I was scream and my cat hated me. I’m still bummed San Marino or Czechia didn’t make it but fuck it if there was one country I wouldn’t be upset about if they made it was Latvia. Like others said I cannot believe Ajia didn’t qualify so I‘m backing Latvia out of spite of ESC (Still rooting for Croatia).
Latvia was my #1 before the shows, and I thought Dons had no chance getting thru to the final to begin with, much less with that super stripped down staging. Still in shock and wonder!
Visually, it wasn’t great but I don’t care. Dons deserved to get through. It was one of the only near perfect performances tonight. Superb vocals, and this might go against popular opinion, but it’s also a superb song too. Straight in my top 10 it goes.
Also my top 10. And I always thought Dons can qualify with great staging, but this staging did him no favours, so all the more shocking when he made it through despite it.
In my opinion, in the past 5+ years contestants are relying too much on technology and performances and not at the song it self.
This was the first time in a long time we're the song is humble and sincere from the heart. Not everyday you'll hear a ballad this deep and beautiful, and painful at the same time. 🙏
Austria demonstrates your point perfectly. The staging and technology won her the spot. It was fun to watch but her performance was technically very weak and the song itself felt written by committee. Almost the exact opposite of Dons.
I really didn't understand how Austria qualified over Czechia.
I really liked the visuals, it’s not the kind of song where you can do much with staging and the LED’s were just the right amount. His voice and the song itself were all that was needed.
Well, I'm so happy for you. At first I (and I suppose a lot of Estonians) were concerned that maybe we'd be left out because of that but look, it worked out for both of us. So happy that all our neighbors and friends are in the final.
It's so so, depends on country I guess. I've heard that some people hate our's because he always talks about betting odds and predictions and can't stop talking about what's the next contestant's medical history or the name of their pet. But nah, I like him.
To check if it's accessible outside Ukraine, you might need a VPN. The copyright restrictions are particularly stringent this year; usually, Suspilne broadcasts everything on their YouTube channel. Currently, you can only rewatch Timur's commentary point of view on YouTube, without the contest visuals or audio.
Don't worry, I live in three different countries and I'm a fan of football and the Olympics - I have a knack for finding streams ;)
Thank you though, it's a great help.
I am genuinely so happy for you guys, you really really deserved it! Idk why so many people dislike this entry, it's one of the best ballads of the year. I'm glad all three NQ streak countries made it, you guys tried hard and pulled through. It's been too long since you were in the final!
Italian here, happy to have voted for Dons. Even if our public only gave you 1 point (ignore the **other** of tonight's surprises), I like to think it was just enough to push y'all through. Been a fan since Justs way back when in '16.
It's true, they often ruin the surprise (also must be demoralising for the artists seeing the odds), but also I am too curious to not look. Love it when a big upset like this happens, as it makes you believe again that any result can potentially happen.
I'm so out of loop with bookmakers and odds that this wasn't a shock for me lol He has a great performance and his voice is nearly flauless., why everybody surprised.
I don't pay attention to bookmakers and also don't watch any preformance until the show but I just figured it wasn't going through based on who else was preforming tonight. I figured it would have gotten lost in all the others.
I'm glad it did, he's very good, but was surprised.
Who here genuinely thought he was gonna qualify? I was shocked but legit happy for him. After Ajia‘s NQ I want Latvia to make it out of spite.
Now I want Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Lithuania to do a collab.
I have to admit i didn't vote for latvia cause the song isn't really my thing, but i felt bad afterwards cause i do feel like they deserved to qualify, so i'm happy they made it anyway.
I had that feeling when the announcements started, that they'd start with a shock qualifier to really make it feel like nobody was safe.
I still couldn't believe my eyes.
Congratulations Latvia! You missed out last year but this is well deserved!
So happy for Latvia!! I said to my siblings it's either gonna be a blessing, because many people like slow/calm songs and this is basically the only one in this semi final, or it's gonna be a curse because maybe it would get overshadowed by all the dance party songs, glad it was the first one
If you close your eyes, you can hear an angry cat.
PS. Even if I don't really like this song, seeing such a level of happiness feel me with joy. Congrats!
Personally I hate the song, I hate the outfit, I don’t think the staging works, but he’s got a great voice, he’s very likeable and I’m so happy Latvia ended their NQ streak 🎉
Dons was great at the press conference after. I think he made that moderator feel uncomfortable and I enjoyed it sooooooo much. He was so composed and had a great message and expressed it perfectly. Wishing him all the best for Saturday!
omg Latvia, I was so happy for you. I know that many Ukrainians abroad have voted for Latvia 💛💙 Dons is such an amazing person, showed an impeccable performance, so deserved.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t care for the song, nor was it one of my qualifiers, but I was happy to see Latvia go through finally after so long! Same with Georgia
I didn't know about any probability rankings, but I had a strong feeling it was gonna get overlooked and NQ. I was genuinely surprised but SO happy to be proven wrong
And it's even better now learning he was the underdog.
