Eurovision Song Contest: Our song-by-song guide to Saturday's final

Our song-by-song guide including star rating for Saturday's Eurovision final, which takes place at Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena.

1 Cyprus 100-1

Act: Elena Tsagrinou

Song: El diablo

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: X-22-21-21-2-13

Verdict: Strap yourselves in. Ridiculously over the top sexed-up staging is off putting. Vocals a struggle in semi-final. **

2 Albania 500-1

Act: Anxhela Peristeri

Song: Karma

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: X-17-X-X-11-17

Verdict: Classic 1990’s belt-it-out Adriatic ballad. Will likely do very well with juries but poor draw rules out top-ten finish. *

3 Israel 300-1

Act: Eden Alene

Song: Set Me Free

Previous wins: 4

Last six years: X-9-14-23-1-23

Verdict: Don’t worry, you are not the first to observe the irony of the song title. One of the weaker songs in the female uptempo pop genre. *

4 Belgium 500-1

Act: Hooverphonic

Song: The Wrong Place

Previous wins: 1

Last six years: X-4-10-4-X-X

Verdict: Moody indie track with uninspiring staging. Experienced performers and likeable Spotify track but not a show song. **

5 Russia 150-1

Act: Manizha

Song: Russian Women

Previous wins: 1

Last six years: 7-2-3-X-X-3

Verdict: Ethnic Russian hip-hop mixed with traditional Mother Russia vibes. Strong female empowerment message has wide appeal. Possible top-ten. ****

6 Malta 7-1

Act: Destiny

Song: Je Me Casse

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: 23-X-12-X-X-14

Verdict: Incredible vocal performance. Radio-friendly upbeat track. Fabulous singer, strong bridge and anthemic finish but draw a major concern. *****

7 Portugal 40-1

Act: Black Mamba

Song: Love Is On My Side

Previous wins: 1

Last six years: X-X-X-1-26-X

Verdict: A stunning blues number. Charm, charisma, vocals, this has it all. With momentum it could be a top-four contender but draw is a worry. ****

8 Serbia 250-1

Act: Hurrican

Song: Loco Loco

Previous wins: 1

Last six years: X-10-18-X-19-18

Verdict: Think Serbian Shakira meets The Pussycat Dolls. Catchy, fun, uptempo track containing at least eight metres of hair extensions. ***

9 United Kingdom 100-1

Act: James Newman

Song: Embers

Previous wins: 5

Verdict: Disappointing effort from the UK. Newman is rather wooden on stage and vocals have been an issue in rehearsals. Bottom five and maybe worse. **

10 Greece 100-1

Act: Stefania

Song: Last Dance

Previous wins: 1

Last six years: 20-19-X-19-X-21

Verdict: Shades of The Weekend Blinding Lights. Wonderful singer with likeable raspy vocals. Staging leaves a bit to be desired. Mid- table. ***

11 Switzerland 9-1

Act: Gjon’s Tears

Song: Tout l’Univers

Previous wins: 2

Last six years: 13-X-X-X-X-4

Verdict: Splendid slow build ballad but eerily similar to Netherlands’ 2019 winner and juries will pick up on that. Arthouse staging works well. Top-four contender. ****

12 Iceland 14-1

Act: Daði og Gagnamagnið

Song: Ten Years

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: 15-X-X-X-X-10

Verdict: Last year’s hotpots. Ten Years is an endearing album track but not a smash hit. Not performing live due to Covid issues. Possible top-five contender. ***

13 Spain 500-1

Act: Blas Canto

Song: Voy a Quedarme

Previous wins: 2

Last six years: 10-21-22-26-23-22

Verdict: Dull, chorusless ballad. Could give the UK a run for its money for the wooden spoon. *

14 Moldova 500-1

Act: Natalia Gordienko

Song: Sugar

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: X-X-X-3-10-X

Verdict: Trashy pop song with dull staging. A surprise qualifier and will be near the bottom of the pile. *

15 Germany 500-1

Act: Jendrik

Song: I Don’t Feel Hate

Previous wins: 2

Last six years: 18-27-26-25-4-2

Verdict: Eukelele pop. Genuinely one of the worst efforts I can remember. Ever. And that is saying something. *

16 Finland 40-1

Act: Blind Channel

Song: Dark Side

Previous wins: 1

Last six years: 11-X-X-X-25-X

Verdict: Early 2000’s rock song, reminiscent of Linkin Park and Papa Roach. Will gain a few points but not in Italy’s league in terms of rock tunes. *

17 Bulgaria 66-1

Act: Victoria

Song: Growing Up Is Getting Old

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: X-X-4-2-14-X

Verdict: A slow moving jaunty ballad that offers little save for a sandy prop. I would prefer to eat sand for three minutes. *

18 Lithuania 66-1

Act: The Roop

Song: Discoteque

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: X-18-9-X-12-X

Verdict: Catchy track and splendid stage show with shades of Hot Chip and the Scissor Sisters. Slightly breathy vocal may see it struggle with juries. ***

19 Ukraine 9-1

Act: Go_A

Song: Shum

Previous wins: 2

Last six years: 6-X-1-24-X-X

Verdict: Ukranian folk music meets techno. Entrancing melody with a top class stage show to boot. I would like this in injection form please. ***

20 France 3-1

Act: Barbara Pravi

Song: Voila

Previous wins: 5

Last six years: 26-25-6-12-13-16

Verdict: Europe has fallen in love with this slow-build vive-le-France jazzy number. More French than a snail baguette. I find it passé. Non, merci. **

21 Azerbaijan 150-1

Act: Efendi

Song: Mata Hari

Previous wins: 1

Last six years: 22-12-17-14-X-8

Verdict: Ethnic bop. Yet another up-tempo female-led song and will be lost in the weeds despite plum draw. **

22 Norway 250-1

Act: Tix

Song: Fallen Angel

Previous wins: 2

Last six years: 8-8-X-10-15-6

Verdict: Early 2000’s Backstreet Boys claptrap. Might garner a few televotes but destined for the bottom half. *

23 Netherlands 500-1

Act: Jeangu Macrooy

Song: Birth of a New Age

Previous wins: 5

Last six years: 2-X-11-11-18-1

Verdict: Charming mix of English and Surinamese lyrics. Macrooy has strong stage presence. Good effort for a host nation. ***

24 Italy 2-1

Act: Maneskin

Song: Zitti e Buoni

Previous wins: 2

Last six years: 21-3-16-6-5-2

Verdict: Superb rock effort, reminiscent of The Strokes with a little Metallica for good measure. Chorus is a little jarring but handed the perfect draw. ****

25 Sweden 100-1

Act: Tusse

Song: Voices

Previous wins: 6

Last six years: 3-1-5-5-7-5

Verdict: Once again the Swedes send a generic pop track that could have been written by an algorithm. Likeable singer but not a contender. **

26 San Marino 100-1

Act: Senhit

Song: Adrenalina

Previous wins: 0

Last six years: 24-X-X-X-X-19

Verdict: San Marino. Flo Rida. Banging tune. This is Eurovision! ***

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