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Croatia: Lara feat. LSQ withdraw from Dora 2025| Swingers to replace them!

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A few days ago, HRT, Croatia’s public broadcaster, revealed the list of contestants for Dora 2025, the country’s national selection for Eurovision. However, as happened last year with Baby Lasagna, there has been a withdrawal from the final line-up and a replacement from the reserve list.

In detail, the duo Lara feat. LSQ, who were set to perform the song “Mama” have withdrawn from the competition. According to Dora’s rules, the first reserve act will take their place. Swingers, with the song “Ful Kul” (Full Cool), will now compete for the chance to represent Croatia at Eurovision 2025.

The 24 acts competing in Dora 2025 are:

  • Ananda – “Lies Lay Cold”
  • EoT – “Bye, Bye, Bye”
  • Filomena – “Strong”
  • Irma – “Enigma”
  • IVXN – “Monopoly”
  • Jelena Radan – “SALUT!”
  • Laurakojasong – “NPC”
  • LELEK – “The Soul of my Soul”
  • Luka Nižetić – “Južina”
  • Magazine – “AaAaA”
  • Marin Jurić Čivro – “It Burned”
  • Marko Bošnjak – “Poison Cake”
  • Marko Škugor – “What Should I Ask of God”
  • Marko Tolja – “Through the Dark”
  • Martha May – “Running to the Light”
  • Matt Shaft – “Welcome to the Circus”
  • Natalie Balmix – “LIFE GOES ON”
  • Natally – “Home to My Heart”
  • NIPPLEPEOPLE – “SIGN”
  • Fire – “Give, Give”
  • Petar Brkljačić – “THE END”
  • Supersonic Trio – “Animal”
  • Swingers – “Ful Kul”
  • Teenah – “Aurora”

Dora 2025

Dora 2025 will follow the same format as last year, featuring two semifinals and a Grand Final. In the semifinals, qualifiers will be determined exclusively by public voting. In the Grand Final, the results will be decided 50% by public votes and 50% by two juries – one Croatian and one international.

The two semifinals will air in February, each featuring 12 acts, although the number of qualifiers per semifinal remains unknown. The Grand Final will take place on March 2.

Last year’s winner of Dora and Croatia’s representative in Eurovision 2024, was Baby Lasagna with his song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” who ended up in 2nd place, winning Croatia’s best placement in the Contest:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Croatian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Basel!

Source: eurosong.hr

Croatia: HRT reveals budget plans for 2025 | Return in Junior Eurovision is closer than ever!

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Despite Estonia’s confirmation of non-participation in the upcoming Junior Eurovision Song Contest, another country is close to return after an eleven-year hiatus, Croatia. The country, which has played a significant role in the history of the contest, is now closer than ever to making its comeback, as suggested by the recent budget plans unveiled by the Croatian national broadcaster HRT for 2025.

HRT’s budget plans for 2025

Following the broadcast of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, HRT revealed its budget for the upcoming year. The plans indicated strong support for music entertainment programs, with significant attention given to major events like Eurovision and Dora, Croatia’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. But what caught the eye of many was the addition of a specific fund allocated for Junior Eurovision 2025.

According to the details shared by HRT, the broadcaster has earmarked a budget of 368 thousand euros for Eurovision 2025, 993 thousand euros for Dora 2025, and 78 thousand euros for Junior Eurovision 2025.

While the budget doesn’t specifically state whether the funds are for broadcasting rights or if they will go towards Croatia’s participation in Junior Eurovision 2025, the fact that Junior Eurovision is mentioned in the budget clearly signals an intent to re-engage with the competition. Given the strong interest in the country for both Eurovision and its Junior counterpart, this could be a sign that Croatia is preparing to return to the Junior Eurovision stage for the first time since 2014.

Croatia’s intention to return in 2025

Just before the 22nd Junior Eurovision Song Contest, HRT announced that it will broadcast the children’s contest. Then, Tomislav Štengl, the Head of Croatia’s Eurovision Delegation, shared some exciting news in an interview, revealing the country’s interest in returning to Junior Eurovision, potentially as soon as 2025. According to Štengl, the Croatian broadcaster hopes to send the winner of The Voice Kids Hrvatska to the competition in the following year, provided certain criteria are met.

We would like to return next year. For example, the winner of The Voice Kids Hrvatska could represent us at Junior Eurovision.

He also highlighted that the song chosen for the contest must be an original work, ideally written by a child with the help of adults, emphasizing the importance of creativity in the process.

Croatia’s Junior Eurovision history

Croatia has a rich history in Junior Eurovision, being one of the founding members of the contest back in 2003. The country made an unforgettable debut by winning the inaugural competition with Dino Jelusićk’s “Ti si moja prva ljubav.” However, after a string of less favorable results, Croatia withdrew from the contest in 2007, returning again in 2014. Unfortunately, the return saw a disappointing last-place finish, and Croatia subsequently withdrew once again, citing a decline in public interest.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: ESCPlus

Croatia: Dora 2025 to take place in the second half of February!

