Andrew Lambrou is voicing his support for Eden Golan’s Hurricane!

Andrew Lambrou, representative of Cyprus in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest, expresses his support and admiration for Eden Golan’s Hurricane, Israel’s Eurovision 2024 entry. In a message he sent to Eden, he mentions that he has had an obsession with Hurricane, while Eden Golan tells him that she has missed him a lot.

In the two days or so of Hurricane’s release, the videoclip has exceeded 2 million views (on the Eurovision, Eden and KAN channels), won the first place on the Israeli spotify charts, while on the Eurovision Instagram account it has the most views behind only the Netherlands’ Europapa.

Watch Hurricane’s first live performance and then our reaction video:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Sweden: The Eurovision facilities in Malmö are being vandalised!

There is no doubt that the protracted turmoil in the Middle East has had an impact on the Eurovision Song Contest this year in a number of ways. A few examples are the arguments regarding Israel’s participation and the Palestinian-born Bashar Murad’s involvement at the Icelandic national final.

Reactions keep coming in, this time in the contest’s host city .Specifically, one of the billboards advertising Eurovision 2024 that are erected throughout Malmö has been vandalised. In particular, the contest’s slogan, “United by Music”, was written on the sign after it had been covered in red paint, seemingly as a mockery at the EBU’s decision to allow Israel compete. He etched the words “Free Gaza” at the end. The political nature of this year’s competition is practically reinforced by the aforementioned.

In spite of the reactions, Israel participates in the competition with Eden Golan‘s “Hurricane”, which addresses the events of October of last year.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the Eurovision 2024 updates!


Source: Aftonbladet

Israel: Eden Golan sings “Hurricane” live!

Shortly before the end of the KAN broadcast for the presentation of the video clip of Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024, Eden Golan sang live and acapella, a small part of Hurricane, proving once again her vocal capabilities.

Eden Golan will represent Israel at Eurovision 2024 with the song Hurricane. Israel participates in the second half of the second semi-final.

Stay tuned to Eurovisiofun for all the updates!

Source: uval1

Israel: Listen to “Hurricane” by Eden Golan for Eurovision 2024!

After submitting two songs recorded by Eden Golan, both of which were rejected by the EBU regarding their lyrics, KAN, the Israeli public brodcaster decided to change the lyrics of their initial choice, “October Rain”, and re-submit it for Eurovision 2024! Read more

Israel: The lyrics of “Hurricane” by Eden Golan!

The new lyrics for Israel’s Eurovision entry has been revealed. “October Rain” has been replaced and the new song, called “Hurricane,” has received the coveted approval, Israel can now reveal the lyrics that Eden Golan will perform on the big stage in Sweden.

Much of the song is identical to its original version except for changes that allude to the war and the mood of the country. The most significant change is in the Hebrew lyrics that come at the end of the song.

The new words in Hebrew read the following: “No need for big words, only prayers, even if it’s hard to see you always leave me one small light.”

The original text, on the other hand, dealt with the fallen, the murdered, and the situation in the country: “There’s no air left to breathe, no place, no me, from day to day, they’re all good kids, each one of them .”

There are also changes to the English part. The opening words of the song, which in its original version focused on “the writers of history,” but in the current version address just players of an orchestra.

Another change is replacing the word “flowers,” which implies war casualties; was replaced with “powers”. As expected, the phrase “October Rain,” which recurred several times, was completely omitted from the text.

Contrary to the text, it should be noted that the melody remained unchanged. It’s a powerful, emotional, and beautiful ballad that will be revealed tonight in its full musical format.

Here are the English lyrics of the song:

____ symphony, playing with me,
Look into my eyes and see
People walk away but never say goodbye
Someone stole the moon tonight,
Took my light,
Everything is black and white
Who’s the fool who told you boys don’t cry?
Hours and hours and powers
Life is no game but it’s happen
While the time goes by…
Every day i’m losing my mind
Holding on in this mysterious ride
Dancing in the storm, i got nothing to hide
Take it out and leave the world behind
Baby, promise me you hold me again
I’m still taken from this hurricane,
This hurricane

The video clip of the song will be revealed tonight at 22.00 cet.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: Israel Hayom

Bets: The odds after the completion of the national finals!

A few hours have passed since the conclusion of the national finals of this year’s Eurovision season, with Sweden and Portugal being the last two countries to choose the song that will represent them in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.

That’s why one of Eurovisionfun ‘s most loved and talked about columns is back, with our Eurovision 2024 betting analyses back again.

