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Voting analysis (1): the first semi final
Please note: as eurovision.tv does, we DO take into account the tie-break rule for positions other than the winning. The use of this rule is disputed but generally does not affect the results too much.
The results:
You can find the scoreboard on eurovision.tv here.
- Greece – 156
- Armenia – 139
- Russia – 135
- Norway – 106
- Israel – 104
- Azerbaijan – 96
- Romania – 94
- Finland – 79
- Bosnia & Herzegovina – 72
- Poland – 42
- Slovenia – 36
- Moldova – 36
- Netherlands – 27
- Montenegro – 23
- Ireland – 22
- Andorra – 22
- Belgium – 16
- Estonia – 8
- San Marino – 5
Quick stats
Poland finished 10th in the semi final but still went forward to the final as it would also have been the highest country seen by the jury that did not finish in the top nine.
Only two of the countries that did not qualify got a 12-pointer: Montenegro (from Bosnia & Herzegovina) and Andorra (once again from Spain). On the other hand, Azerbaijan and Israel qualified without getting 12 points at all.
All countries got points from at least two other countries.
Greece got points from all other countries. Norway, Armenia and Russia came close, getting points from 17 out of the 18 other countries (Norway got no points from Greece, Armenia got no points from Azerbaijan and Russia got no points from San Marino).
The runner-up from Armenia scored 12 points the most times: five times. Greece, the winner, only four times.
Ten countries, which means about half of them, got at least once douze points.
San Marino finished last in the semi final following in the footsteps of the Czech Republic who finished last in the 2007 semi final on their debut. San Marino is therefore the eighth country in the history of the contest that debuts with a last place.
The surprises
Now that we can see the complete votes, there are some surprises: the first semi final was won by Greece with 17 points ahead of Armenia. Russia, the eventual winner, only placed third another four points behind. Norway was a fan favourit but not so popular with the bookmakers but still finished in 4th place.
The running order
For the first time a song from #2 qualified – Israel. In fact, Israel even finished 5th. That is the highest position from this number since 2002 and the ninth highest in the history of the contest (along with the Danish entry in 1959). For the first time since 1989, a song that was performed last finished first; Secret combination is the seventh “winner” that was performed last.
Some friendly and some not-so- friendly neighbours
Slovenia got its highest marks from the other former Yugoslav countries: 20 in total, which means more than half of the total score. Norway got its only 12 points from Finland. On the other hand, Finland got only six points from Norway but 12 points from both Estonia and Andorra. Bosnia got 12 points from the other two former Yugoslav countries but also 12 points from Norway (we would later see that the Bosnian entry was very popular in the Nordic countries). Andorra got its highest mark from Spain, the Netherlands from Belgium, Belgium from the Netherlands and Moldova from Romania and also Romania from Moldova. Estonia got seven of it’s eight points from Finland (maybe because the song was partly in Finnish?). Surprisingly, the only country that gave no points to Armenia was another former USSR country: Azerbaijan.
Related polls
- Norway: Vote for your favourite song in the final of Melodi Grand Prix
- Azerbaijan: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Milli Seçim Turu
- Hungary: Vote for your favourite act in the final of A Dal
- Iceland: Vote for your favourite song in the final of Songvakeppni Sjonvarpsins
- Malta: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012
- Hungary: Vote for your favourite act in the second semifinal of A Dal
- Norway: Vote for your favourite song in the third semifinal of Melodi Grand Prix
- Sweden: Vote for your favourite act in the first semifinal of Melodifestivalen
- Malta: Vote for your favourite act in the semifinal of Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012
- Bulgaria: Vote for your favourite act in the Bulgarian national final 2012
- Latvia: Vote for your favourite act in the final of Eirodziesma 2012
- Belarus: Vote for your favourite act in the final of EuroFest 2012
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What an ignorant remark to end the article!
"Surprisingly, the only country that gave no points to Armenia was another former USSR country: Azerbaijan."
If you knew anything about the relationships between the two countries, you wouldn't be surprised. Geography is not all and politics more complicated than old blocks.
It was even reported, when Azerbaijan launched their participation in the ESC, that the Azeri minister of culture would have motivated the participation by their will to counteract their "undesirable" neighbours. And that probably did not refer to Turkey!
Can we agree on 1 thing, that in no country do the emigrants/diaspora count 4 half of the population? Can we agree that the diaspora in any country is not more than 15% either? In most countries the emigrants count from 2/3-10/15% max and even then it`s not a single nationality that counts 4 so much, the 15% is many different nationalities and many of them aren`t even from European countries (meaning their homeland is not participating in ESC)… can we agree on this so far?
So then u say that it`s normal if let say Danish ppl vote 4 the Norwegian song coz they have similar taste or that UK use 2 vote 4 Ireland b4 coz again they have similar language and cultural taste… so it`s normal that u c this countries share points coz they understand and like each other music better, so then why is it so hard 2 understand that lets say Turks in Germany will like the Turkish music better? Sure they vote 4 it coz of patriotism but can it also be (like the westerners) that they also understand the music better and like it better? Can it be that the Armenians in Belgium really liked and understood the Armenian music much more than the Belgian song? So it`s both ppl, both that they 2 like and understand music and also coz of the patriotic reasons.
