Dobra večer Europo i dobro jutro Australija! The weekend might be starting to wind down, but before we get back to work there’s just enough time to squeeze in one last national selection and find out one more country’s entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025! It’s one of the highlights of my year, it’s Croatia’s Dora!!

Sit back and relax, and let Eurovision Ireland’s own James Scanlan entertain and inform you. As always, feel free to tell me what you think and give your opinions about tonight’s Final and who your favourites are! I might even shout out to you in the blog!

After a break in Zagreb for 2024, this year Dora is back in its traditional home in Opatija at the Sports Hall Marino Cvetković. Hosted by Duško Čurlić, Barbara Kolar and Zlata Mück Sušec, 24 songs have been whittled down to 16 finalists who are vying for the change to represent Croatia in Basel this May. In running order, they are:

1. EoT – “Bye Bye Bye”
2. Natalli – “Dom si srcu mom”
3. Ivxn – “Monopol”
4. Filomena – “Strong”
5. Fenksta – “Extra”
6. Laurakojapjeva – “NPC”
7. Nipplepeople – “Znak”
8. Ogenj – “Daj, daj”
9. Petar Brkljačić – “Kraj”
10. Matt Shaft – “Welcome to the Circus”
11. Marko Škugor – “Šta da Boga molim ja”
12. Magazin – “AaAaA”
13. Marko Bošnjak – “Poison Cake”
14. Marko Tolja – “Through the Dark”
15. Lelek – “The Soul of My Soul”
16. Luka Nižetić – “Južina”

Although this year’s semi finals for Dora were 100% televote, tonight’s result will be be decidedly more mixed, with 25% of votes coming from Croatian juries, 25% from international juries and the remaining 50% from a public vote. In the event of a tie, the public vote’s winner takes priority, with the winner being declared the next representative of Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest!

If you want to watch along at home (because of course you do!) you can watch either HERE ON HRT ONLINE or  HERE ON YOUTUBE from 20:15CET / 19:15 GMT. The show is scheduled to finish at 23:00 CET/ 22:00GMT, but you’re well versed enough in Eurovision national selections to know by now that live TV rarely runs to schedule (5 days Sanremo, really?!) 

Last year in Malmö, Croatia saw their best-ever placing at the Eurovision Song Contest with a second place finish. Switzerland might have piped them to the post in 2024, but is there an act here that can bring Croatia their first-ever win at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025?

You know the drill: Just refresh this page to get the comments, points of view and all that Eurovision Ireland goodness you know and love!

LIVE BLOG STARTS HERE!!

Hey! I’m a big boy now! And you’re really early – you’ve still got about an hour to go till show time, so check back in a bit! In the meantime, here are some snippets of what to expect tonight!

Only minutes away from the final of Dora… can’t believe this will mean only 11 countries left to declare their songs – the national final session has gone quickly this year!

Here we go! The show opens with a medley of dancers wheeling around the stage to a selection of Croatian classics – loving the mash-up of Tick Tock and Moja štikla!

Our hosts for this evening, Duško Čurlić and Barbara Kolar. Zlata will be somewhere in the Green Room.

Our hosts are discussing our hosts for Eurovision this year Switzerland, including its 4 official languages, its animals and of course, Swiss chocolate!

And we’re already on our first ad break of the night! I forgot how Dora does this haha

YouTube broadcast seems to be interfering with a rerun of what appears to be Friends with Croatian subtitles!! Auspicious start to the night!!

Here we go with the music!

EoT – “Bye Bye Bye”

A belter of a rock track opening the show tonight! There are some spoken word elements mixed in with the music that feel quite jarring but definitely get your attention. Some of the YouTube chat comments are calling this a “Baby Lasagna Wannabe” which I don’t really see the connection… it’s a solid rock entry with a driving beat, great way to open tonight!

Natalli – “Dom si srcu mom”

No hanging around tonight, hope my fingers can keep up! Dressed in gold, Natalli is begging someone that your (their) heart is my (her) home. Our first song of the night in Croatian and it’s a very heartfelt and well performed ballad, with Natalli emoting well and also connecting with the camera well, which is great! I love the staging idea of the cracks in glass and she moves – very nice! I enjoyed that, these are the kinds of songs I watch Dora for!

Duško appears to be playing for time – is there a big set piece incoming?

Ivxn – “Monopol”

Oooh now… this gives me vibes of She Got Me but with a distinctly more Eastern flavour! Also quite a bit more dancy, which the routine supports nicely. Ivxn feels like he’s struggling in places, but it is quite a full on choreography, so can understand being a little out of breath! A tad repetitive, but if you want a dance it’s amazing!

Filomena – “Strong”

Standing on a platform as clouds and stars wheel behind her, Filomena belts out a strong gospel ballad dealing with the usual Eurovision themes of love, peace, finding our strength, knowing we’re not alone… it’s a well trod genre, but it’s a good example of it! Had Croatia sent something like this in the late 1990s/early 2000s, it would have won by a landslide… in 2025 it’s a touch tame, but still a very competent vocal performance and staged well without garish – brava!