As you prepare for the pivotal next few days with the unveiling of the remaining entries ahead of May, bookers are already getting down to business, with the Eurovision 2024 winner section already being offered to some bookmakers. So, we’re taking the opportunity to bring you the so far for the next competition.

Croatia tops the list – Shuffles in the top five

The situation at the top remains unchanged, with Croatia having been in first place for ten days now. Baby Lasagna ‘s sweeping victory at Dora has put Croatia in the top spot in the betting tables for the first time in their history. Croatia’ s victory is currently being bet at odds between 4 and 5.25, odds slightly higher compared to those played when our last analysis was written.

Ukraine remains in second place. Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil may have fallen from the top spot, however, their distance from leading Croatia is very small, with Ukraine’s fourth win in the Eurovision Song Contest being bet at odds between 4.33 and 5.6.

Italy has moved back up to third place. More or less at the same level are the odds of Angelina Mango winning with “La Noia” , returning between 7.5 and 10 times the stake of anyone who believes in the second Italian victory in the last four years.

And now let’s go to the countries that complete the top five, where we have two entries that have risen significantly in recent days. Fourth is now Switzerland after the release of Nemo ‘s “The Code“, which has moved up six places compared to our last analysis, now directly threatening third place Italy. Switzerland ‘s victory is being bet at odds between 6 and 10 and it is only a matter of hours – it seems – to move into third place.

The top five is completed by the Netherlands, with Joost Klein ‘s “Europapa” having won the impressions and hearts of a large part of the public. The Western European country’s entry is the biggest winner of the last few days, being 20 places higher than in our analysis ten days ago. Between 11 and 15 is the Dutch victory in Malmö.

Top 10

Belgium is in sixth place. The release of Mustii ‘s “Before the Party’s Over” a few days ago seems to have initially excited the betting companies, who now have the Western European country out of the Top 5 a few days after its release. Belgium ‘s victory is being bet at odds between 11 and 17, being only slightly higher than those of the leading Netherlands.

Sweden dropped to seventh place, a few hours after the grand final of this year’s edition of Melodifestivalen where Marcus & Martinus won with “Unforgettable“. Sweden ‘s home win is offered at odds between 11 and 19, marking a slight rise compared to our last analysis and dropping this year’s organisers by one place.

Eighth place is taken by France, who have been trending upwards in recent days, especially after Slimane ‘s performance in the Croatian national final a week ago. Up to 21 times the stake is returned on “Mon Amour“.

In ninth place is now Georgia. Just one day before the release of Nutsa Buzaladze ‘s “Firefighter“, the Caucasian country has moved into the top ten, dropping its odds sharply in recent times and, at the same time, creating a climate of anticipation and expectations for the unveiling of this year’s Georgian entry. Georgia’s victory is being played at odds between 15 and 26.

Rounding out the top ten is Israel, who return to the top ten just hours before the release of “Hurricane“, which Eden Golan will compete with in Malmö. Like leading Georgia, Israel’s win returns up to 26 times the stakes.

Do you think Baby Lasagna will be able to give Croatia its maiden victory as an independent country in the Eurovision Song Contest? Tell us in the comments!

Israel: Increased security measures will be implemented for Malmö!

Regardless the protests all around Europe calling out Israel’s exclusion from Eurovision 2024 following the war in Gaza Strip and the fear of its entry disqualification due to political overtones, the Middle Eastern country will be present in Malmö as usual.

However, Israel’s participation in Malmö will be different from previous years, and additional security measures will be implemented to ensure the delegation’s safety.

The measures taken

According to euromix.il, the Israeli delegation will be accompanied to Malmö by dozens of security guards in accordance with the safety measures indicated by the Ministries and the General Security Service. It is expected that each member of the delegation will be accompanied by a security guard. As a result, Israel’s delegation this year will be larger than ever before, increasing the country’s participation costs. Moreover, Sweden’s law enforcement will assist Israel, ensuring its members’ safety.

Considering that Malmö is an openly pro-Palestinian city, having a large Muslim immigrant population and in fear of protests, Israel’s public appearances will be restricted to the bear minimum. Eden Golan, Israel’s representative in Eurovision 2024, will not be present at this year’s opening ceremony and will not attend any pre-parties. Security is not the only reason that will keep Israel away from the Opening Ceremony, as it is scheduled on the same day with Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Israeli delegation also fears of the negative response of the audience. Palestinian flags and booing from the audience are a certain possibility, although controversial symbols are strongly prohibited inside the arena by the organizers. As Avi Zeikner, editor of euromix.il, mentions:

Apart from security dangers, it really wouldn’t surprise me if they heard boos when Israel was mentioned or when Aden took the stage. It could be a very unpleasant moment It happened in the past with Russia, and it’s definitely a possibility.

