Semi Final Two: FYR Macedonia and Portugal

This is yet another offering from the average tree, but even the most cynical of Eurovision fans (yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but humour me) are questioning whether Skopje's run of luck will run dry this year. We Eurovision fans have opinions on issues of such vital importance.

This - unfortunately - is one of the more obvious examples of neighbourly nations having more impact on the result than the performance from the people on stage.

According to rehearsal reports, Adrian and his chums have erected a temporary set of doors on the Belgrade stage (let's hope they sought the appropriate planning permission beforehand) which they walk through before singing the song.

Such imagination deserves the highest reward, but the FYRs have so many good contacts when it comes to this Contest, even if they didn't bother to turn up on Thursday night, they'd still be there on Saturday.

Boom or Bang?: Highly unlikely not to qualify.

Portugal: Vania Fernandes - Senhora Do Mar

When Finland finally claimed Eurovision gold in 2006, it left Portugal as the only old school Contest-entering nation without a single solitary victory.

Their 1964 debut scored zero, while the best the Lisbon faithful have ever done remains their sixth place finish in 1996 (ANORAK MOMENT: And that song was performed by singer/actress Lucia Moniz - better known to cinemagoers as the Portuguese waitress Colin Firth's character goes gooey over in Love Actually).

But let's leave the past behind and get back to 2008. Although Boom Bang a Blog finds this song incredibly unremarkable, it's much fancied to get Portugal's best ever result.

Vania has absolutely no problems in the singing department. Those tip-tapping away patiently on their laptops at the Belgrade Arena rehearsals are also saying her live performance sees pitch perfect notes bouncing effortlessly off every wall.

It's a good job she's keeping this in her native tongue as well. Boom Bang a Blog is no expert on the Portuguese language, but this song appears to be a lament for someone lost at sea. During the live performance, images of waving seaweed will be projected on to the back wall of the stage.

How cheerful.

Boom or Bang?: Portugal's most impressive finish ever?

There, that's the second semi-final sorted (although, in reality, when the millions watching the show on Thursday night (UK viewers can catch it on BBC Three), ring up and vote in order for the scores to be collated to determine which 10 songs progress to Eurovision proper, only then will it be truly sorted).

If you want to have a pop at predicting which 10 are going to get a shot at the 2008 trophy, please feel free to leave your predictions in the Comments section of Boom Bang a Blog.

Ta.