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The national final of Croatia for Eurovision Song Contest 2025, will take place in the second half of February, according to the Head of the Croatian delegation.

In detail, Tomislav Štengl, stated in an interview in HRT earlier today, that Dora 2025 will air live, in late February. However, he did not answer, whether the festival will be hosted in Opatija, as it did in previous years, or in Zagreb, as was the case in 2024.

Dora 2025

The submission window is still open, until November 15. After that, and according to the rules, a jury panel will listen and assess the songs submitted, and they will select 24 entries and four reserves, to take part in the national final.

The previous winner of Dora and Croatia’s representative in Eurovision 2024, was Baby Lasagna with his song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” who ended up in second place, after winning the public vote:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Croatian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Basel!

Source: magazin.hrt.hr

Junior Eurovision: Croatia plans to return in 2025!

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After a decade-long hiatus from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Croatia is set to make a significant move. The Croatian broadcaster, HRT, will broadcast the 22nd edition of the contest live on November 16, even though the country will not be participating. This marks an interesting shift, raising the possibility that Croatia may be considering a return to the contest in the near future.

Croatia’s potential return in 2025

Tomislav Štengl, the Head of Croatia’s Eurovision Delegation, shared some exciting news in an interview, revealing the country’s interest in returning to Junior Eurovision, potentially as soon as 2025. According to Štengl, the Croatian broadcaster hopes to send the winner of The Voice Kids Hrvatska to the competition in the following year, provided certain criteria are met.

We would like to return next year. For example, the winner of The Voice Kids Hrvatska could represent us at Junior Eurovision.

He also highlighted that the song chosen for the contest must be an original work, ideally written by a child with the help of adults, emphasizing the importance of creativity in the process.

Croatia’s Junior Eurovision history

Croatia has a rich history in Junior Eurovision, being one of the founding members of the contest back in 2003. The country made an unforgettable debut by winning the inaugural competition with Dino Jelusićk’s “Ti si moja prva ljubav.” However, after a string of less favorable results, Croatia withdrew from the contest in 2007, returning again in 2014. Unfortunately, the return saw a disappointing last-place finish, and Croatia subsequently withdrew once again, citing a decline in public interest.

Despite the setbacks, the recent move by HRT to broadcast the event may signal that Croatia is reevaluating its approach to the contest and could be looking to return in the coming years.

More countries engaging with Junior Eurovision

Croatia is not alone in considering its future involvement in Junior Eurovision. Lithuania and Montenegro, both absent from the competition for several years, have also confirmed that they will broadcast the 2024 edition. Meanwhile, Luxembourg, which has never participated in the event, will air Junior Eurovision for the first time.

This increasing number of non-participating countries choosing to broadcast the contest suggests a growing interest in Junior Eurovision across Europe. These countries may be using the broadcast as a way to gauge public interest and potentially reintroduce their audiences to the format, with an eye toward rejoining the competition in the future.

It’s worth noting that countries like Cyprus and San Marino have also returned to the competition after several years away, indicating a growing interest in the Junior Eurovision format across Europe.

Junior Eurovision 2024

Seventeen countries will take part in the 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest:

  1. Italy: Simone Grande – “Pigiama Party”
  2. Estonia: Annabelle – “Tänavad”
  3. Albania: Nikol Çabeli – “Vallëzoj”
  4. Armenia: Leo – “Cosmic Friend”
  5. Cyprus: Maria Pissarides – “Crystal Waters”
  6. France: Titouan – “Comme ci, comme ça”
  7. North Macedonia: Ana and Aleksej – “Marathon”
  8. Poland: Dominik Arim – “All Together”
  9. Georgia: Andria Putkaradze – “To My Mom”
  10. Spain: Chloe DelaRosa – “Como la Lola”
  11. Germany: Bjarne – “Save the Best For Us”
  12. Netherlands: Stay Tuned – “Music”
  13. San Marino: Idols SM – “Come noi”
  14. Ukraine: Artem Kotenko – “Hear Me Now”
  15. Portugal: Victoria Nicole – “Esperança”
  16. Ireland – Enya Cox Dempsey – “Le Chéile”
  17. Malta: Ramires Sciberras – “Stilla ċkejkna”

The 22nd edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held on November 16 in Madrid, Spain, following the country’s second-place finish last year and the refusal of the winning country, France, to host for the second year in a row. The slogan for this year’s contest is “Let’s Bloom!”, while Ruth Lorenzo, Marc Clotet and Melani Garcia will serve as this year’s hosts.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: HRT

Croatia: Baby Lasagna wins SF1 Eurovision Audience Poll!