That’s a wrap and a half on Barbara!

Fenksta – “Extra”

Rap and hip-hop is traditionally a genre that hasn’t been well received at Eurovision, though this is changing – perhaps Fenkstra is hoping to ride that wave of change? He’s performs comfortably with his dancers swaggering around, making it a very cohesive package. I spotted the subtle (or not) nod to the Ukrainian flag with the coloured lights too, wonder if that was deliberate or not… I’m not sure this is the right choice for Basel, but Fenkstra sells it well!

Laurakojapjeva – “NPC”

This song really reminds me of another song, but can’t remember for the life of me if it’s Eurovision or something else… it does remind me of some of the nightclubs I saw in less savoury areas of Tokyo though, school girl anime… the song itself is quite upbeat and catchy, so it’s a good earworm for a contest! Staging is memorable complete with ironing boards, but yeah… musically I’m sold, visually not so much…

Nipplepeople – “Znak”

“I said nipple!!” (12 points if you get the reference!) Looking like a Xenomorph heading to the Met Gala in silver foil, this is visually very memorable… not sure for the right reasons. Vocally it works and they’re voices suit the techno, almost trancy rifts… Eurovision audiences would love this I suspect, even if they don’t necessarily get it… I’m very much in that group too!

Ogenj – “Daj, daj”

Can you believer we’re half way through the music already? Goodness Dora, slow down! The contest is in May, not 10 minutes time! I remember hearing this as a snippet weeks ago and thinking it sounded like Rim Tim Tagi Dim part II, but seeing it onstage it feels different. The lead vocalist connects well with the camera at points, something a lot of rockers forget to do at national selections (they’re used to performing to the arena, not to an audience watching through a screen). “Daj” means give in Croatian, not “die”, just for the avoidance of doubt… it’s not terrible, I was expecting more though… I also think sending something so similar to last year (at least in spirit) isn’t a good idea.

Adverts time! That should give me enough time to run my fingers under some ice…

And we’re back… that was quick…

Petar Brkljačić – “Kraj”

Starting out in a prism that looks not unlike spiders’ webs, Petar gives a very intimate and emotional performance with a lot of connectivity and solid vocals. Musically it’s a tad slow and new age-y, Petar as a singer is what is selling this performance. And of course, a key change, because it’s Eurovision! I wouldn’t be surprised if this does quite well!

Matt Shaft – “Welcome to the Circus”

You too shall float… considering circuses are supposed to be *fun* places, this feel distinctly disturbed. Haunting violin rifts, angry vocals growled by the singer, a clown staggering around stage presumably looking for his next victim… it’s performance art on steroids, uppers, downers and I’ve no idea what else. I feel like this would go down a storm at Eurovision because it’s so out there… but is it too out there?

Marko Škugor – “Šta da Boga molim ja”

From the ridiculous to the sublime, Marko croons telling us what he asks of God in a number that feels like it’s come straight out of a West End musical. His vocals are intensely rich and classical, musically it hits every theatre show tune cliché going, but it’s a brilliant example of it! I suspect juries tonight will reward him for being one of the night’s more accomplished singers – though I fear this style of song is a little outdated for Eurovision now… and possibly has been for a while. Shame, as he is brilliant and I enjoyed the song!

Magazin – “AaAaA”

According to the betting odds, this is the one to watch out for tonight! The lead vocalist growls out quite dark and profound lyrics peppered with some couplets out of the Big Book of Rhyming, which feels odd… while it’s got a driving beat and she connects well with the camera, I’m struggling to see this as an odds on winner… but the reaction in the arena is telling me otherwise! I’m not sure how I feel about that one…

Marko Bošnjak – “Poison Cake”

As many of you know, we here at Eurovision Ireland always ask contests what kind of cake they like… Marko apparently likes poison cake, which is novel! I’ve seen Marko at past editions of Dora and he’s very talented. I always said he should be given the chance to sing for Croatia, but not sure this is the answer… it’s disturbing. He sells it well enough I’m concerned for he’s mental state, swinging between bubble gum pop and thrash metal… the audience are going wild, but the screaming may be genuine…

Marko Tolja – “Through the Dark”

Singing in black and white, yet another Marko belts out a gentle show ballad with big Broadway notes. I’d usually pity whoever comes after a big favourite, this feels much more accessible than what came before it, which may work in its favour. Marko sings beautifully and connects to the camera at every turn. A lot of people are whinging in the chat on YouTube it’s boring, but he performs it beautifully

Host Duško just referred to “our band” Riva winning in Switzerland back in 1989 – further perpetuating the idea Croatia believe they’ve already won Eurovision!

Lelek – “The Soul of My Soul”

Performing in white robes accented with red berries/beads that look like blood spatter, singing a song the band have gone on record as saying is about the current conflict in the Middle East, it’s haunting and powerful. They harmonise well together, and the charred figures clamouring up the stones reaching towards them at the end of the song are terrifying and brilliant in equal measure. I wouldn’t be surprised if that did very well tonight.

