Italy 2026: Sal Da Vinci with ‘Per Sempre Si’
Sanremo proved as close as was expected this year with Sal Da Vinci doing just enough for the win, and saying a very fast Si to the Vienna ticket:
Unlike Sal's marriage, my relationship with Italy in the contest has been going through some tricky times with me (rightly) rallying against Angelina Mango and (wrongly) Lucio Corsi's respective hopes the last two years. Let's call it even and move on with me fully back on board and ready to proclaim this as very underestimated.
First off, Italy did turn down something which would be close to if not odds on now in Ditonellapiaga, but that doesn't mean what they have is still not highly competitive in this year. No one is claiming this is a compositional masterpiece but people vote on vibes and this radiates joy maybe unlike anything else in the competition. It's trading strongly off brand Italy and romantic, summer vibes but is something a little different from anything we've had since their return. I am expecting the televote to really love this, particularly older demographics wanting something straightforward, unpretentious and upbeat. It's also I believe a problem for Finland who could have had that area locked down but this is just sure of itself I think in a way that isn't. Better song no, better result? Maybe.
Jurors might be less keen on this and I'm not sure how the line is between dated and timeless but 'Per Sempre Si' walks it very, very finely. Jurors from Northern and Western Europe where being 'current' plays a bigger role might struggle with this and we could see a bit of a divide in how the youngest jurors rate this versus the rest. I do think this will be treated with more kindness and novelty than the first listenings in Italy (was around 24th/30) with more of a classy than cliche vibe coming through and Sal performs it with great conviction and charisma. This Neomelodico style is something that comes with more positive ascociations outside of the Italian scene.
Staging is a bit of an unknown. I don't think they'll just have Sal on his own Sanremo style in the middle of an empty stage with Italy really putting in a lot more effort in the 2020s. Some wedding themed staging is quite likely, potentially a dancing couple or two in the background which could be hit or miss. Interestingly Kaleen (Austria '24, Head of contest assistant) picked this out as one of her favourite stagings so there is something going on.
So yeah, or Si, I do think both the televote and jury will certainly be over the 100 pt mark, that should be a given. In honesty, I can imagine a Televote above 200pts and a jury score maybe a touch lower than last year's 159 but there is some uncertainty in this. It wouldn't be a surprise if this does snowball and all of a sudden looks like a televote winner. Italy are not out of the running in a year where a sub 400 point score might even be enough but probably fall a bit short in the end.
Personal Rating: 18/20
Televote Potential: 18/20
Jury Potential: 15/20
Staging Potential: 17/20
Track Record: 19/20
Total Rating 87/100
Early Prediction: 3rd-7th in the Final.
Volatility Factor: 4/5 - Televote could like or love this, juries could see it as dated or enjoy it too with nothing to overly punish, staging also unknown but with expectation. Should be in the top 10 at a minimum.