Odds Review- Rehearsals Day 3: 02/05/22

The first half of semi final two saw the shortest challenger on the outright market being a 120-1+ shot and even that has since drifted further so it’s fair to say today hasn’t really shook up the final much. Finland and Israel are on national final form with minor scaling up and tweaking and remain unmoved. The same applies to Serbia and although ‘In Corpore Sano’ is an acquired taste, the shortening on Greece has made this very appealing in the early top Balkan market where all evidence points at Konstrakta sweeping up regionally and amongst the diaspora. I have the two much closer with Albania a very outside chance at spoiling the party.

Azerbaijan were up next and the market has pushed them back out towards evens to qualify. They appear to be going for a similar ‘internal struggle personified theme’ that they’ve done numerous times (2013, 2015, even on debut arguably in 2008). This really is fighting to cling on to the last available spot in my book. Neighbours Georgia are doing an alright job with ‘Lock Me In’ but “alright” isn’t really enough for Circus Mircus. Malta is the other act fighting with Azerbaijan for the last spot in the bookies 10 and it’s pretty much as expected. Both of these allies of convnience should be struggling with the televote.

San Marino’s Achille Lauro has been the big winner of the semi so far seeing him get back in touch in the qualification race. Whilst doing exactly the kind of schtick expected, it is at least slick schtick. The evidence still points towards this missing out and I’m not re-assessing his chances yet. Australia is also as you were and there’s no point in going over the same old styling points.

There’s an argument that Cyprus is the first entry of the semi to tick both the good and safe boxes and they’re doubling down on the summer vibes feel with a giant shell prop. Looks and sounds alright from the little we’ve got.

Tomorrow starts with the weakest combined rehearsal block before moving on to Sweden of most note later on. Minimal changes are expected (if any going from stills and arena footage alone) so Poland may be of the most interest in seeing if there’s any way back in the odds or solidyfing top 10. I’m also interested to see if Czech Republic do anything noteworthy to close or go for a simple arena gig presentation.