Luka Nižetić – “Južina”

From the sublime to the ridiculous once again, which seems to be the theme for tonight! Luka has found Nemo and gives us quite a near-Eastern sounding track with striking visuals as his dancers rush around with their heads covered in what look like scarfs. I’ve no idea what is happening, but it’s a weirdly catching little number! Ending the night with it feels apt – bonkers, a little confusing but ultimately enjoyable! This has been Dora 2025!

Well, those are the songs for tonight, so while Croatia go to advert, I’m going to (try) and summarise some of my thoughts on tonight’s goings on in Opatija – brb!

It did cross my mind months ago that in the same way once Käärijä won UMK in 2023, the following edition of Finland’s national selection was filled with a lot of acts trying to capitalise on his success, I wondered if we were going to see a similar phenomenon in Croatia – and I think we can safely say yes! Baby Lasagna has a lot to answer for!!

For a national selection that also spawned Let 3, there has been lot of bonkers on display tonight. I’m curious to see what this goes for Croatia, because at this stage of the evening, it’s hard to call!

These are the numbers you’ll need to vote in Croatia tonight – I assume you’ll also need to be in Croatia, but with VPNs nowadays, maybe not!

VOTING IS OPEN!

While Croatia have 15 minutes to vote and are being treated to a recap, I’m going to take a stab at working tonight out – wish me luck!

As I said earlier tonight, there is a lot of mad onstage tonight in Croatia, ranging from quirky to unhinged – and I’m wondering if that’s going to lead to a shock result. So many mental options, will voters be too split and someone with something much more traditional winning the night? I can see it happening. So while Ogenj, Marko Bošnjak, Laurakojepjeva, Matt Shaft and Nipplepeople might look like the obvious choices to pick a winner from, while one of the Markos (the non-cake ones!), Filomena or Natalli be waiting in the wings? I also haven’t discounted Lelek yet. This is a very hard one to call, Dora’s usually a lot more sensible than this!!

Croatia still have 7 minutes to vote, we’re looking around the Green Room and seeing everyone violently tapping their phones to cast their votes

Watching the second recap, I’ve noticed Ivnx didn’t make my initial predicitions… oops… that’s telling…

5… 4… 3… 2… 1… GOTOVO! Croatia, your Eurovision 2025 fate is sealed ;-)

While the results are tallied, we’re being treated to an interval act who is none other than the winner of last year’s edition of Dora, Baby Lasagna! Why he’s dressed as Little Cousin Scampi… I’ve given up trying to work that out tonight!!

“Bing bada bing bada biggie biggie boom, I want to know what I can do in your room!” – ummm… you can get out? O___o

Rim Tim Tagi Dim – the winner Croatia *almost* had… is there some one here tonight who can do one better and bring the trophy back?

And off we go with the results! Slovenia are giving their points first, giving 12 to Poison Cake

Next we’re off to Rijeka in Croatia (they’re mixing national and international juries by the looks of it!) 12 points from Rijeka to Through The Dark – told you the quiet ones would be ones to watch!

Madrid giving their points next – another 12 to Poison Cake

Split give 12 to AaAaA – told you these votes would go everywhere!

Armenia are also voting! Fun fact, it’s already Monday morning in Yerevan! They give 12 to Monopol – not doing as well as I expected…

Osijek in Eastern Croatia give 12 to Poison Cake – he’s starting to pull ahead!

Currently Poison Cake on 64, AaAaA on 43 and Znak on 37 – Strong still on 0…

Finland give 12 to Poison Cake as well, who now has a 26 point lead over AaAaA in 2nd

Croatia’s lovely capital Zagreb is voting now, their 12 goes to AaAaA

Above are the results of the jury votes, both national and international – will the Croatian public turn this on its head?

Well, we won’t find out just yet, they’re currently wandering around the Green Room asking contestants what they’re thinking

And now we’ve gone to adverts… oh HRT, you tease ;-)

And we’re back – does that mean the votes are ready? We’re due to finish soon…

Televotes are in! 9 points for Strong, 8 for Dom Si Srcu Mom

26 to Welcome to the Circus

A lot of low points so far, I think the winner has done it by a landslide… will it be Poison Cake?

11 points for Monopol… told you my forgetting them wasn’t a good omen!

The Soul of My Soul gets 69 from the televote, placing it 1st for now!

Barely 20 points between The Soul of My Soul and Poison Cake… that’ll be a hard lead to hold on to…

32 for Through The Dark

78 points for Daj Daj, they’ve overtaken Lelek!

39 for Luka, who is guaranteed at least 6th… if everyone else yet to score gets more than him!

Znak gets 19 points… would have thought it would be much more!

AaAaA get 49 points… it’s either Poison Cake or Daj Daj…

This is tense…

Poison Cake gets 47 points from the televote and jumps into the lead! Marko Bošnjak wins!

Thank you Croatia for another memorable instalment of Dora and thank you for reading along with this blog tonight – I hope you enjoyed the show!

Thank you Europe and goodnight!

Author: James Scanlan
Source: HRT