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Baby Lasagna came in first place at the Eurovision Audience Poll for Semi-final 1. Baby Lasgna got 37.90% of the audience votes.

With this result Baby Lasagna more than doubled Bambie Thug who came in second place with 16.09% of the audience vote.  Also, we must remind that Baby Lasagna is still the favourite to win Eurovision according to the bets by a wide margin.

Here are all the results of The Eurovision Audience Poll for Semifinal 1:

For the record, the Audience Poll, for the First Semi-Final of Eurovision 2023, achieved eight of last year‘s ten qualifiers.

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a thing of what will happen in Malmö:

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the latest developments regarding the the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, that is held in Malmö!

Croatia: Arena Zagreb is being reserved, regarding a potential Eurovision victory!

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According to Croatian media’s recent reports, the Arena Zagreb no longer accepts reservations from April to May 2025, regarding a potential Eurovision win, as Croatia is once again the favourite of the betting odds to win.

Read more

Italy: Angelina Mango performs “La Noia” live on Croatian television!

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Angelina Mango, the Italian representative in Eurovision 2024, was hosted last night in “Zvijezde pjevaju” on Croatian television. “Zvijezde pjevaju” is the Croatian version of the internationally-known TV show, “Just the Two of Us” and airs on HRT.

You can watch Angelina Mango perform “La Noia”, below:

Italy is one of the hot favorites to win Eurovision 2024 and as a member of the BIG 5 is automatically granted a spot in the Grand Final of May 11.

You can also watch EurovisionFun’s reaction video on “La Noia“, below:

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Croatia: Zagreb ready to host Eurovision 2025!

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Baby Lasagna has managed to bring Croatia back in the limelight and the Croatian fans’ interest in the Eurovision Song Contest has skyrocketed.

Just yesterday, the mayor of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomasevic, was asked on reddit whether Zagreb can host Eurovision.

(Zagreb) is totally ready! The arena is already booked. Fingers crossed for Baby Lasagna to win in Sweden and Zagreb will help HRT with production and organization in every way.

At the same time people are dancing to the rhythm of Rim Tim Tagi Dim in five Croatian cities,. It is now one of the most popular dances and there is no one who has not danced it. The dances are being filmed in order to create an impressive video. As Maja Tokić and Tomislav Štengl (head of the Croatian delegation to Eurovision) pointed out:

We’ve been in all the cities with cameras, in every location, so we’re going to make a fantastic video out of it. Croatia is united again, this time not because of football, this time because of a wonderful boy from Umag and his whole team. We moved into first place and were first for a long time, and now we are second for a long time,

zagreb

Baby Lasagna also appeared on Dutch TV and specifically on Beau van Erven Dorens’ show performing his song.

Croatia will appear in the First Semi-Final of Eurovision 2024 on May 7 in the seventh place.

 

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun!

source: HRT

Croatia: Baby Lasagna will represent the country in Malmö with “RIM TIM TAGI DIM”!

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Tonight it was Croatia’s turn to select its entry for Eurovision 2024. Just a while ago, Dora 2024, the Croatian national selection for Eurovision 2024, was concluded. Dora served for another year as the country’s selection method for Eurovision and was broadcasted live from Zagreb, Croatia.

Hosted by Duško Čurlić, Maja Ciglenečki and Anja Cerar, and following the combination of votes from a four national juries and four international juries (50%) and televoting (50%), Baby Lasagna was crowned as the winner with his song “RIM TIM TAGI DIM“.

Changed to the core, Dora 2024 was 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. From each semi-final, eight acts qualified to the Grand Final chosen exclusively by the Croatian audience. Hence, the following sixteen acts competed tonight for the Croatian representation in Malmö:

  1. Natalie Balmix – Dijamanti
  2. Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin – Vodu piti trizan biti
  3. Lana Mandarić – More
  4. Boris Štok – Can We Talk
  5. Stefany Žužić – Sretnih dana dat’ će Bog
  6. Pavel – TO THE MOON
  7. Saša Lozar – Ne plačem zbog nje
  8. Lara Demarin – Ne vjerujem ti
  9. Let 3 – Baba Roga
  10. Alen Đuras – A Tamburitza Lullaby
  11. eugen – Tišine
  12. Vatra – Slatke suze, gorka ljubav
  13. Damir Kedžo – Voljena ženo
  14. Baby Lasagna – RIM TIM TAGI DIM
  15. MARCELA – Gasoline
  16. Vinko – Lying Eyes

The Grand Final of Dora 2024 – in detail

1. Natalie Balmix – Dijamanti

2. Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin – Vodu piti trizan biti

3. Lana Mandarić – More

4. Boris Štok – Can We Talk

5. Stefany Žužić – Sretnih dana dat’ će Bog

6. Pavel – TO THE MOON

7. Saša Lozar – Ne plačem zbog nje

8. Lara Demarin – Ne vjerujem ti

9. Let 3 – Baba Roga

10. Alen Đuras – A Tamburitza Lullaby

11. eugen – Tišine

12. Vatra – Slatke suze, gorka ljubav

13. Damir Kedžo – Voljena ženo

14. Baby Lasagna – RIM TIM TAGI DIM

15. MARCELA – Gasoline

16. Vinko – Lying Eyes

General comment: Vocal issues were present in almost all of the participants’ performances. I do not think, however, that sound-mixing is something to blame. The artists themselves is were the problem arises.