Then u go on and complain that Western countries don`t win and eastern countries get more points coz of Diaspora voting (neighbor vote is still more understandable coz of what I mentioned b4… and this seems more fair in this unfair system, but diaspora voting is the worse 4 most of u). But if u so want 2 win or get better place in the final why don’t u just move ur lazes asses and vote? Why don`t u watch it more? Coz I`m sure the 3-15% of the emigrants in Belgium (and I`m sure it`s less than that, it`s 3-15% not just Armenians but Turks, Greeks, Somalia, Iran u name it) couldn`t give 12points 2 Armenia if the native ppl voted 2. U don’t watch it, u don’t talke it seriously, u don’t vote and then u come here and complain that u didn’t get a better place in the final? If u don’t watch, don’t vote ect why do u care if u win or get a better place? WHY? The emigrants watch it and love it and vote 4 it so why shouldn`t they get 2 c their countries in the Finial and have their country win? They r after all most of the active viewers, so why isn`t it fair that all Armenian watching it and being active with voting and then c Belgium win it when Belgian ppl didn’t even watch, didn’t really vote and don’t even care?
Estonia got 7 points from Finland because nowadays there is a lot of Estonian labour in Finland, who apparently voted their own country.
From the TOP5 last night just Norway diserved the 1st place!
And fortunately, at least, Maria Haukaas Storeng got a 5th place!
(even tough Ukraine performed very very well)
I see it's not just me that feels the saidness about ESC growing. ESC, a contest that i love, is taking the bad way.
This should be a party to celebrate the union of the European people, showing their cultures. Nowadays just become political and the fairness completly dissappear! This is no longer acceptable. Europe must be the home of democracy but is ESC is not.
This way Portugal will never win this contest. As well Iceland and Malta.
I've heard that journalists chosed "Senhora do Mar" as the winner; that's a price already. Thanks to all of you!
This issue about big4 is quite controversal too. This year i like the german entrie very much and i enjoyed UK entrie too. French and spanish entries were very dissapointing.
Would be more fair having the TOP4 qualifying automaticaly to the forward year along with the song of the hosting country. Even more fair would be just the song from the winning country passing automaticaly to the final. I think it's fair that the hosting country can have their song in the final.
Although we all know why there are the big4, they are the biggest contributors to the EBU.
THIS YEAR STRONGEST AND EMTIONAL SONG: "SENHORA DO MAR"
NO OTHER SONG THIS YEAR COME CLOSER TO "SENHORA DO MAR"(*) NO OTHER IS GOOD AS "SENHORA DO MAR"!
I'M HAPPY 'CUZ WE SENT THE BEST SONG SUNG BY THE PERFECT VOICE OF VÂNIA FERNANDES!
(*)(*)(*)
Ppl I also think that they should let top 5 or at least top 3 go 4ward without any semi coz at least b4, if u`re country didnt win but still was in top 10 (top 10 when we have 43 countries now will be 2 much, so that`s why I say top5 or top3) u would at least get something out of it, do u understand me? at least it wont feel so bad 2 lose, coz ur placing in the final will still mean something ...
but this way as we have now if u`re not the winner or Big 4, u might as well end up as the last place, u know what I mean? what separates the last place from 2nd place? nothing... at least if u get 2 go directly 2 the finials that`ll be some kind of consolation price
ONLY THE COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION SHOULD PARTICIPATE. END OF STORY...
(and for all of you that fight over east-west-north-east, europe has always been divided in West and East NOT by geographical terms BUT by political, historical and cultural terms. For example, Greece is east in geography, but has always been -since the beginning of history- west. It was THE beginning of west. More west than Poland, Check Republic and others (which are central in the map but have always been east in all other terms). I am not Greek, but we can't say whatever we want just because of eurovision! Some of you -especially the ones that want to be in the EU and are not- go open some books !!!
EUROVISION ONLY FOR EU MEMBERS !!!
Dear Europeans,
Last night were the most said and predictable voting ever... Voting is always a very exciting part, but now is coming no exiciting at all! We can guess almost all the 12 points! No matter the song is good or not Cyprus will always give 12 points to Greece. The same in the Balkans. The same in the Baltic. I have to agree with the people that say that Malta is the only fair country voting! I was really surprised with the scandinavia, they were quite fair and they didn't gave all 12 points to Sweden.
I can't believe that someone let this happen: Macedonia diserved to be in the final and it was not!?!?! How they explain that Macedonia got the 10th and went out the contest while Sweden got 12th and passed to the final!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! THIS IS A SCANDAL********** what a shame!
I'm a truly fan of ESC since kid, but now i'm getting very said about it. This is no longer a Europe contest but a Eastern-Europe contest!
~
I hope things can change for BETTER. If not, i am so said to say that but would be better if Portugal come out of the competion! THIS YEAR THE PORTUGUESE SONG WAS THE BEST! WE GOT THE SECOND PLACE IN THE SEMI-FINAL AND WHAT HAPPEN IN THE FINAL?????????? VÂNIA WAS THE BEST ON THE STAGE! SHE'S A TRUE SINGER!