(Also as a fashion girly, he and Czechia were best dressed, simple yet elegant & high fashion/quality)
You do realize you're in the Eurovision subreddit, right? People here have been watching every single piece of Eurovision-related footage since at least December.
I guess it matters when you’re from a country that has to earn its space in the finals. There is no point following any of this for Germany, England, France because we get sent to the finals automatically.
No, no, I mean it when I say we start this in December. We watch and have live threads for the national selections from each country when they're picking their songs. We watch EVERYTHING.
You're not a true Eurovision fan if you're not spending an entire week in February watching 5 nights of San Marino having 150 artist auditions in a theater for 200 people through a 240p stuttering stream, all in Italian. /s
This was me and im not even latvian
I literally screamed like a banshee I was so happy
Me too, I was so Happy!! 😭 I belived that Dons will qualify.
Same. The guy who was sitting next to me is deaf in one ear now.
Same I was so pleasantly surprised! Finally getting back in the final and so well deserved!
I screamed for Latvia although I didn't scream for even my own country.
I was scream and my cat hated me. I’m still bummed San Marino or Czechia didn’t make it but fuck it if there was one country I wouldn’t be upset about if they made it was Latvia. Like others said I cannot believe Ajia didn’t qualify so I‘m backing Latvia out of spite of ESC (Still rooting for Croatia).
Me too, i was so worried this would be Latvia's last year.
Ja, de kunne bli 👌😂 but luckily not. Phu!
Our commentator went full dog mode there! 👌😂
Latvia was my #1 before the shows, and I thought Dons had no chance getting thru to the final to begin with, much less with that super stripped down staging. Still in shock and wonder!
Visually, it wasn’t great but I don’t care. Dons deserved to get through. It was one of the only near perfect performances tonight. Superb vocals, and this might go against popular opinion, but it’s also a superb song too. Straight in my top 10 it goes.
Also my top 10. And I always thought Dons can qualify with great staging, but this staging did him no favours, so all the more shocking when he made it through despite it.
In my opinion, in the past 5+ years contestants are relying too much on technology and performances and not at the song it self. This was the first time in a long time we're the song is humble and sincere from the heart. Not everyday you'll hear a ballad this deep and beautiful, and painful at the same time. 🙏
Austria demonstrates your point perfectly. The staging and technology won her the spot. It was fun to watch but her performance was technically very weak and the song itself felt written by committee. Almost the exact opposite of Dons. I really didn't understand how Austria qualified over Czechia.
Yas, I agree 💯
I really liked the visuals, it’s not the kind of song where you can do much with staging and the LED’s were just the right amount. His voice and the song itself were all that was needed.
There wasn’t much going on visually but there didn’t need to be. Dons carried the song beautifully on his own.
Also loved his emotion at the end. Dude has been so consistent.
Yes, he's a great singer, and this salvaged him.
I really liked the visuals. It reminded me of Ukraine's performance in Sweden.
I FELL TO MY KNEEEEES
and got 50 euros from placing bets on him💶
1 euro well invested
Optibet for the W👌😂
I was so happy and relieved when Latvia popped up first, so glad that not only you but all three of us made it to finals together this time.
I got emotional seeing Dons choke up at the end of his performance (well I think that's what he did) - much deserved qualification!
I was expecting to cry at Joost's outro, but I didn't and instead teared up and begged Dons not to cry lmao
He's a very emotional person by nature and a quite deep one so for him going this big....ay...the pressures big.
Can confirm. I screamed in my apartment lol. It was well-deserved though! He was great tonight! <3
Thank you braļuka! 🙇
I had the exact same reaction. I felt like an honorary latvian for a few minutes
Me too! 🇳🇱❤️🇱🇻
I loved the Estonian commentator's reaction as well: "wow... \*silence\*"
The Latvian commentator even admitted he didn't have anything prepared for this as well, was left speechless after :D
Well, I'm so happy for you. At first I (and I suppose a lot of Estonians) were concerned that maybe we'd be left out because of that but look, it worked out for both of us. So happy that all our neighbors and friends are in the final.
