The 2026 escbetting Awards

We're in June and the eurovision season of 2026 is thoroughly in the rear view mirror so what better way to round off the month and the season as a whole here with the escbetting awards? OK don’t answer that.

Here is the 6th edition of the annual awards…

Best National Final Choice

Nominees: Croatia, Denmark, Poland, Portugal?

As always to be nominated here you have to have been both “clearly” a better option and not have been obvious so no Bangaranga from DARA's song selections (and I don't consider her candidacy valid) or Moldova etc and well, this is an easy one, it's obviously Denmark with them opting for Soren instead of either Sissal or Ericka Jane which was not to be took for granted at the time. Poland had a (hugely amusing) banana skin in their 100% Televote national final that I guess was well dodged whilst Croatia had a lot of respectable options but chose correctly, though do push both the criteria a tad. Meanwhile, I guess Portugal at least avoided the uncertainty of whatever the backup plan was by landing on one of the few acts willing to take the ticket 🤷🏼‍♂️.

Winner: Denmark

Worst National Final Choice

Nominees: Estonia, Luxembourg, Malta, Ukraine

OK, Malta is padding out the numbers here because a qualification isn't to be sniffed at for them and Matt Blacckaxcck and his Flute may have ended up pretty similarly overall, albeit without spending daft amounts. Ukraine is an interesting one in reaching the top 10 yet again, because without a scoring system change or a minimum of 10 other countries scoring 200+ points they are seemingly inevitable to do so, but having left the far more popular, at least in esc circles, 'Catharticus' on the table. I actually felt this wasn't a bad decision at the time and I don't think that would have won given Bulgaria's points totals, but it may have very possibly took silver so makes it a strong nominee. Luxembourg had a few better options in studio that maybe could have made the final, but the more clear cut one is Estonia who would have surely made it through with either other option in the superfinal, maybe even a couple of others and held onto baltic bragging rights. In terms of net position gain and the number of alternate picks they edge out Ukraine for me.

“Winner”: Estonia

Best Staging

Nominees: Australia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania

A strong Balkan showing this year with Serbia also worthy of a mention whilst Denmark I feel were the strongest of the Nordics whilst a bit more polish would have seen Italy here with a proper shout. Croatia have been one of the most improved over recent years and continue to bring some of the best and most distinctive colour pallates. What a depressingly nerdy thing to type out but anyway. Australia brought all the cheese and clichés but understood the assignment in doing that and in this renewed age of political voting, fewer entrants, eastern shift, with so many points off the table, strong competition and a sub optimal running order 122 points on the Televote is pretty impressive and speaks a lot to what they and Delta achieved. Romania’s staging as I said in my reaction felt like there was a little something extra that could have been found but I’m being ultra nitpicky with them and it’s a 9/10 effort at minimum, evidenced again by their success and the improvement from the nadir of their previous entry scarcely believable. Ultimately however, a country that goes from 300-1 to landslide winner on the back of their stage performance has to win this category.

Winner: Bulgaria

Worst Staging

Nominees: Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, The UK

It would be remiss not to throw in The UK as an entry fortunate to collect it's 1 point, but on the whole there wasn't tonnes that could be done here, I don't feel anyway. Georgia was always called out here as something difficult to sell live and boy did that play out whilst Montenegro hold the honour for being the main fan favourite that failed to qualify and presentation did this no favours moving all in on the gurning. Left behind by every other Balkan really stepping on the gas. That is perhaps with the exception of Greece where my thoughts remain a bit conflicted. If Romania and Bulgaria’s staging take credit in achieving so many points above expectation, fairness dictates staging here takes a huge portion of the “blame” in failing to challenge. I maintain Akylas could have been somewhere in the top 5 and the execution here very messy. Got to go Georgia overall with every element being off; stage presence, vocals, backdrop, choreography, outfits and more.

“Winner”: Georgia

Best Price of The Year

Nominees: Bulgaria 300~, Bulgaria 30~, Bulgaria 19~, Bulgaria 3~

I could pick something else with Israel consistently at 20+ and e/w a good shout, Australia 18 just before their rehearsal based on what was known of others and could be reasonably expected then or the even money you could get on Finland NOT to win around the final, or anything in the 2s in the months before.

Ultimately though this is the Bulgaria edition.