However:

There will be many requests for interviews. Even those who are now threatening to boycott us will want to come to Israel’s press conferences and ask questions about the war.

Everything will be different for Israel this year but the Middle-Eastern country is willing to take the risk.

Not the first time

It is not the first time that Israel is concerned about its delegation’s safety. Since its first appearance on the Eurovision stage in 1973, the security measures have always been strict. Indicatively, the last time the contest was held in Malmö, in 2013, the Israeli delegation was accompanied by security guards and local police forces. Sweden was not the only country to cause uncertainty for Israel. In 2012, when the contest was held in Azerbaijan and in fear of Iranian attacks, the delegation was restricted and Izbo, the country’s participants, were smuggled through side entrances and exits.

Eden Golan will serve as the country’s representative in Malmö. Her song “Hurricane” seems to have been approved by the EBU and will be released on March 10th. Israel will perform at the second half of the second semi-final.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: euromix.il

Israel: Eden Golan’s reaction to the approval of her participation by the EBU!

Just yesterday the EBU solemnly confirmed that Israel will be present at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, with the song Hurricane by Eden Golan. The reference group of the competition approved the lyrics of the song, signed by Keren Pels, Avi Ohion and Stav Begar. Eden Golan heard the news over the phone and her reaction was, as expected, enthusiastic, making an appointment with everyone in Malmö. Read more

Israel: EBU approves “Hurricane” | Eden Golan will normally compete in Eurovision 2024!

In an official announcement, the Israeli public television (KAN) informs us that Eden Golan’s new song entitled Hurricane has been approved by the EBU and therefore it is now official that it will compete normally in Eurovision 2024!

The song will be announced in a special show on Sunday, March 10 at 21.30 Greek time. Hurricane is signed by Keren Pels, Avi Ohion and Stav Begar and has the same melody as October Rain, which was rejected by the EBU, considering it to have political lyrics, since it referred to the events of the terrorist attack by Hamas last October in southern Israel.

While KAN initially stated that it did not intend to change the lyrics of the song and would therefore withdraw from the competition, the intervention of the country’s president seemed to be the catalyst. Isaac Hertzog urged KAN to make the necessary changes to the lyrics of the song, so that Israel would not miss out on this important international event, thus giving joy to the country’s opponents, who wish for its international isolation.

We await with interest the announcement of the Israeli participation.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: KAN

Belgian Minister of Culture and Media Calls for Israel’s Exclusion from Eurovision Contest

In a plenary session of the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, Bénédicte Linard, Vice-President of the Ecolo party and Minister of Culture and Media, expressed her views on Wednesday regarding Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. She was questioned by Alice Bernard, the leader of the PTB group, who advocated for Israel’s exclusion from the contest due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Bernard asked the minister about the actions she could take to mobilize against Israel’s participation in Eurovision.

In response, Bénédicte Linard highlighted the intolerable events in Gaza, where dozens of children, women, and men are dying every day, and famine is looming. Drawing a parallel with Russia’s exclusion from sporting events and Eurovision after the invasion of Ukraine, Linard stated that it is unacceptable for Israel to participate in Eurovision in May in Malmö, Sweden. She personally believes that Israel should be excluded from Eurovision until it ceases its flagrant violations of international law in Gaza. Linard intends to write to RTBF, Belgium’s national broadcaster, urging them to support this position within the European Broadcasting Union.

However, it remains unclear whether Linard’s position is supported by the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Minister-President Pierre-Yves Jeholet declined to comment, stating that it is Linard’s personal opinion.

Within the European Broadcasting Union, both RTBF and VRT represent Belgium. Benjamin Dalle, the Flemish Minister responsible for VRT, shared his perspective, expressing support for suspending Israel’s participation in Eurovision as long as civilian casualties continue to mount. Dalle believes that Israel’s presence at a culturally significant event like Eurovision is incompatible with the ongoing conflict.

As of now, RTBF has not issued a response, awaiting official communication from Minister Linard. Additionally, decisions regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision are not solely in Belgium’s hands but involve considerations from other member states within the European Broadcasting Union.

Belgium will be represented in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest by Musti with the song “Before The Party’s Over”,

Source: RTBF