Day 5. Live Blog 2nd Rehearsals

Today we will follow the 2nd rehearsals in Ahoy, and will keep you informed live.                                                 In Cooperation with: Eurovision Artists. Photo & Video Credits: EBU

17.15 – Ukraine

Last of the day Go_A, performs with a stand-in (Emmy) for singer Kateryna Pavlenko. Kateryna did not feel quite fit this morning, and in accordance with the security measures, she remains in quarantine pending a Covid-19 test. Whether the stand-in Emmy sings live, or whether the tape recording from the first rehearsal was used, is not entirely clear. Fact is, whether you like this genre or not … the act is rock solid. With a 9th place in the polls, Ukraine will undoubtedly easily qualify for the final.

16.50 – Azerbaijan

Also today, Efendi puts down a solid rehearsal. Here and there some minor flaws in song and dance, and a little more conviction than last Sunday. 21st place in the poll. A place in the final is certainly not excluded.

 

16.25 – Romania

Roxen performs in the same comfortable as last Sunday. Although vocally a little bit stronger than during the 1st rehearsal, Roxen comes across as nervous and anxious, which does not help her voice and the strong message of her song. 16th in the polls … Final perhaps , if she manages to recover.

16.00 – Israel

During the first rehearsal it became clear that it is sometimes difficult for Eden to combine singing and dancing. The whole act looks energic and modern, but also today, Eden has trouble with the combination of singing and dancing. 17th in the polls, but will Israel make it to the final?

 

15.35 – Belgium.

Hooverphonic still impresses today with their modest, sober and well-thought-out act. A welcome change from all the visual violence. Only a 20th place in the polls, but hopefully thanks to the professional jury we will see Belgium back in the final.

14.45 – Croatia

Vocally, this rehearsal sounds a lot better than the first. The act is well put together, Albina herself still seems a bit insecure and nervous. Hopefully she will get over that before Tuesday. Own the stage girl!! With a 19th place in the polls, a final place should certainly be possible.

14.20 – Norway

Today TIX puts on a much better rehearsal than last saturday, when the nerves seemed to be playing tricks on him. TIX has a high favor- and sympathy factor, and with a 15th place in the polls, we would like to see him back in the final.

13:55 – Cyprus

Elena once again puts on an okay rehearsal, occasionally she sounds a bit out of breath. With seventh place in the polls, Cyprus will reach the final without too much trouble.

1.30 pm – Ireland

Hard work has been done in the Irish camp in recent days. The whole thing seemed very messy last Saturday, during the 2nd rehearsal all the graphics come into their own much better, and it seems as if Lesley is running barefoot through a book, turning the pages. Vocally, there is still some gains to be made. With a 24th place in the polls, the question is whether it is all good enough for a final place.

 

13.05 – North Macedonia

While there were some minor flaws in his vocals last Saturday, today Vasil puts down a solid rehearsal, although it seems that, especially at the end during the last blow, he is holding back to spare his voice. North Macedonia ranks 32 in the polls. It is very doubtful whether Vasil will be able to qualify for the final.

 

11.40 – Australia

Just like last Saturday, no rehearsal in Ahoy , since Montaigne is not present in Rotterdam, but an exclusive preview

11.15 – Sweden

Tusse had still some problems with his voice last Saturday, this now seems to have recovered completely. On stage there was an apparently self-assured, radiant Tusse, with a well-thought-out, slick act as we are used to from Sweden. Sweden ranks 10th in the polls. We will certainly see Tusse in the final

 

10.50 – Russia

No changes in the act here either. Solid and stable act and vocals. The powerful message / ode to the Russian woman is very clear! Russia is ranked 14th in the polls. Finals should not be a problem. We would not be surprised if Russia managed to get a top ten, perhaps even a 5 position  in the final

10.25 – Slovenia.

In the second rehearsal for Slovenia, Ana comes out better than last Saturday. More confident in her singing and movement across the stage, although it seems her shoes are killing her. Slovenia is in 35th place in the polls. A final place will be a challenge.

10.00 am – Lithuania. The Roop shows  a solid,  dynamic act again in the 2nd rehearsal, with little or no changes. The Roop is ranked 8th in the polls. A top ten listing should certainly be possible for the Roop.

 

