Eurovision Outsiders To Consider
On the back of our first Eurovision post, Germany has been a big market mover, now into 7-2 as hits on YouTube for Lena’s ‘Satellite’ have surpassed 4 million. Denmark’s ‘In A Moment Like This’ has also been cut for Outright glory to 14-1.
It is imperative to stay on top of each country’s track as we get closer to Oslo, with many evolving out of all recognition from the original. Belarus has changed its song, Albania has souped its entry up, Ukraine has submitted another entry after the previous one was thrown out on a technicality, and Bosnia’s is now being sung in English, and, like the new Albania version, sounds a whole lot better for the change.
It is equally important not to be put away by a polished studio version of any of these songs. They can be a far cry from what you see and hear on the night when performers have to sing live. Which is why the markets will shift dramatically once the rehearsals get underway prior to the semi-finals and the final.
As things currently stand, we could give a chance to at least a dozen of the songs in this year’s Eurovision field, and in such an open looking contest there is plenty of value to be had among the longer-priced contenders.
With Betfair having markets on the Top Four and Top Ten, you don’t have to pick the winner to turn a profit. Here are six we believe have a chance of getting in the shake up.
Our first dark horse has to be Turkey available at 33-1 ew (first 4) with William Hill. In the last seven years it has produced a winner, three 4th places and a 7th – a mightily impressive record that has to be respected regardless of changes in the voting procedure. Its entry this year – ‘We Could Be The Same’ by MaNga – has the chance to stand out because it is a rock number, reminiscent of Muse or Linkin Park, in a year when ballads are so much to the fore.
Slovakia’s Horehronie sung by Kristina is another we feel sure will be in the mix, available at 40-1 ew (first 4) with Paddy Power and William Hill. It is enchanting for the fact Kristina sings in her native tongue and it remains true to its ethnic origins. It is very much a traditional Eurovision song and as such a safer betting proposition than many quoted at shorter odds in the competition.
Next on our list has to be Romania’s ‘Playing With Fire’ sung by Paula Seling & Ovi. If they replicate their qualifying performance, this is a potentially show-stopping number as the duo play on the girlfriend/boyfriend dynamic singing opposite one another at the piano. The lyrics are simplistic but it’s a toe-tapping, impactful song nonetheless and at 66-1 ew (first 4) with bet365 and William Hill is decent value, and one to consider in Betfair’s Top Ten market.
Another dark horse we like has to be Ukraine, available at 66-1 ew with bet365, Ladbrokes and William Hill. ‘Sweet People’ is a powerful ballad sung by Alyosha. She has an emotive voice and looks capable of delivering a big performance on Eurovision night. Also in its favour is the song’s lyrics about mankind’s destruction that could strike a chord with viewers, and see them spontaneously spark up their lighters like it’s the Scorpions singing ‘Wind Of Change’ around the time when the Berlin Wall came down. It’s a very tough semi-final for Alyosha but if she makes it through she could be another Top Ten contender.
Iceland’s ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ sung by Hera Bjork – a tempting 80-1 ew (first 4) with William Hill – is an upbeat, house tune that could also stand out on the night and defy its detractors. It’s reminiscent of Madonna circa her ‘Frozen’ album, defiantly retro, undeniably catchy and another Top Ten contender.
Last but not least Moldova’s ‘Run Away’ sung by Sun Stroke Project & Olia Tira – available at 100-1 ew (first 4) with bet365 and William Hill – is a quirky dance tune incorporating saxophone, violin, and rap. Personally, I’ve not heard such memorable sax since Steve Norman’s segment in Spandau Ballet’s seminal ‘True’. If it progresses from semi-final 1 it could sneak into the Top Ten because, again, like Turkey, Romania and Iceland, it has stand-out appeal and given a favourable draw could, in the immortal words of Pink, really get the party started in Oslo on final night.
Don’t forget to keep voting on our Eurovision Top Five poll, and look out for upcoming Eurovision posts looking at the semi-finals.
Rob Furber