The Netherlands stay firm favourites but I don't know why

The second Semi Final went very much according to most predictions.

Armenia's girl brought us more thigh-length boots but she was too scary and just missed the cut.

Ireland really let themselves down terribly with such a poor singer, ineffective song and they must be now thinking that had been a huge mistake to put this girl in the show in the first place. the girl was almost permanently out of breath and that's not in a sexy or sultry way - just purely amatuer. So they never had a chance and will have been last or almost last.

Moldova's girl had that annoying accent which many from other countries have when trying to sing in English. The snow work by the Ukrainian artist was pretty but seemed rather disconnected to the song and there just to get attention. Whilst there were some great notes and the girl was in tune, this was not good enough to get through.

Switzerland sailed through with the guy who seemed popular. It's a nice commercial number that would not have been out of place in the 90s. With all the PC stuff at Eurovision I'd be surprised if it gets Top 5 but it is a good song.

Latvia have a well-sung, gentle number. It's simple, honest and well presented but has been at the bottom of the list of those expected to win since the start and is likely to fail as there just isn't anything to lift it and make it more memorable or lovable.

Romania have a curious entry. Some bits are very good and there's talent there but then there are also some pretty bad bits too. They're going home.

Denmark have a vaguely similar sort of entry to Ireland but this girl gets it right. A gentle but cheery number that seems to last quite a lot longer than the others! It doesn't but just seems that way. It's not a winner but makes the final. Why on Earth they need a big chair I have no idea. Sweet but no winner.

Sweden have a very confident and professional guy singing. He's good but I'm not convinced that the song is that great. Is he the only black guy in the Final? He's got lots of crowd support and Sweden are there, of course, but I don't see this doing the Top 3 thing that everyone expects.

Austria have a clever song but it is lost in the background noise. The girl tries hard but it's all a bit too much like hard work for most of us and Austria won't be in the final this year.

Croatia have one of the few real ballads and it is very well sung. The wings are all a bit 1980s and may lose them some votes. Nice job made overall and this might just sneak through into the final, I'd thought. It didn't. My guess is that it won't have missed by much.

Malta, like Ireland, are off-key from the start. It has a strange beat and really is not the best of songs and not performed well either. People had been praising the Maltese entry this year but I'm not sure it even deserves to get to the Final at all. It does, though.

Lithuania is tedious and really not worth writing much about.

Russia have an impressive song and performance from one of their best guys. It's smooth and classic but lacks something that makes it a winner for me. Certainly they're in the Final again.

Albania are impressive too. A very well-sung and traditional type of performance that we haven't seen many of so far. An impressive and interesting song which may just slip into the Top 10 and surprise people.

Norway have one of the best opening vocals and one of only a few catchy entries. If I can get Gary Barlow out of my mind then this stands a chance of surprising everyone and being Top 3.

The Netherlands are the out-and-out favourite to win and stay even further ahead after tonight's performance. It's a nice number, not easy to sing but lacks personality and I don't know how this guy will really 'connect' on the night. I just don't see this winning.

North Macedonia have one of the best songs in my opinion. It is sung really well. No fancy effects. Just a cool performance. I am delighted to see them get through and reckon they may well give everyone a surprise on the night.

Azerbaijan have a good pop song and make it through this year. There aren't many of the old Soviet countries in there this year so that will benefit them considerably. Well-presented and better than Sweden. It gets a bit boring but different enough to do fairly well.

My ranking was:

1 Norway
2 North Macedonia
3 Russia
4 Netherlands
5 Azerbaijan
6 Sweden
7 Switzerland
8 Croatia
9 Denmark
10 Albania

In the actual votes, Malta made the Final. Croatia didn't.