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:
- Noelle – Baby, Baby
- Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin – Vodu piti trizan biti
- Stefany Žužić – Sretnih dana dat’ će Bog
- MISHA – One Day
- Erna – How Do You Love Me
- eugen – Tišine
- Vinko – Lying Eyes
- Barbara Munjas – Nepobjediva
- Let 3 – Baba Roga
- Lana Mandarić – More
- Pavel – TO THE MOON
- 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!
