It’s the time of year when the Post-Eurovision depression is in full swing, but there’s no better cure than to reminisce! Together with ESCDaily Editor, Dennis Van Eersel, we will be discussing each of this year’s competing nations – from their results to how we think they could improve in the future!
Finland
Predictions, Personal Scores and Results
Anita:
Prediction: Qualifier
Dennis:
Prediction: Top 10
Results: 6th, Final
Did Finland live up to expectations?
D: Yes, they really did. It’s good to see Finland coming up with their favourite and most successful music genre again. In the semi final there was never any doubt they would qualify, and despite Italy being in the final as well, both songs did amazing in the televote. A top 10 finish was always on the cards for Finland this year, and they lived up to those expectations.
A: I would say, they exceeded my expectations. Finland was a clear qualifier, however I personally did not have them as a Top 10 finisher. I guess I underestimated the appeal, and I think the reason why I underestimated the song was due to the results of AWS in 2018. I guess the differences between the songs were more significant, and Blind Channel had a broader appeal.
How do you personally feel about the song for Finland at Eurovision 2021?
D: I used to listen to Linkin Park a lot when I was younger and the Finnish act for 2021 made me think about that music style a lot. I think their target audience was a bit younger than the Italian group Måneskin had, which is why they both did well in the televote. Either way, I always appreciate genuine rock songs at Eurovision, and Blind Channel ticked the right boxes for me.
A: I always thought the song was good, but it didn’t have that same nostalgia that it did for Dennis. I enjoyed the song during the contest period, but haven’t listened to it since. If we look at Finnish rock entries at Eurovision, I would still say I prefer Softengine
Could Finland have done anything different?
D: At the Finnish final I was not totally convinced with the vocals yet, but they fixed this for me in Rotterdam, keeping the impactful presentation, jumping, camera shots and pyro. I don’t think they could have presented this entry in a better way than they did.
A: I genuinely don’t think Finland needed to do anything different this year. Everything was well calculated, but still came across as edgy. The pyro was incredible, and the visuals did everything we needed them to do. This was a strong effort from Finland, and it paid off.
What can Finland do to ensure success in future years?
A: Finland was in a bit of a slump in recent years, and I’m glad they’ve had this result now. I hope it acts as a spark, and a demonstration that authentic music will do well. I feel like they didn’t try to conform to a traditional idea of Eurovision, and it was rewarded.
D: With Lordi, Softengine and Blind Channel as the only really successful entries in the last 20 years, it’s safe to say that we can all see where the strength of Finland is. They know how to rock the stage and film it for a wide audience to enjoy. Of course it would be great to see them outdo themselves in another genre as well someday, but Finnish success seems to be most possible for them in the rock genre. I wouldn’t mind if they stick to that formula.
A: I think with rock being a lesser performed genre at Eurovision, Finland can stand out when they enter a rock song. Not to say that they qualify only because they are rock, because the entries you listed above are genuinely great songs. That being said I don’t want to always see Finland sending rock songs.
D: I understand that, but I rather see them sending in a quality rock song, than something terrible in another genre, which Finland has done in recent years as well (sorry Sandhja).
Which was better, the live-on-tape performance or the actual performance?
D: I think the back-up tape would also have given Finland a great result and dito televote. They taped it soon after winning the national final on that stage. And the performance in Rotterdam was also close to what they had in their NF. I favor the performance in Ahoy over the live-on-tape performance though, because of the reaction of the crowd, which is always huge with these kinds of songs. And the big pyro at the end of the song also wasn’t there yet in the back-up tape.
A: The performances were practically the same, and as Dennis said, if the back-up tape needed to be used, it wouldn’t have cost Finland a strong result. Having the crowd in Ahoy certainly amplified the energy, and I agree that the live performance was better for that reason.