In a few minutes, the second semi final of the Romanian national selection for the 2009 Eurovision Son Contest will be held. Another twelve acts will be fighting it out tonight for the six remaining slots in the final to be held on Saturday.

Webcast

A webcast will be provided here.

Tonight's participants:

1. Besa – Nothing gonna change
2. Red Blonde – Nu am cu cine
3. Adrian Molnar – Go on
4. Catalin – Stop
5. SoundCheck – You are my love
6. Etnic – The love is the life
7. Irina Popa – I feel your presence
8. Alexa – One last night
9. Alin Nica – Don't leave
10. IMBA – Round & round
11. Costi Ionita – Can you forgive
12. Elena Gheorghe – The Balkan Girls

Live coverage:

And the show has started! Our familiar Trio Stoooges are shooting their mouths off (god knows what about).

1. Besa – Nothing's gonna change

Current poll result: 9.6% (4th)

Besa is the only non Romanian taking part in this year's preselection as she is from Albania. A slow, sentimental ballad from Besa who starts off sitting with her male dancer at a table. She now moves center stage, dressed in a very sexy, long black dress with the male dancer moving sensually around her. Her vocal performance is not perfect at all times, although the song showcases her voice quite nicely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VosrBy6CKTw

2. Red Blonde – Nu am cu cine

Current poll result: 10.8% (3rd)

The only song in Romanian for tonight. A very energetic if slightly vocally challenged performance by the two girls, but then with so much moving around it is only natural. A drummer and a keyboard player accompany them on stage. The song is catchy and memorable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsvh3lOgS2A

3. Adrian Molnar – Go on

Current poll result: 2.4% (=6th)

A dramatic change of pace now, as we move on to a slow, sentimental ballad. Shots of the crowd indicate that the audience present in the studio enjoyed this performance which was far from correct vocally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4esodywdSY

Alina is now in the Green Room interviewing the contestants. Besa does not speak a word of Romanian and we wonder whether this will go down well with the Romanian public.

4. Catalin – Stop

Current poll result: 36.1% (1st)

Catalin also took part last year making it to the final of the Romanian preselection with two songs, later deciding to withdraw one of them. At first it seems we are looking at Mans Zelmerlow on Romanian stage, but nope… it's Catalin surrounded by five female dancers in black catsuits. So nice to see our familiar ribbons from Armenia 06, Greece 07 and Belarus 08. A surge of pyros drives the audience wild. Typical Eurodance song from Catalin, a well worked on performance but the vocal part could use some work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-8zeMY2G6E

5. SoundCheck – You are my love

Current poll result: 0% (=11th)

A bluesy ballad now from SoundCheck, you know the kind with the American influences the Eurovision audience usually ignores. The singer stands centerstage and does a pretty good job, not flawless but it could be improved with practice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=742Ap8HYSI4

6. Etnic – The love is the life

Current poll result: 3.6% (5th)

A pop song with heavy Balkan ethnic influences next. Etnic, a girl duo, are dressed in long white capes, hiding underneath minimal, sexy black dresses and thigh high white stockings. An interesting combination, to say the least, but we cannot say that it suits the song. Especially when the singers try to perform a traditional Balkan dance during the bridge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiwTCE9UNNs

7. Irina Popa – I feel your presence

Current poll result: 2.4% (=6th)

A pop rock ballad is next in line by newcomer Irina Popa. Dressed in typically rock attire and accompanied by two lady backing vocalists and a guitar and a bass player Irena delivers possibly the best vocal performance of the night so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivGEB9vNeoc

8. Alexa – One last night

Current poll result: 1.2% (=9th)

Alexa stands centerstage, dressed in a golden gown, accompanied by 3 lady backing vocalists and a piano player. A sweet ballad with slight American inffluences very well performed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chVYWQtaMBg

9. Alin Nica – Don't leave

Current poll result: 2.4% (=6th)

An all male ensemble next and another ballad of a rockish nature this time. Alin delivers a correct performance of his song and we see some very nice interaction with the camera. A very warm reception by the audience present for this simple, touching song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip1VKXoxND0

10. IMBA – Round & round

Current poll result: 0% (=11th)

IMBA also took part last year but were eliminated in the semi final. More American influences for this pop dance song. This is a fun, energetic performance from the girl band. Lead singer in a Marilyn Monroe platinum look delivers a perfect vocal performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4TtkipRw8Y

11. Costi Ionita – Can you forgive

Current poll result: 1.9% (=9th)

Costi tried his luck once more a long time ago, he participated in 2003 but was disqualified for plagiarism. Costi is in this year's Romanian preselection with a pop ballad turned orchestral with an abundance of stringed instruments. Costi seems to be drawn into the song, keeping his eyes closed for most of it and avoiding eye contact with the camera. Unfortunately, he fails to rise to the occasion as the song gets more demanding vocally towards the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKWY5SYmV7c

12. Elena Gheorghe – The Balkan Girls

Current poll result: 30.1% (2nd)

Last song for the night, by Elena and her girl dancers. Happy, catchy song, with just the right touch of ethnic elements. Possibly the best choreography of the night, with clever dress changes, acrobatics and pyrotechnics at the finale. Elena manages to hold the tune to perfection although she is actively involved in the choreography.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB4mhD5cUtg

And the first results of the televote are in. Elena Gheorge is the runnaway winner so far with 1483 votes followed by Alin Nica (900), Catalin (838), Red Blonde (640). Costi (560), Adrian Molinar (518), SoundCheck (350), Alexa (245), Erina Popa (166), IMBA (150), Besa (122) and Etnic (97).

The results are in and the following songs made it to the final:

• Costi Ionita – Can you forgive
• Red Blonde – Nu am cu cine
• Elena Gheorghe – The Balkan Girls
• Catalin – Stop
• Alin Nica – Don't leave
• IMBA – Round & round