Our Best of the Bunch series continues, but this time, we’re crossing over between the two main formats of Eurovision, the Eurovision Song Contest and the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. The concept is simple, we take the Eurovision and Junior Eurovision entries of a certain year and put them up against each other in a poll to find out which is your Best of the Bunch! Our focus will be between 2016 and 2018, so let’s find out who you think is the Best of the Bunch!
2016
Eurovision:
We are starting our Best of the Bunch journey on a high, as most fans will know, Jamala won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016. If you didn’t already know that, well, spoiler alert! Her song was 1944, an emotional track that won neither the jury or televote, but came through with a strong combined score to take out the trophy. The song finished with a total of 534 points.
Junior Eurovision:
Coming off some strong results a few years prior, Ukraine was beginning to slip back to mid table results. The year prior, the nation finished just outside the Top 10, but the quest for success continued. Representing Ukraine in 2016 was Sofia Rol with the song, Planet Craves for Love. The performance featured a creative use of umbrellas, and although it was a confident performance, Ukraine finished in 14th place with 30 points.
Which is your Best of the Bunch? Vote below!
2017
Eurovision:
On home soil, the rock group O.Torvald represented Ukraine with the song Time. It wasn’t the favourite to win the national final, but nonetheless it went on to represent the nation, and because they were the host nation, the group did not have to compete in the semi-finals at Eurovision. It was probably lucky they automatically qualified, because they finished in a disappointing 24th place in the final.
Junior Eurovision:
The following year, Anastasiya Baginska was selected to represent Ukraine with the song Don’t Stop. Like many of the previous Ukrainian entries, the song featured both Ukrainian and English. It was another confident performance, and the stage show featured some unique props! The song finished in 7th place with 147 points. Ukraine entered back into the Top 10, with their previous Top 10 entry back in 2014.
Which is your Best of the Bunch? Vote below!
2018
Eurovision:
A national selection was once again used to select the Ukrainian entrant, and after trying to represent Ukraine the year prior, Mélovin was back to try his luck again. With the song Under the Ladder, he managed to win the opportunity to represent Ukraine at Eurovision. In true Ukrainian form, some extensive props were used in the stage performance, and although it was impressive, the song finished in 17th place in the final.
Junior Eurovision:
Ukraine held an online national selection to choose their Junior Eurovision entrant, and it was Darina Krasnovetska who was selected to represent the nation with the song Say Love. It was a hit with fans, and with some strong vocals, it was set for another Top 10 result for Ukraine. After a strong performance, Ukraine not only finished in the Top 10, but reached the Top 5, finishing in 4th place with 182 points.
Which is your Best of the Bunch? Vote below!