Welcome to our rolling live blog from the Grand Final of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. No tantrums and tiaras here. Just 16 countries and 16 acts that show no fear of performing in front of millions of people.

Malta have gone out 200% to put on a HUGE show so a #Fab congratulations to PBS and the people of Malta who have made us so welcome. So let’s get this blog on the road! You know the drill just refresh the page and you will get a live review.

Belarus

Belarus Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

This paid homage to Ruslana and her giant horns in her wild dances. Great opener to the show. Nadezhda is channelling native American Indians and a backdrop that had me thinking of Russell Crowe’s Gladiator. Strong and competent.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

#MegaCharming. Watch this one score well. Krisia, Hasan & Ibrahim come from one talented family. Krisia is like Thumbelina and her brothers are the new Richard Clayderman in the making. As ballads go this is high in the Power Stakes! #LoveIt and would knock the socks off songs in the adult contest!

San Marino

San Marino Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

It’s the Peppermints aka The Junior Eurovision’s answer to The Staurday’s. Probably the oldest participants in this year’s contest they worked that stage and as Tyra Banks would say – ‘SMIZE’ and walk with the wind in the air. Good effort from the Land of Valentina Monetta

Croatia

Croatia Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

I have to admit that myself and Emma – from Meanwhile In Europe – have decided that we are adopting Josie from Croatia as she has been so much fun this week at Junior Eurovision. Josie was our little Minnie Mouse with her hair all tied up. Sven and Eros – her backing dancers – busted some serious moves! You Go Girl!

Cyprus

Cyprus Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Sophia Patsalides – we love this Europop dance song from Cyprus. Written by the Cypriot legend Alex Panayi this is a song that would be out of place at the adult Eurovision song contest. Sophia rocked it out on the stage on her own which is not easy to do on your own. This will be a great return for Cyprus to the contest

Georgia

Georgia Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Lizi and her crew worked it! The song reminds you of ‘Wrecking Ball’ from Miley Cyrus and that ain’t a bad thing. Lizi is fearless and worked the audience. Georgia always do well at JESC and should do again this year.

Sweden

Sweden Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Expect to see more of Julia in Sweden as I am sure she is a star in the making for Sweden at Melodifestivalen. Julia enjoyed her time on the stage and it showed. Andrew from the Eurovision Ireland team has been singing the Swedish song all week long in Malta so he will be texting in a vote or two.

Ukraine

Ukraine Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

For the second time tonight we had a ‘Frozen’ inspired production. A great ballad that I could see Ukraine send to adult Eurovision. Totally charming and should see last year’s hosts score well.

Slovenia

Team Slovenia

Ula Ložar for me is one of the stars of the contest. She is one singer to watch out for in the future. Charismatic and charming she lights up the camera. A wonderful ballad and for me Ula has a lovely jazz quality to her voice that will get better as she grows older.

Montenegro

Montenegro Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Maša Vujadinović & Lejla Vulić ask you to be a ‘Child For a Day’. 2 friends that are obviously friends and it showed. A happy song that I feel would have lifted with a few dancers on the stage. Still a great effort.

Italy

Italy Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Can we just bring Vincenzo Cantiello to the Sanremo Festival now. The only male singer in the contest this year he will already be remembered however his song and performance are wise beyond his years! He even had time to blow a kiss to Europe during his performance! One to watch for the win and to give RAI a huge dilemma of do they host the contest.

Armenia

Armenia Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Betty and her dancers and acrobats dominated this performance. Armenia always do well at Junior Eurovision and I think they will again today. Even the adults in the press hall were enjoying this song. Happy Happy Happy!

Russia

Russia Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Alisa Kozhikina is already a contest winner as she won ‘The Voice Kids’ in Russia. Standing alone on the stage and singing her ballad she nailed it. Again if this was in the adult contest we would be saying WOW. Alisa should score well and we will be glad to see that too.

Serbia

Serbia

This again is a typical Serbian/Balkan ballad that would not be out of place in the adult contest. Emilija Đonin both plays and sings and does a great job. Are we going to Belgrade?

Malta

Federica from Malta

You have to be unbiased when reviewing a contest but that still doesn’t mean I can’t have my own favourites. Federica Falzon has the honour and pressure of representing the host nation and the reaction to her performance was nothing short of amazing. One of my colleagues likened it to the reaction of Conchita Wurst at Eurovision this year – that is a huge compliment. Federica has done what the adult contest has struggled to do and that is to marry opera and pop together. ‘Diamonds’ was sensational in the hall and for me my winner. #GoMalta

The Netherlands

The Netherlands Photo : EBU: Elena Volotova/Maria Mifsud

Julia closed the show and gave us some Europop. A great performance from The Netherlands and a song that I could see in the charts. I hope The Netherlands can match the success of The Common Linnets,

The votes are in and we have a winner – Italy!

The Top 3

1st – Italy

2nd – Bulgaria

3rd – Armenia

Congratulations to Vincenzo Cantiello and Italy

Author/Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source : Eurovision Ireland