Intro Post

< 2015 Final | 2016 Semifinals | 2016 Final >

I’d like to ask my readers to be patient with my next few Eurovision reviews. My real life has been a bit turbulent lately, especially due to my new work schedule. Don’t worry, I am completely intent on finishing this project!

Introduction

Now that Stockholm had hosted Eurovision twice and Malmö twice, surely it was Gothenburg’s time to get their second turn? Nope, Sweden decided to host in the exact same building as 2000: the Globe Arena (or Globen as the Swedes call it) in Stockholm. It never takes long for Sweden to narrow down the options, because sports get in the way of most of the promising choices. The Tele2 Arena* looks like SUCH a perfect option, but noooo, those stupid goddamn football teams decide their games are more important than Eurovision. (You can tell I’ve been spending too much time around Swedes.)

An impressive 42 countries participated this year: four returned after skipping 2015, Portugal skipped the contest to consider how to revitalize Festival da Canção, and Romania was almost going to participate but financial drama happened—just one of many controversies this year. The returning countries were Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine, and for the last time as of this writing, the financially troubled Bosnia and Herzegovina. This contest had 16 non-qualifiers, but I will cover 17 songs in this post because Romania had an entry ready.

To host the contest, SVT picked one of the most iconic duos in Eurovision history: Petra Mede who was the solo host of 2013, and Måns Zelmerlöw who was the winner of 2015. They’re just as charismatic and humorous as Petra is alone! And you can tell from their dynamic on stage that they really are good friends. Plus, Måns gets my stamp of approval for speaking German. I kind of wish I was obsessed with Eurovision back in 2016 so I could have as many interesting stories to tell as the friend I am watching this contest with, none other than Liv. We watched the semifinals with Norwegian commentary since not much else was available. She told me that as a Swede, she understands this commentary perfectly.

* Pronounced teletvå, like “tele-tvaw” in British English.