Singer Barbara Pravi, representative of France at Eurovision 2021. – FTV / JOÊL SAGET
If the final of Eurovision 2021 will be held on May 22 in Rotterdam (Netherlands), rehearsals began on Saturday on the stage of the Ahoy Arena. Among the first performances, one was particularly expected: that of the Maltese Destiny, announced by the bookmakers as the main favorite for the victory.
The performance of the 18-year-old singer on her song I break – despite the title in French, the lyrics are English – did not really live up to the expectations of the journalists who were able to follow its rehearsal. Vocally, the artist was impeccable. On the other hand, its scenography, minimalist, based on neon lights and flat areas of pink or yellow colors, disappointed observers, who considered it sloppy.
As a result, Malta’s rating took a hit in the wing. Two hours after the rehearsal, she was overtaken by France who, represented by Barbara Pravi and the song here, has, this Monday morning, 19% of chances of winning Eurovision (against 16% the day before), according to the statistics of the bookmakers
relayed by the Eurovision World site. The Maltese, she went from 20% chance of victory to 17%.
“I know that it will still move a lot”
” It’s crazy ! “, Reacted the French singer in her story Instagram while qualifying:” I know that it will still move a lot. “Moreover, under a post from the Wiwibloggs site Citing her as “the new favorite to win”, Barbara Pravi commented, all in modesty and sorority: “Always close to Malta, two girls at the top! “
The French representative will perform her first rehearsal on Thursday afternoon. Until then, other favorites such as the Switzerland Gjon’s Tears, the Italian group
Maneskin or
Bulgarian Victoria, will have made a first round on stage and perhaps attracted the attention of the punters. Not to mention that songs that have so far not alerted the radars could turn out to be serious contenders for the trophy …
It is true that, in the recent history of the competition, France has regularly been carried high by the bookmakers, without this being materialized by a place in the top 10 at the time of the final prize list, with the exception of Amir in 2016. But if, in a week, once all the artists have completed their two rehearsals at the Ahoy Arena, Barbara Pravi is still at the top of the forecasts, there will be cause for optimism.