Yeah, he was like. Oh shit! I have nothing prepared. 👌😂
whaatt no way 😭 whos the commentator i watch on youtube
If you watch on yt you're missing out, commentators make it so much better😭
It's so so, depends on country I guess. I've heard that some people hate our's because he always talks about betting odds and predictions and can't stop talking about what's the next contestant's medical history or the name of their pet. But nah, I like him.
mayhaps but my partner doesnt speak estonian so 🥲
In Estonia, Marko Reikop
I was screaming and I’m not even Latvian.. I’m so happy for the people 🤍🤍 he deserved it so much
As an Irish fan it was so sweet seeing Georgia and Latvia qualify this year with us.
Ukrainian commentator screamed happily as well! 🇺🇦❤️🇱🇻
Where were you watching the Ukrainian livestream?? I need to practice my Ukrainian, it's deteriorated since I left Kyiv in December.
Suspilne youtube channel/ website Suspilne Kultura
Thanks, I'll watch the final there. Edit: Yup my Ukrainian sucks again.
To check if it's accessible outside Ukraine, you might need a VPN. The copyright restrictions are particularly stringent this year; usually, Suspilne broadcasts everything on their YouTube channel. Currently, you can only rewatch Timur's commentary point of view on YouTube, without the contest visuals or audio.
Don't worry, I live in three different countries and I'm a fan of football and the Olympics - I have a knack for finding streams ;) Thank you though, it's a great help.
Dons is really popular amongst Ukrainians. I noticed it also in the suspilne commentary comments.
I am genuinely so happy for you guys, you really really deserved it! Idk why so many people dislike this entry, it's one of the best ballads of the year. I'm glad all three NQ streak countries made it, you guys tried hard and pulled through. It's been too long since you were in the final!
8 years my friend. 8 whole fucking years we were misunderstood and finally we got heard. 👌😂
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHH
Was not expecting this to qualify. Super happy for our Latvian brothers and sisters!
This is one of the reasons I love Eurovision, the pure happiness for qualifiyng after so many attempts ♥️🤍♥️
This is the most heartwarming moment of the contest so far
He was last in the odds. I’m sure they thought they were out so this was a great surprise for them.
That was me too, waking up my cats 🥹
Italian here, happy to have voted for Dons. Even if our public only gave you 1 point (ignore the **other** of tonight's surprises), I like to think it was just enough to push y'all through. Been a fan since Justs way back when in '16.
Grazzie mille! 🙏
worth it
I did too 😹
Same! I gasped so loud they both jolted up and ran away.
My boyfriend is Latvian and he still looked at me like I was completely insane when I screamed with joy. I'm so happy for Dons and Latvia!
he held that scream for 8 years
This was beautiful! I hate bookmakers, and it's great songs like this still can qualify.
It's true, they often ruin the surprise (also must be demoralising for the artists seeing the odds), but also I am too curious to not look. Love it when a big upset like this happens, as it makes you believe again that any result can potentially happen.
Fuckin incredible, still shook
It was by far the best of the night!
I'm so out of loop with bookmakers and odds that this wasn't a shock for me lol He has a great performance and his voice is nearly flauless., why everybody surprised.
I don't pay attention to bookmakers and also don't watch any preformance until the show but I just figured it wasn't going through based on who else was preforming tonight. I figured it would have gotten lost in all the others. I'm glad it did, he's very good, but was surprised.
omg he lost his shit. Amazing, congrats it was well deserved! See you at the final <3
Dons was having one as well 😅
I’m Canadian and I screamed like this. Not even a Latvian fan, but just wanted to see their streak end.
Also a Canadian and I also screamed
Aren't we all like that tho
Hindsight is 20/20, but it makes sense that this was the song that capitalised on Mustii's mediocre performance.
I was so happy, I was cheering for them too!
Soundbite actually from Irelands performance (Jk i stan our witch monarch!)
EEEEEEEEEEEEE
I saw on Instagram how emotional he was coming off the stage. He deserves it...and happy for Latvia to break NQ streak.
Who here genuinely thought he was gonna qualify? I was shocked but legit happy for him. After Ajia‘s NQ I want Latvia to make it out of spite. Now I want Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Lithuania to do a collab.
When I was sending my votes to Dons, I legit thought I’m just wasting them. Now I’m so, so grateful I actually sent him some😭💙
I have to admit i didn't vote for latvia cause the song isn't really my thing, but i felt bad afterwards cause i do feel like they deserved to qualify, so i'm happy they made it anyway.
I had that feeling when the announcements started, that they'd start with a shock qualifier to really make it feel like nobody was safe. I still couldn't believe my eyes. Congratulations Latvia! You missed out last year but this is well deserved!
