The Scholars of Shen Zhou

1) Netherland's Duncan Laurence with Arcade 492

Early favourite and can see why it won, not my type of power-ballad but song awell, decent lyrics, Laurence a bit trying too hard to smoulder for camera. No objections to their victory

2) Italy's Mahmood "Soldi" 465

First of the dance numbers that just left me cold, where the energy and charisma didn't translate for me though got strong reaction in Israel.

3) Russia's Sergey Lazarev with Scream 369

Another impressive third place effort, a good song and a good singer with really impressive stage work involving mirrors and showers.

4) Switzerland Luca Hänni "She Got Me" 360

See Italy

5) Norway's Keiino "Spirit in the Sky" 338

Not a top five one for me, I did like Fred Buljo singing in traditional Sami music, good set, nice tune but song was only fine.

6) Sweden's John Lundvik with Too Late for Love 332

Didn't translate for me, the energy or the charisma but was popular in the stadium and he is apparently a big star. Might work better with a relisten

7) Azerbaijan's Chingiz "Truth" 297

I see why they tried with the heart stuff but didn't particular care for it, forgettable for me

8) North Macedonia's Tamara Todevska with Proud 295

Eighth song, finished 8th. Returning singer clearly passionate about this one, had a good theme and she sung it well, feels a fair placing.

9) Australia's Kate Miller-Heidke "Zero Gravity" 285

About right with the placing, quirky, a nice chorus line, the pole routine is impressive if AR perhaps hides the impressive work, good singer but song wasn't memorable.

10) Iceland's Hatari "Hatrið mun sigra/Hatred will prevail" 234

The gimp, the BDSM clothing, their known views on capitalism and Israel's treatment of Palestine (they agreed to obey rules on this till end scares when they showed Palestinian flags), not being pop (techo-rock I believe?). It is certainly well performed, loud, makes an impression, I was not a fan of the lead singers style but that was taste rather then performance

11) Czech Republic's Lake Malawi with Chameleon with Friend of a Friend 157 points

Bit of an 80's vibe with those jumpers and the set, lyrics a tad confusing but a very catchy beat and the knew how to work an audience, was pleasant and tapped my foot to it.

12) Denmark's Leonora with Love is Forever 120

I would have had this higher, Denmark's first multilingual song. Not a classic but felt one of those middle Disney songs that one becomes fond of, the former ice-skater sang well, it had charm and quirk, set designer should have run by the ladder idea with the singer first as she clearly hated it as soon as she had to climb it.

13) Slovenia's Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl with Sebi/Oneself 105

I would have had this in top ten perhaps, a gentle piece, romantic, they sold the idea they cared for each other, wonder if translated lyrics might have helped it.

14) France's Bilal Hassani "Roi" 105

Had good message, well produced with cleverly chosen backup, song wasn't memorable and neither was performance.

15) Cyprus Tamata with Chameleon with Replay 101

No Fuego, a very race outfit when sizzle might have been better left with the singer, ok song but bottom half delivery.

16) Malta's Michela Pace with Chameleon 95

I liked the opening scene by the window, song never really knitted together though I see what she was going for, enthusiastic and clearly meant a lot to her but performance wasn't good (maybe nerves? Got a contract with Sony Italy apparently who should know more then me), would be bottom half for me.

17) Serbia's Nevena Božović "Kruna/Crown" 92

Not great costume, solid song and delivery, nice enough bottom half time.

18) Albania's Jonida Maliqi with Ktheju tokës/Return to your land 90 points

Nice dress, I liked the fiery eagle, decently sung but wonder if lack of red button translated lyrics hamper serious songs like this

19) Estonia's Victor Crone "Storm" 86

Song positioning may not have been to advantage, a nice pleasant song well done and gave me a nice time, good back up singers and decent effects. Got hampered by some odd camera work

20) San Marino's Serhat with Say Na Na Na 81

The country's best placing but it could have been better, Serhat has constructed a catchy song with rhythm, find the right singer and could get people moving in seats, Serhat was not the right person for his own song.

21) Greece Katerine Duska "Better Love" 71

Their worst result when they have got to final and seemed harsh, one of those voices that is distinguish but will divide people, my sister liked and I didn't. Couldn't warm to it but far far worse songs then this one

22) Spain Miki "La venda" 60

Nice tune, great house staging, forgettable song, result a bit harsh.

23) Israel's Kobi Marimi "Home" 47.

Harsh. Extremely harsh. Not a good chorus but he sang it with great passion and well, was a nice mid-table one for me.

24) Germany's S!sters with Sisters 32

Not actually sisters, there was an idea there of sisterly conflict turning into love and fighting together but song didn't knit together and the duo of Carlotta Truman and Laurita Spinelli didn't mesh

25) Belarus Zena "Like it" 31

The youngster certainly had lots of energy but was too similar to Matla's and not as good

26) UK's Michael Rice "Bigger then Us" 16

Rice with a nervy start (lack of semi finals may not have helped), using Sweden reject song created by Lundvik and placed between Norway and Iceland in song order all contributed to a harsh placing. Bottom 5 maybe but no way did Rice deserve bottom. Forgettable song but by all accounts, Rice has been well liked backstage.