The voting process

Four national juries (25%) along with four international juries (25%) and the TV audience (50%) decided who would fly the Croatian flag in Malmö.

National juries (25%)

Juries from four regions in Croatia casted their votes:

  • Osijek
  • Rijeka
  • Split
  • Zagreb
International juries (25%)

Juries from four countries casted their votes:

  • Germany
  • Iceland
  • Italy
  • Ukraine

Combining the voting of national and international juries and halfway through the voting process, the results were the following:

Dora 2024 Jury Voting

Dora 2024 Jury Voting

Baby Lasagna was Dora’s juries pick, followed by Vinko and Let 3.

Audience’s vote (50%)
Dora 2024 Results

Dora 2024 Results

Baby Lasagna was public’s pick for Eurovision 2024, followed by Alen Đuras and Let 3.

The winner

Following the combination of the above and with a total of 321 points, Baby Lasagna was crowned as the winner of Dora 2024 and will therefore serve as the country’s representative in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest that will take place in Malmö in May. Croatia is allocated to perform at the first half of the first semi-final on May 7.

Do you agree with Croatia’s choice for Eurovision 2024? Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Croatia: The results of Dora 2024 first semi-final!

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The first 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 first semi-final took place tonight, with the following twelve acts competing for a spot in the Final:

  1. Noelle – Baby, Baby
  2. Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin – Vodu piti trizan biti
  3. Stefany Žužić – Sretnih dana dat’ će Bog
  4. MISHA – One Day
  5. Erna – How Do You Love Me
  6. eugen – Tišine
  7. Vinko – Lying Eyes
  8. Barbara Munjas – Nepobjediva
  9. Let 3 – Baba Roga
  10. Lana Mandarić – More
  11. Pavel – TO THE MOON
  12. Saša Lozar – Ne plačem zbog nje

The first semi-final of Dora 2024 – in detail

1. Noelle – Baby, Baby

The First Semi-Final was opened by Noelle, with a rhythmic song in Croatian. She is accompanied on stage by four female dancers, all dressed in black. Vocal issues are present.

2. Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin – Vodu piti trizan biti 

It’s time for Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin. Another song in Croatian. The presentation is dark, while they are dressed in red. Not the best presentation.

3. Stefany Žužić – Sretnih dana dat’ će Bog 

Stefany, dressed in white, is accompanied by four dancers. A lot of effects and dry ice on stage. She sounds out of rythym.

4. MISHA – One Day 

A bad start vocally-wise for MISHA. The performance reminds of Eurovision. I don’t know if the afore-mentioned is positive, though.

5. Erna – How Do You Love Me 

Erna is solo on stage. Atmospheric setting. Vocally, she also seems to face some sound issues.

6. Eugen – Tišine 

A ballad in Croatian for Eugen. He starts acapella. A dark setting here too. However, he looks quite awkward on stage and he struggles vocally.

7. Vinko – Lying Eyes 

Everything is dark here too. He is on stage accompanied by a girl and a piano. Use of dry ice again.

8. Barbara Munjas – Nepobjediva 

Feels like Konstrakta. However, a parody of Konstrakta, as it looks as a joke entry to a non Croatian.

9. Let 3 – Baba Roga 

Ok, not a fan of Let 3. However, I respect them for bringing a good result for Croatia. What i admire the most, is how they managed to return with a performance weirder than their previous one. I don’t like it. It feels like a circus to me.

10. Lana Mandarić – More 

Something really pleasant, for both ears and eyes, following Let 3. Not the best song nor performance, though.

11. Pavel – TO THE MOON

Feels like ABBA. A little bit dated, but it’s not bad overall.

12. Saša Lozar – Ne plačem zbog nje 

This also feels dated. That’s all.

Following the conclusion of the performances, Slimane, the French representative in Eurovision 2024, took the stage and performed several of his hits along “Mon Amour“.

The results

Following the voting of the public audience exclusively, the following eight acts qualified for the Grand Final of Dora 2024:

  • 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“

The second semi-final of Dora 2024 will take place tomorrow evening, when we will know the eight remaining finalists.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!