Yesterday,was Day 5 of the rehearsals in Vienna and today has also been the first opportunity to take a glimpse of the performances as we will see them on TV next Tuesday. So without further ado , let’s see the clips, with my opinions of how I think they will do on the big night .

Moldova -Satoshi “Viva Moldova”

Even though it was a short clip, it was enough to show me how chaotic and busy the staging is ! Satoshi is all dressed up in his sports gear and along with his backing dancers, they are really embracing the party spirit. However, I can’t help but feel it’s a bit too busy . There’s so much going on I found myself concentrating more on the staging than the actual song, which is more shouting than singing, in my view. It will be a good opener for Semi 1 but going first just might be problematic when it comes to qualifying for the Grand Final.

Sweden Felicia “My System “

Now I am not doubting for a minute that Felicia wants to put on the performance of her life, everyone does at Eurovision . However,I am worried about how this will come across on TV as opposed to in the arena . There’s lots of red, flashing images in the backdrop and lots of strobe lighting . It looks as if more strobes have been added since Melodifestivalen and for me , as it comes across on TV , it’s a little too much and I don’t usually have a problem with flashing lights and strobe lighting . This could put viewers off and definitely would be a no go for people who can’t tolerate flashing images or lights. Felicia is undoubtedly putting lots of effort into her performance, if she could just tone the flashing lights down a bit , this could make it far easier on the eye.

Croatia Lelek-Andromeda.

I tell you what…I wouldn’t want to meet these girls on a dark night ! They look very serious, as if they mean business! The staging itself is vastly elevated from the National Final . They are red and white outfits, which look like they have had a fight with a shredder , There’s wind , fire and lights galore . This might just get through.

Greece -Akylas “Ferto”

I have to say that when I first saw Akylas perform, I had a feeling we would be in for something bonkers on the big stage and here we are ! It’s absolutely bonkers with a a capital B. Akylas is taking us on a journey through video games . This might resonate with those of us who were around in the 90’s It’s another on e that will be remembered and is a fan favourite , which will very likely get them through to the Final but I do not see this as a winner as I don’t think it will resonate with all generations of voters .

Portugal -Bandidos do Cante “Rosa”

Portugal have given us some good entries over the years , some of which haven’t got the result they deserved ( think Vania Fernandes in 2008!) . However, I really can’t see them troubling the scoreboards this year and do fear for the guys, especially having to perform after a big favourite . It’s pleasant, but for me not enough to help them stand out amongst some very strong entries this year. I have a feeling Portugal may be sitting out the Grand Final this year, unless there are many voters out there who like this kind of song. Then again, I said this about their entry last year and look what happened !

Georgia -Bzikebi “On Replay “

In a tribute to their Junior Eurovision victory many moons ago , Bzikebi have all in one yellow and black space like suits on for their performance. The backdrop shows the three of them in futuristic cyber borg forms . I don’t know what to think of this . The song is a bit repetitive and I don’t feel it goes anywhere. If Georgia qualify , I think it will be at the lower end of the top 10.

Finland -Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen “Liekinheitin”

To be honest, Finland haven’t given us much to see in their rehearsal clip. We have Pete starting the song , apart from Linda on the stage .It’s hard to tell really how this will do, we will have to wait to see the full performance but I am looking forward to listen to Linda playing the violin live on the big night . I have a feeling it won’t be the runaway winner that people think although it will undoubtedly do very well.

Tamara Živković “Nova Zora”

Looking at the outfits of Tamara and her female backing dancers, I feel like we have been transported back into the Tudor period of English history with their Elizabethan like collars ! It’s very slick choreography , choreographed to an inch of its life ! Could be in with a chance of qualifying but coming on after Finland, Tamara will have her work cut out .

Estonia -Vanilla Ninja “Too epic to be true”.

Twenty one years after their first go at Eurovision in Kyiv, Ukraine , representing Switzerland , Vanilla Ninja are back, having won Eesti Laul. They have gone for the all rock look for their performance in Vienna . Now they are seasoned performers with a vast amount of experience of big events and they will be apparently engaging with the audience during their performance . Their experience may help get them through the Semi to the final

Israel -Noem Bettan -“Michelle”

Israel have gone for a diamond like prop on the stage with Noem joined by five female backing dancers .It’s ok as a performance goes , but I feel it lacks the power of their previous entries they have had over the years. They have a good qualification record though and I feel that this won’t change this year .

So that completes the Day 5 Eurovision Ireland review of rehearsals . Later this evening , I’ll be looking at the Day 6 rehearsals, where we will see the remaining acts of Semi Final 1 plus the Big 4 plus Austria will rehearse for the first time and I’ll be giving my thoughts on the rehearsal clips we will see on the Semi 1 acts and hopefully we’ll have some initial pictures of the Big 4 plus Austria rehearsals.

Let us know what you think of Eurovision 2026 by leaving us a comment below and you can find us on our Facebook, X , Instagram and Bluesky feeds .

Author : Sarah Rudman

Source : EBU ,You Tube , Instagram