Personal thoughts on the 2010 acts...

I've got some time to make up, as I've not blogged during the selection process. With all the songs decided, these are my thoughts 10 acts for this year (in no particular order, the other 29 to follow):

Germany - its the favourite. I have a love/hate relationship with it. Nothing would make me happier than a Berlin 2011 Eurovision, and I think 'Satellite' is the catchiest song on offer this year. Its stuck in my head permanently, and I've now even been caught singing it aloud at a Eurovision tv event. Lena is a confident performer with a real personality and she'll pull off an excellent performance. However, Lenas voice despite being memorable grates on me. There's no need for her to imitate our Lisa Mitchell, an act who also grates on me with this nonsense mockney accent.

Switzerland - I'm still not understanding the appeal of this song... Michael von der Heide has a lovely voice, but maybe its the fact that I don't speak the language that makes it hard for me to enjoy the tune. Or it could be that I can't see beyond his ears and gold jacket. The Swiss have had far stronger entries in the past few years, and they didnt make it to the final. With the Swiss being in the stronger 2nd semi as well, I can't see 2010 being their year to qualify.

Estonia - I adore this tune. Malcolm Lincolns 'Siren' is one of the few songs I want to actually buy from this years lineup. Its a cool alternative song, harking back to my favourite era - the early 80s, with songwriting that I think compares with that of Squeeze. BUT its not a Eurovision song. Falling in the 1st semi, it stands a good chance to make it to the final, but it will be lost amongst the ballads and dance tunes. Shame.

Poland - 'Legenda' has one major failing for me - its so mixed up in style. One minutes its all Polish folk, then a touch of opera, then power ballad. Marcin has a wonderful voice, however the song is mess. I don't think it deserves such a bad form betting (last - 250/1 for most bookies), but its too hit and miss to make it to final unless some sympathy voting comes into play.

Latvia - look at Aisha, isn't she adorable? She is certainly the cutest female in the contest this year and votes for that. But 'What For?' was appauling in the Latvian final. She sang off key, the presentation featured washerwomen for no apparent reason I could see, so it looked like it belonged as a scene in Oliver. Where's the cast of Glee when you need them? The actual filmclip was very moving and kudos for that, but its the live sphere that matters. Again, its a 1st semi contender so there's a chance for final, but if so, 2nd half of the leaderboard at the final.

Bulgaria - ahhhh Miro. He's a hidden talent this one, and the song 'Angel si ti' is a corker of a dance tune. I can already picture myself at Euroclub singing 'woaaaaaaaaaah oh woah woaaaaaah woaaaah wo wo wo'. Great lyrics. He can sing, he can dance, he looks great on stage. And his filmclip goes down as my favourite for this year. There's nothing at all wrong, but at the same time I don't feel winner. I wish I felt differently, but he's in the 2nd semi and its a very borderline qualifier in my eyes. Rest assured Miro, I'll still cheer for you.

Albania - Juliana Pasha is THE most underrated act of 2010. From the moment I heard the song I disagreed with the majority of people - I knew 1. she was a very strong singer, and 2. in English, this song would really work. Juliana worked on her pronounciation (peoples most common complaint) and the lyrics are good. After the Netherlands Eurovision in Concert, it seems people have finally worked it out. It will be the song everyone will be dancing to in the Eurocafe over and over again. She'll be at least a top 3 qualifier from semi 1. This girl has the potential for top 5 in the 2010 final.

Turkey - MaNga were winners of Best European Act at MTV Awards last year. Fans seem to forget they already have a following and thus can't be discounted. Its a good tune, well performed, made even better by the recent remix. Only problem, rock rarely works at Eurovision (unless you are dressed as orcs). I think its good for an each way bet.

Sweden - they have this amazing history of great pop tunes, and yet in 2010, they give us this song by Anna Bergendahl - or as I think of her - Jewel-lite. The song in itself is inoffensive and pleasant enough, Anna can sing, but it goes nowhere. There's no highlight finish, there's no real presentation from Anna. It seems that Sweden have been so desperate this year to show they can do something different, and in doing so, lost the way completely. I wish I felt differently, but there were better songs than this at the Melodifestivalen that could have guaranteed them a top 5 finish in 2010.

Ireland - the welcome return of Niamh Kavanagh. Stunning voice and striking red hair, and a beautiful ballad that also marks the return of good Irish tunes at Eurovision. I like it, and its my choice of the female ballads this year. But Niamh is drawn amongst much younger and prettier artists in a strong semi, which makes me worry it wont qualify. If it was a year devoid of ballads (it isnt) then it certainly would. And its no longer the 1990s where it was all about the song. Being a winner once at Eurovision also no longer guarantees you'll do well again. My fingers are crossed firmly however for qualification to the final.