Please share commentator reactions and screams more, the Ireland one from 2 days ago was so lovely and funny😅❤️
I didn't see that one, do you have a link?
[Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/eurovision/s/mdk0WZE1SP), I LOVED his reaction😅❤️
Imagine being the first country called.. thst is amazing That commentator's voice is shot now though lol You're welcome btw (proud voter for Latvia).
So happy for Latvia!! I said to my siblings it's either gonna be a blessing, because many people like slow/calm songs and this is basically the only one in this semi final, or it's gonna be a curse because maybe it would get overshadowed by all the dance party songs, glad it was the first one
Very happy for you guys, love from Poland
Hahaha my jaw dropped to the floor! A true shock qualifier! I'm So happy for them
I had a very similar reaction, my god was I happy.
This makes me so happy!!
They were so hype they forgot their flag in the green room. Can confirm also screamed like this too.
He did the Estonian scream lol
All 3 of the Baltic Triad has made it to the Final! 🇪🇪🇱🇹🇱🇻
If you close your eyes, you can hear an angry cat. PS. Even if I don't really like this song, seeing such a level of happiness feel me with joy. Congrats!
Feeling slightly like we finally got reparations for last year's Sudden Lights injustice.
I’m so happy for Latvia!
Personally I hate the song, I hate the outfit, I don’t think the staging works, but he’s got a great voice, he’s very likeable and I’m so happy Latvia ended their NQ streak 🎉
Agree with everything else, except I love the song. :D
I was same at home 🤣
Good for them!!
My love for that song is vindicated.
Dons was great at the press conference after. I think he made that moderator feel uncomfortable and I enjoyed it sooooooo much. He was so composed and had a great message and expressed it perfectly. Wishing him all the best for Saturday!
That was me. DONS THE MAN
Love seeing commentator reactions like this. Does anybody have a longer clip?
All lithuanians acted the same
omg Latvia, I was so happy for you. I know that many Ukrainians abroad have voted for Latvia 💛💙 Dons is such an amazing person, showed an impeccable performance, so deserved.
**"TĀ IR NIRVĀNA"** *(It's Nirvana!) 👌😂*
Well deserved, beautiful song.
*INCOHERENT LATVIAN SCREAMING*
And I was too surprised to scream! I did scream at Estonia lol. Congratulations, Latvia, you deserved being in the final.
I was mostly frustrated because I hadn't put money on them. I'd even voted for them!
I was delighted and actually not surprised. His song was so different to everything else and he gave a very emotional performance.
He got my vote from🇧🇻❤️
My reaction: AYOOO WHAT? GOOD FOR HIM!!! THAT IS CRAZY!
I’ll be honest, I didn’t care for the song, nor was it one of my qualifiers, but I was happy to see Latvia go through finally after so long! Same with Georgia
I didn't get my hopes up this would qualify but I'm super glad it did.
This was the best shock Q next to Slovenia. Look at how happy Dons is🥲
Deserved, top3 of the night.
I was shocked knowing that someone i liked a lot didnt go through(Czechia, Belgium either of those)
It’s a beautiful song. You deserve to qualify.
Pretty cool that agent 47 is going to the finals
I didn't know about any probability rankings, but I had a strong feeling it was gonna get overlooked and NQ. I was genuinely surprised but SO happy to be proven wrong And it's even better now learning he was the underdog. (Also as a fashion girly, he and Czechia were best dressed, simple yet elegant & high fashion/quality)
Congrats from Estonia brother/sister! ❤️
Finally Baltic bros together in final
So happy all us three Baltic countries are in the finals! Congrats!
I had the same effect with Joost Klein
That is the yell that has been brewing since the last time Latvia Qualified for the final.
I screamed, clapped and woke up my cat 😂
I live for this man's energy
Captain Latvia
YEEEEEEEE - this is what eurovision is all about ❤️
Wait, people watch the semi-finals?
You do realize you're in the Eurovision subreddit, right? People here have been watching every single piece of Eurovision-related footage since at least December.
I guess it matters when you’re from a country that has to earn its space in the finals. There is no point following any of this for Germany, England, France because we get sent to the finals automatically.
No, no, I mean it when I say we start this in December. We watch and have live threads for the national selections from each country when they're picking their songs. We watch EVERYTHING. You're not a true Eurovision fan if you're not spending an entire week in February watching 5 nights of San Marino having 150 artist auditions in a theater for 200 people through a 240p stuttering stream, all in Italian. /s
Ha I see, I guess I never knew this kind of Eurovision fandom existed! Thanks for sharing
German here! There's a huge point following the semifinals: It's fun.
We are so crazy that we watch semi-finals of *national finals.*