify: BOSNIA, ISRAEL, SWITZERLAND, ARMENIA, BELARUS, MALTA
... definately flop: CZECH REP, BULGARIA, REP of MACEDONIA, MONTENEGRO
... either fail or succeed (with descenting chances to qualify): PORTUGAL, SWEDEN, ANDORRA, ROMANIA, FINLAND, BELGIUM

http://picasaweb.google.com/esckaz.moscow4/Semifinal1DressRehearsal1
http://picasaweb.google.com/esckaz.moscow5/Semifinal1DressRehearsal1

Photogallery
http://picasaweb.google.ru/esckaz.moscow4/OpeningCeremony
http://picasaweb.google.com/esckaz.moscow5/WelcomeParty1005