Five Countries I Cheered For At The ESC 2026’s SF1

Watching the Eurovision semi-finals is always a thrilling experience for me, especially in 2026 when the competition was fierce in Vienna. I was cheering for Croatia, Finland, Serbia, Georgia, and Montenegro — a mix of hopefuls that sparked many emotions. Croatia's comeback to the Grand Final was truly exciting. It’s great to see them regain their momentum, especially after some quiet years. Their energy and stage presence were infectious, making it a pleasure to root for them. Finland’s entry, Linda & Pete, captured my attention not only with their captivating performance but also with their chance to bring Finland a second Eurovision victory. Their song had a unique blend of emotion and modernity that really stood out. Seeing Serbia qualify with Lavina was another highlight. The vibe and charisma they brought to the stage showed why Serbia often makes a strong impression in the contest. On the flip side, it was disappointing to see Georgia and Montenegro not make it to the Grand Final. Georgia, with their group Bzikebi — whom I fondly remember from their Junior Eurovision days in 2008 — performed beautifully but narrowly missed out. Montenegro’s Tamara Živković had a heartfelt performance that I felt deserved more recognition, especially since they have struggled to qualify consistently. Eurovision always brings a sense of community and excitement, from home in the basement to connecting with fans online through hashtags like #Eurovision2026 and #Vienna2026. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next semi-final and seeing if more surprises await. It’s these moments of hope, disappointment, and celebration that keep Eurovision so special each year.