At #12, this is the highest placing of a non-qualifying entry this year. Although I still think it should have qualified.
Pernilla - När jag blundar (Finland 2012)
To be honest, I am not sure how necessary a qualification would have been. It would have been nice. Suitable. Not out of place. But still.
Pernilla nailed all the important parts: throughout the week of rehearsals in Baku, she took in the stage, adapted to the camera angles, grew more confident on stage and - above all - sang really well on the live broadcast.
It is not a small task for a complete newcomer to represent your country at Eurovision and nerves got the better of several performers during the ESC history. Pernilla was calm, composed, beautiful and secure.
Sending in a slow ballad in your own language is always a gamble - this one got really close to qualification. For a country like Finland - with no less than nine last places and an almost uncountable amount of misunderstood masterpieces with dismal placings - this is an entry to be very proud of.
My grade: 4/5