Up to 300 on the first hype and before that in the run up, 30~ after the semi final when leading the field there, 19 on the day of the final and close to the start of the show or the 3~ for much of the results reveal even when 'Bangaranga' was in a comfortable position. An exceptional year and charge deserves an exceptional clean sweep on the nominations and take your own pick for when the value vs probability was highest.

Winner: Bulgaria

Worst Price of the Year

Nominees: Finland 2~, Australia 11-25~, Malta 16~, Sweden 23~

There was only one person backing Malta at close to 16s but I feel like throwing that in here. I’m a bit kinder to the caution/optimism over Greece and France but Sweden trading in the typical Swedish position of "maybe default winner?" was obviously miles off given their result and what would have been an NQ last year. Australia after the first few jury votes could be 100% wrote off yet was still given a chance. Has to be Finland tho.

“Winner”: Finland

Over-Performance

Nominees: Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Norway

Bulgaria and Romania are the two success stories yet again in jumping from what was expected to be something more like 11th and 13th to 1st and 3rd. Two countries who actually did end up in that mid table however have strong shouts with Poland doing exceptional work in the semi final having been considered in danger at one stage and finishing very strongly. Norway despite being seen safer all season however never really improved it’s position or security in the odds and take the win here for two main reasons: doing this in spite of a very wobbly jury show and being expected to struggle on the day of the final itself and also in pulling Jonas Lovv out of the bag from what looked a terrible set of options in their national final, returning to the Rybak well included. Second year where respectability achieved despite all the early indicators. Take this win with a warning NRK…

Winner: Norway

False Hype

Nominees: Finland, Malta, Greece, France

Again, Malta’s hype was mainly self generated but they get a nomination here for trotting out the closest to a ‘never seen before’ staging promise which was a huge letdown and contributed nothing to the performance. Greece and France finished with equally disappointing and far off the pace results for countries that were supposedly sailing towards 300 on the Televote and Jury respectfully whilst being appreciated on the other side and both would be very strong candidates in another year but when an eventual odds on favourite who most of the fandom were certain would win since February finishes 6th that’s another level.

“Winner”: Finland

Most Likely to Return

Nominees: Senhit (San Marino), Aidan (Malta), Alicja (Poland), Satoshi (Moldova)

As usual we're looking at our smaller participants for this and as always I have done 0 research. Senhit has been here 3 times already (or 4 if you count 2020) and whilst you can't rule out another with or without a random "special guest", I'd say that's been plenty, San Marino will be reluctant to pick her -unless the finances are truly exceptional - and none of her appearances have gone as she'd have hoped. Aidan and Satoshi are two pretty similar cases of big domestic artists going and both trying hard (too hard in the cowboy's case). Both possible to pop up again after some time and Moldova in particular love a repeat or several. The other call would probably be Alicja who fits the bill as an artist who could actually do significantly better, maybe not face too much competition for the Polish ticket all things considered and has time on her side (as well as a 2020 attempt under her belt showing some desire to return).

Winner: Alicja (Poland)

There’s A lot of Dancing At This Point Award

Nominees: Belgium, Germany, Georgia, Sweden

Here by popular demand -or because I can't let a half decent meme die- this award is dedicated to an entry bringing the most forced dance break, uninspiring choreography or generally anything that may be worthy of this reaction:

FELICIA for Sweden never really convinced in the minimal choreography asked of her and edges out Antigoni in that regard to get a nod, taking the Dance out of EDM. ESSYLA and Belgium did a good job on stage though in studio I can't help being very uninspired still and Germany bring out all the clichés but did them fairly well. Georgia get another nod with some cringeworthy choreo as already mentioned but I will go Belgium on this - it feels the more true to the concept in studio and the actual use of "dancing" in the title and lyrics seals it.

Winner: Belgium

Personal Favourite

Nominees: Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Australia

It may surprise that Greece aren't here (7th) behind Moldova and actually Finland! It's basically the televote if Israel and Ukraine are removed which is unusual... Obviously, there's some crossover between what ended up happening in the contest itself but it's not a 1:1 good memories from winning a bet kind of deal. Neck and neck between ‘Bangaranga’ and ‘Per Sempre Si’ depending on my mood but Sal has been up there longer so in interest of spreading out these awards a little more I will go him.

Winner: Italy

See you all for the next season!

🫵 💍 👇 🗓️💥