VÂNIA DON'T WORRY! YOU JUST GOT 13th PLACE BUT YOU WERE NOT A SHAME FOR US! YOU WERE THE BEST! YOU SUNG PERFECTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PORTUGAL FOR ME WAS THE WINNER NO MATTER WHAT HAPPEN! VÂNIA YOU WERE PERFECT!
Like Luxembourg and Italy all western countries should leave ESC and create a new contest since we no longer belong to this competion.
This year UK got a good song and ended up in the last position!
Russia just won because political issues, and because of the points from "neighboours"!
Voting system must be change because this way is NOT FAIR AT ALL.........
I'm sorry but i do not understand how is possibly that silly songs like Azerbaijan and Bosnia got a so high position!
Denmark was brilliant and they ended up in 15th.
And from the TOP 11 Norway was the best performance followed by Georgia, Serbia and Israel.
I don't know what to think about all this unfair issues! That makes me very said!
Sir Terry Wogan is right! EBU must do something now!
THANKS TO ALL THAT FAIRLY VOTED FOR US! THANKS FOR GIVING US A VERY DISERVING SECOND PLACE IN THE SEMI-FINAL!
THANKS YOU ALL!
****************************************************************************
OMFG I meant Finland, but heck it could be both.
Well at least we learned sth today, Andora is a neighbouring country to Norway, which explains the 12 pts.
Finland shouldn't qualify. They were a bad copy of Lordi.
Netherlands, San Marino & Slovenia were robbed. Poland was bad too.
Belgium was just a stupid act. Same for Ireland. I wonder why they don't have singers there.
Russia was a failure finishing only 3rd in the semifinal !
but hey they didn't have the political vote of the final!
I don't think Russia should have won the contest. Portugal was my favourite. Armenia was much better than in the semi - final. I was rooting for her when you could see that Greece, Russia, Armenia and Ukraine where fighting it out. Greece was just awefull; like our commentators said: 'a GreekBritney Spears clone'. Russia's song wasn't that good as in 2006. All in all I think it was a good contest with some nice surprices: Romania, Armenia, Israel, Ukraine , Portugal.
The only thing that I can't understand is that Belgium only got 16 points??? That Irish turkey got more points, for that Europe: hang your head in shame...
Sadly it’s not a surprise that Azerbaijan never gave votes to Armenia in light of the dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan. I've been to Baku and was told of the bitterness about this. For once I think that politics definitely did play a part.
I am happy for Norway 
But Greece was not good ... The same shaky voice , awful hair ( it looked like she never washed it ) , skinny ass shaking all over the place , stolen melody and performance ( a lame copy of Helena , but she can't be her )..... Russia was OK
Belgium third to last? Oh well, at least we're improving in rank 
What frustrates me the most is that our votes never reflect what we really like. The general public opinion is not even close to the points we give every year. Belgians don't bother to vote anymore: we barely watch the finals because we're never in it + our votes are outnumbered by the diaspora people so it doesn't make any difference if we sms or not
i think good - Poland is a judges type.
I just don't understand why everybody was so crazy about Greece.
and the Barbara Dex goes to...
ANDORRA!!!! (though Hungary was dressed bad as well)
Russia would still have won if only the countries in the finale had been allowed to vote:
Russland 162
Ukraina 143
Norge 131
Hellas 116
I'm also surprised at Russia's 3rd place in the semi. Would Russia have won if only the countries in the final had voted?
Jaksa Popovic:
Not necessarily diaspora. I think the Swedes liked the B&H entry. I did and it was one of the songs I voted for.
Big big shame on televoting Europe that Belgium only was 17th!!!
And San Marino didn't deserve the last place!
Congratulations and thanks to San Marino on a great song that some of us will be listening to long after this edition of the contest is behind us. At least to some of us, this show is still an opportunity for countries to show their music, and the scoreboard becomes less and less important!
@Africa Vision
Oh really? then explain to me how is it that in the second semi were: Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania...
???
Im not denying they had a good song, but man, it was NOT the best........
@Marsha Monreal:
"So the stats are saying that ESTONIA had a better song than SAN MARINO.....oh please cut this crap"
No, all they are saying is that Estonia had a more popular song than San Marino! You don't really believe that the voting actually says a lot about how GOOD a song is?
@ Jaksa Popovic
At least in Finland B&G votes aren`t due to immigrants. There are only about 1500-2000 Bosnians living in Finland.
What I red from finnish messageboards, people just simply liked the song and performance.
I agree with the EESC and WESC and having finalists vote. Thats exactly what i was thinking last night so I agree that great minds share great ideas
IMPORTANT
What I see lately more obvious that Scandinavians are getting closer in voting with the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania).
If we look for the results except Baltic voting for Russia and Ukraine (as they have big number of them in the Baltics), big number of votes went to Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and even Finland. And vice-versa Denmark, Sweden and Iceland gave the points to Latvia, while Finland 10 pt. to Estonia in semi-fnal.
So the Nordic countries are getting stronger as the region. Soon we will be able to call it Scandbalt or Balto-Scandinavia.
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