San Marino 2024: Megara with ‘11:11’
In one of the bigger shocks of national final season, semi finalist and wildcard progressor Megara overcame Loredana Berte to represent everyone’s favourite microstate in Malmo:
I say this was one of the bigger shocks, but it may actually be a slightly better decision in terms of maximising qualification chances which should always be the goal for San Marino. Like Loredana, Megara are a distinctive entry and voteability is also questionable, but they are one with a bit more credibility to a first time viewer. The biggest benefit to their selection is in terms of staging with them taking this very seriously so far and bringing a well thought out and memorable showing, which does beat out Loredana standing still with nothing else going on. Rock is perhaps the easiest genre to stage in an interesting way and there’s a good base to work from already. San Marino aren’t to be relied on to put together a show but Megara seem to know what they are doing and SVT won’t have much issue making this look as slick as possible.
In semi 2, San Marino have lost out on the big Berte 10-12 points from Italy but Spain should be able to account for much of that difference whilst this hits neutral countries better. I already have this above Czechia, Denmark and Malta in my provisional estimations for that semi given their blandness so San Marino are sitting on the borderline just about whilst we wait on reveals. A possible pimp slot might be of help but knowing SVT this will of course be performed in 11th position with Norway closing who also present a big problem with their superior non-english, female led rock entry. The two have their differences clearly but there is some target audience overlap. One entry that comes to mind as a comparison for this is Triana Park (Latvia 2017) who managed to come last in a larger semi final from the pimp slot. They illustrate the dangers around the ‘rock chick’ appeal and how this is not a guaranteed hit.
If San Marino do get through I can’t see them escaping a bottom 5 position and they’d be in the last place discussion but I would take them in a h2h to beat Spain and whatever the outcome, this is a very respectable entry from San Marino.
Personal Rating: 8/10
Competetive Rating: 4/10
Early Prediction: Semi 2 9th-13th, 22nd-26th if in the final.