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Azerbaijan

Road to Vienna: Azerbaijan We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Azerbaijan. JIVA: Azerbaijani versatility Pop Star JIVA, born Jamila Hashimova on 9 September 1982 in Moscow, is an Azerbaijani singer and songwriter. Known for her versatility, she performs in Azerbaijani, Russian, and English, blending pop, dance, and R&B into her sound. Early Career and Breakthrough JIVA began her musical journey in the early 2000s. Her first major recognition came in 2003 when she finished second at the Baku Autumn song contest. In 2007, she expanded her audience by competing in the TV music show Show Time, establishing herself in Azerbaijan’s music scene. Musical Growth and Collaborations Over the years, JIVA refined her artistry through collaborations and live performances. She worked with the RAST ensemble and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, gaining international exposure. As the lead singer of the Hazz Band, she combined jazz influences with modern pop. She also appeared at major events like the Zhara Festival in 2018 and collaborated with artists such as Emin, Zülfiyyə Xanbabayeva, and Manana Japaridze. Solo Career Success In 2017, JIVA focused on her solo career, releasing multilingual tracks across pop, dance, and R&B genres. Her big breakthrough came in 2025 when she won Səs Azərbaycan (The Voice of Azerbaijan), significantly boosting her popularity and opening new doors. Eurovision 2026 Journey After an earlier attempt in 2011, JIVA was selected to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Chosen through a competitive internal process, she is set to bring her dynamic style to an international audience. Just Go: Emotional Storytelling That Connects The latest single delivers a powerful story of lost love, betrayal, and personal growth. It captures the journey from deep devotion to the painful realization of deception, ultimately highlighting the strength it takes to move on. Themes of Betrayal and Self-Discovery At its core, the song explores universal themes like heartbreak, self-discovery, and emotional healing. Its relatable lyrics reflect the process of facing the truth, letting go, and reclaiming personal power—making it a standout breakup anthem. Bilingual Twist with Azerbaijani Lyrics A unique feature of the track is its bilingual element, including a segment in Azerbaijani. This adds cultural depth and enhances the emotional impact, while broadening its appeal to a global audience. Dynamic Sound and Powerful Composition Musically, the song blends emotional melodies with dynamic production. The contrast between intimate verses and powerful choruses mirrors the highs and lows of a failing relationship, reinforcing its message of resilience and empowerment. Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest Since debuting in 2008, Azerbaijan has been a strong contender in the Eurovision Song Contest. Azerbaijan ended up in the top5 on many occasions. The country secured its first victory in 2011 with Ell and Nikki‘s “Running Scared.” Over the years, Azerbaijan has achieved several top-ten finishes, reflecting its commitment to the competition and its emphasis on high-quality performances and productions. The last few years, however, Azerbaijan didn’t manage to reach the final. The Bookmakers Once again, a spot in the final seems far out of reach—sitting at 35th with the bookmakers, turning things around now feels almost impossible.  

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Azerbaijan

Road to Vienna: Azerbaijan We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Azerbaijan. JIVA: Azerbaijani versatility Pop Star JIVA, born Jamila Hashimova on 9 September 1982 in Moscow, is an Azerbaijani singer and songwriter. Known for her versatility, she performs in Azerbaijani, Russian, and English, blending pop, dance, and R&B into her sound. Early Career and Breakthrough JIVA began her musical journey in the early 2000s. Her first major recognition came in 2003 when she finished second at the Baku Autumn song contest. In 2007, she expanded her audience by competing in the TV music show Show Time, establishing herself in Azerbaijan’s music scene. Musical Growth and Collaborations Over the years, JIVA refined her artistry through collaborations and live performances. She worked with the RAST ensemble and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, gaining international exposure. As the lead singer of the Hazz Band, she combined jazz influences with modern pop. She also appeared at major events like the Zhara Festival in 2018 and collaborated with artists such as Emin, Zülfiyyə Xanbabayeva, and Manana Japaridze. Solo Career Success In 2017, JIVA focused on her solo career, releasing multilingual tracks across pop, dance, and R&B genres. Her big breakthrough came in 2025 when she won Səs Azərbaycan (The Voice of Azerbaijan), significantly boosting her popularity and opening new doors. Eurovision 2026 Journey After an earlier attempt in 2011, JIVA was selected to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Chosen through a competitive internal process, she is set to bring her dynamic style to an international audience. Just Go: Emotional Storytelling That Connects The latest single delivers a powerful story of lost love, betrayal, and personal growth. It captures the journey from deep devotion to the painful realization of deception, ultimately highlighting the strength it takes to move on. Themes of Betrayal and Self-Discovery At its core, the song explores universal themes like heartbreak, self-discovery, and emotional healing. Its relatable lyrics reflect the process of facing the truth, letting go, and reclaiming personal power—making it a standout breakup anthem. Bilingual Twist with Azerbaijani Lyrics A unique feature of the track is its bilingual element, including a segment in Azerbaijani. This adds cultural depth and enhances the emotional impact, while broadening its appeal to a global audience. Dynamic Sound and Powerful Composition Musically, the song blends emotional melodies with dynamic production. The contrast between intimate verses and powerful choruses mirrors the highs and lows of a failing relationship, reinforcing its message of resilience and empowerment. Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest Since debuting in 2008, Azerbaijan has been a strong contender in the Eurovision Song Contest. Azerbaijan ended up in the top5 on many occasions. The country secured its first victory in 2011 with Ell and Nikki‘s “Running Scared.” Over the years, Azerbaijan has achieved several top-ten finishes, reflecting its commitment to the competition and its emphasis on high-quality performances and productions. The last few years, however, Azerbaijan didn’t manage to reach the final. The Bookmakers Once again, a spot in the final seems far out of reach—sitting at 35th with the bookmakers, turning things around now feels almost impossible.  

Read More »
Follow Us: