Eurovision 2024

[RunningAndSinging]

Anyone interested in the build up this year? I have been more aware this year as the songs are announced. I like Croatia, Ireland and Finland. Dizzy is hopefully going to do well which makes it exciting - Olli Alexander should be good performing live and he is well known in Europe.

Just reading about the controversy with Israel’s entry and I see that Iceland might send a Palastinian singer.

Ukraine have been the favourites for a while but Croatia is just ahead of them now.

I should say there are other rumours about Joost asking to do a statement on stage and being turned down by the EBU in the Dutch press but I'm told it's not the most reliable source.

Lots of different rumours swirling around:

His behaviour towards the Israeli delegate in the press conference.

He was high.

He’s committed an ‘act of violence’ against someone.

OH THE DRAMAS!

OMG I'm just catching up. This is horrendous.

I'm just so upset that it has come to this and considering not watching tomorrow - which would be only the second time I've missed a final broadcast since 1987!

The fun and the unity (the love love peace peace if you will) has gone from the competition this year.

I get you, but it won’t stop me watching.

It's beginning to feel like a total car crash.

Video circulating on social media of an Israeli journalist on the wind up to the Dutch contingent saying "oh where is Joost, we missed you at rehearsal".

(Also seeing suggestions that Joost hit a Swedish camera man which is at odds with the original rumour).

But either way it's not getting any better the more I hear.

Oh no! I was thinking of voting Joost or Windows95Man (I am Finnish). I hadn't made my mind yet...

The bookies still have Croatia as 5/6 fav, with Israel 2nd fav at 5/2 - overall.

Purely on televote Israel 9/10 fav, Croatia 2nd fav 5/4.

I will watch, of course I will, but it still leaves a bad taste.

There are so many conflicting reports. Joost punched a member of the Israeli delegation after they mocked his dead parents, or, Joost punched a Swedish cameraman. One of them had clear mitigating factors, the other is a mystery and probably a stupid thing for him to have done.

His behaviour in the press conference is clear as it's on camera. Not a great way to behave but that alone should lead to such harsh penalties. The EBU need to recognise the enormous pressure that any artist would be under when sharing the floor with Eden.

I've seen a leaked report that he'll be allowed to have a closed door rehearsal tomorrow morning, which would imply he'll be at the final and therefore presumably the jury show tonight? I think a full-scale disqualification would be a terrible EBU decision and will only increase animosity and protests, possibly also leading to other acts withdrawing.

Translated from Swedish

Joost Klein, the Netherlands' representative in the Eurovision song contest, did not participate during the entire genre rep on Friday. It should be about an "incident" concerning the artist, according to the EBU.

According to information to SVT, there has been a physical confrontation between the artist and a photographer.

The Netherlands' representative in Eurovision, Joost Klein, did not participate during the entire genre rep on Friday afternoon. He was in the opening flag parade but when it was his turn to sing, they skipped his contribution.

https://www.svt.se/kultur/incident-utreds-kring-nederlandske-artisten-joost-klein

SVT are the host broadcaster so this seems fairly legit.

Photographer was a woman.

Came here as my first port of call to find out what’s going on!

Latest unconfirmed rumour.

Dutch flag removed from dressing room. Malta to perform in final.

Not clear if withdrawal or disqualification.

ive literally nothing to do but watch this story for the next two hours.

If Malta has replaced the Netherlands we now have a situation of pissed off Dutch and Joost fans in the arena followed by Israel.

What could possibly go wrong with that?!

Tweet:

Even if Joost were to be disqualified, #Joost is now the face of #Eurovision2024 ... because there has never been so much talk about an artist during the #Eurovision worldwide 😂 well, Europe-wide. He has already won #Netherlands #Europapa

Statement from RTVE (Spain)
"The Spanish delegation from @eurovisiontve has conveyed to @EBUHQ its commitment to freedom of the press and opinion and has demanded that @Eurovision ensure its respect."
https://twitter.com/RTVE_Com/status/1788988410062848246?t=Hq5qt5U-_bmboKFIytkKxg&s=19

Apparently a Spanish journalist has been reporting that he has been harassed by Israeli journalists.

Remember Spain are Big 5.

I have heard reports that Nebulossa is considering withdrawing... But nothing further on that. I didn't think there was anything serious until I saw this statement from RTVE official twitter. (Spanish Eurovision broadcaster).

This is slightly wild.

Italy.
Short statement and then sings Imagine by John Lennon. Video circulating.

Getting conflicting messages. Some saying Joost will not be performing tonight. Some that he will perform tomorrow despite this.

Nfi what is going on but it really does look like one way or another he's out.

This seems to be the official line at the moment:

Oh well that'll be fun in the stadium.

And if they do get disqualified, then that’s going to fuck up the jury votes, isn’t it?

Meanwhile…

Good showing from Lithuania and Portugal.

Gonna fuck up everything!!!

Just a bloody nightmare.

And who now's what else will happen between now and the final at this rate.

We’re watching from home tonight, it will be a gay olympics to remember, I just hope it doesn’t result in any violence or criminal damage.

https://twitter.com/kaarijay/status/1789005949136466284

Show just started.

It's going 'well'.

So if members of the Israeli delegation are causing problems (possibility of insults to Joost and Spanish journalist) then we could have a situation where more than one act is disqualified. Not to mention any acts that decide to withdraw at the last minute. What utter chaos.