Odds Review- Rehearsals Day 2: 01/05/22

Starting with the biggest swing and Greece saw their odds move in to the 40s range in anticipation of their performance with them now sat in the 30s range. ‘Die Together’ has possibly established itself as the jury song of the semi but this looks an overcorrection and reminds me a little of Bulgaria last year in being a bit of a bubble thing- even with a lot less to go off. We’ll soon see if the connection is there but I’d say we have pretty solid evidence this type of song (and with it’s empty chair symbolism) comes up short in the televote to at least Subwoolfer before adding in the rest of the field. The caveat that we’re going off of 10 stills and 10 seconds of arena footage applies to all of the first rehearsals this year but the 8-13 type range still looks the most likely outcome.

Portugal have also climbed back down slightly but still sit well into longshot territory whilst the aforementioned space wolves from Norway are unmoved with both countries sticking to their national final routines pretty much. The rest of the rehearsals were entirely irrelevant from an outright perspective.

As expected, Armenia did bring a prop house but may be one in a long list examples where the theory is better than the execution. There’s nothing to say really on Austria with us mainly awaiting a better picture of the vocal quality, Denmark is just about looking respectable really, and Iceland were also there.

Croatia have avoided the advice many gave in dodging the dancer instead tripling down. Potentially there’s at least a story on display that a couple jurors might appreciate but there’s a real lack of cohesion across the board in the choices they’ve made. Were already on my out pile and don’t look like climbing off it.

Tomorrow brings quite a few that are a bit more unknown. Israel, Serbia and Australia are likely refinements whilst Azerbaijan, Georgia, Malta and Cyprus are yet to be seen in any competitive big stage setting. Our rock entries from Finland and San Marino should also be interesting with a ‘big show’ promised and Achille’s theatricality respectively.