giraffeandy

@Prisca Reading this thread, I really hope you're a better taxi driver than Mika...

I've read that apparently all the guest performances used recordings from the rehearsals...

I agree with all your points, exactly my feelings and thoughts!

I mean of course it had an impact but what I meant to say was that it makes me sad when people are angry about Ukraine winning "because of the war". On Twitter many people were complaining and especially people from countries finishing right behind them were bitter. I just wish people would let Ukraine have this moment without these mean comments. Also their song was actually really good.

Oh, there's another thing that gets on my nerve regarding the voting... People now complain that the competition got political because Ukraine won. But nobody cares that there are juries that every year give 12 points to their neighbours (Portugal & Spain, Greece & Cyprus, Serbia & Montenegro...). Even though they are supposed to rate the quality of the song regardless where it comes from. But apparently, that's not politics...

Yes but you can't compare Spanish or Italian with Czech. The same with French. These are all big languages. If the message of the song isn't clear, people won't vote for it because they don't understand. Some countries even use subtitles because of that (Serbia this year for example).

I'm quite sad that many people think Ukraine only won because of the war. I saw people complaining on Twitter and saying the public was pity voting for them. I mean, I get it, it had an effect but I genuinely think they had a good song and deserve it. Someone even wrote they shouldn't participate in the first place when they are in war and got a ton of likes for the comment... What's wrong with people! I didn't like the Spanish song at all and I'm really glad it didn't win (even though I actually do like Spanish music a lot but I found this song really overrated, it was so generic...). The UK song was solid but I didn't love it either. I really liked Sweden and Italy (Italian songs never disappoint at Eurovision, Italy is always among my favourite ones). So my top 3 was probably Sweden, Italy and Ukraine. I have to say that I was hoping for a better position for the Czech song too because this year I think we had one of the best songs in our history but I guess starting the show didn't do us a favour... On the other hand, I was really shocked how well Moldova did! For me, it was probably the worst song of the night but they got so many points... They even finished 3rd in the Czech voting (after Ukraine and Serbia). Sometimes the results leave me just speechless.

The one time we had a song in Czech, we finished last with only 1 point (in the semifinal). Since then nobody wants a Czech song because of that, that's the reality. We always had the best results with English songs.

I just thought on Tuesday that it would be nice to hear Mika announcing the Czech Republic as one of the finalists...

Tbh, I think it must be this way when it comes to such a big show, the pressure and responsibility is huge and all Europe (& Australia) is watching...

I just saw that many people on YT call the results unexpected and shocking compared to the bets but it seems you had better tips than the bookmakers...

I'm really surprised to see the song Lost and Found in the playlist because it's a Czech song and I don't know where Mika could hear it...

I really hope so because I'm still not the biggest fan of Yoyo and I think Modern Times isn't supposed to be a single if I got it right? So a new song would be great!

Exactly, I also hear another voice towards the end. I still think it might be a collab.

Unfortunately, this one is too repetitive for my taste. Also it sounds rather like a collaboration with a DJ than his solo project?

I have to say that I wasn't too excited when I saw the setlist but then the show was really great, so much energy, it made even the older songs shine!

Same, I also thought of Love Today when I heard that part.

I like the song a lot, after two listenings it's already stuck in my head... I'm curious to hear the studio version, the production always makes a big difference. But so far I really like the sound of it.

Yes, if they "win" the war too (whatever it means in this situation, of course in the end there are only losers in a war...)

Me too but I'm afraid this is not the kind of support they are wishing for from other European countries...

Czech entry. I do like it a lot more than the last one.

If the radiation hits Russia, they will say it's Ukraine attacking them, they don't care about their own people...

No-one told them they are going to fight in the first place so that's very likely. They weren't prepared for a war.

Yeah, my grandmother also mentioned that on the phone today. It's scary how the history still repeats itself.

I can't stop thinking about the war. I really wish I could do more and help somehow, there are many donations here, people collecting money or medical and military equipment, offering their houses for refugees etc. but it seems there's nothing I can do from my position. At least I signed up as a volunteer in a community center to help sort the supplies but they haven't called me yet so probably they have enough volunteers so far. Also in most cases they rather look for volunteers who speak Ukrainian or Russian. But I don't think I can fully enjoy anything under these circumstances. And I know there's still some war going on somewhere in the world but this one really hits too close to home. My grandmother is terrified, remembering the Russian invasion here in 1968 and how she felt back then. Everyone is talking about the situation and it feels like a nightmare. People on Twitter seriously asking if anyone has a bulletproof vest because they know some Ukranians returning home to fight, that's so surreal...