The second semi-final of Dora, the Croatian national selection for Eurovision 2024, was just concluded. Dora remained for another year as the country’s national selection format, but it also saw the biggest changes in years.
Changed to the core, Dora 2024 is the first edition in thirteen years to feature semi-finals. A record of 203 entries were submitted to the Croatian broadcaster, out of which twenty-four were advanced to the semi-finals’ stage.
In total, two semi-finals of twelve will take place, while eight acts from each semi-final will advance to the Grand Final, scheduled for February 25.
Hosted by Duško Čurlić, Maja Ciglenečki and Anja Cerar, the second semi-final took place tonight, with the following twelve acts competing for a spot in the Final:
- Lu Dedić – Plavi leptir
- James Night – NEBO PLAČE
- Lara Demarin – Ne vjerujem ti
- Alen Đuras – A Tamburitza Lullaby
- The Splitters – Od kad te sanjam
- Boris Štok – Can We Talk
- Baby Lasagna – RIM TIM TAGI DIM
- ET – Pametnom dosta
- Vatra – Slatke suze, gorka ljubav
- Damir Kedžo – Voljena ženo
- Natalie Balmix – Dijamanti
- MARCELA – Gasoline
The second semi-final of Dora 2024 – in detail
1. Lu Dedić – Plavi leptir
Lu is the first one to take the stage today. Her song is in Croatian. Although, I liked the water-themed inspiration, the overall performance was quite flat.
2. James Night – NEBO PLAČE
Not a bad performance. Energetic, but in equal terms chaotic.
3. Lara Demarin – Ne vjerujem ti
It was not necessarily bad. Far more interesting than anything I have seen at Dora so far. While it feels modern, it also sounds somehow dated. The performance was good and her attitude was on point, regardless I could not understand a single word.
4. Alen Đuras – A Tamburitza Lullaby
A greek sound for Croatia? Interesting. A solid performance -for the Dora standards- overall.\
5. The Splitters – Od kad te sanjam
In Eurovision, it would finish dead last in the semi-final. I think this concludes everything.
6. Boris Štok – Can We Talk
While, Boris seems like a great singer, the song is below his own standards. It is not necessarily bad, however.
7. Baby Lasagna – RIM TIM TAGI DIM
The big favorite of Dora 2024 is on stage. Baby Lasagna got us all wondering how he was not initially selected as a Dora participant. The performance was quite interesting. However, it needs to be massively elevated for the Eurovision stage. By far, the best we have seen this year in Dora.
8. ET – Pametnom dosta
Not sure how to feel for it. It was entertaining, at least.
9. Vatra – Slatke suze, gorka ljubav
A solid performance, yet an outdated song.
10. Damir Kedžo – Voljena ženo
I never liked any of his entries in Dora. However, I have to admit, he is undoubtedly a vocal powerhouse. I don’t think he has any chance in Eurovision, but I would be happy if I saw him win Dora.
11. Natalie Balmix – Dijamanti
Shiny. Like really shiny. Was not convinced of her performance. Vocally, not really good either. Especially in the song’s finale.
12. MARCELA – Gasoline
Fiery. Her outfit choice was not quite there. Not a fan of the song either.
Following the conclusion of the participants’ performances, Raiven, the Slovenian representative in Eurovision 2024, took the stage. Raiven performed some of her songs, including her Eurovision entry “Veronika”.
The results
Following the voting of the public audience exclusively, the following eight acts qualified for the Grand Final of Dora 2024:
- Alen Đuras – “A Tamburitza Lullaby“
- Natalie Balmix – “Dijamanti“
- Vatra – “Slatke suze, gorka ljubav“
- Damir Kedžo – “Voljena ženo“
- Lara Demarin – “Ne vjerujem ti“
- Baby Lasagna – “RIM TIM TAGI DIM“
- MARCELA – “Gasoline“
- Boris Štok – “Can We Talk“
Dora’s final line-up is now concluded and the following sixteen acts will compete for the Croatian representation in Malmö.
from semi-final one
- Pavel – “TO THE MOON“
- Vinko – “Lying Eyes“
- eugen – “Tišine”
- Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin – “Vodu piti trizan biti“
- Stefany Žužić – “Sretnih dana dat’ će Bog“
- Saša Lozar – “Ne plačem zbog nje“
- Let 3 – “Baba Roga“
- Lana Mandarić – “More“
from semi-final two
- Alen Đuras – “A Tamburitza Lullaby“
- Natalie Balmix – “Dijamanti“
- Vatra – “Slatke suze, gorka ljubav“
- Damir Kedžo – “Voljena ženo“
- Lara Demarin – “Ne vjerujem ti“
- Baby Lasagna – “RIM TIM TAGI DIM“
- MARCELA – “Gasoline“
- Boris Štok – “Can We Talk“
The Final of Dora 2024 will take place this Sunday, February 25. The winner will be decided by national and international juries (50%) and the Croatian audience (50%).
Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!