The Ukrainian national final for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest is about to be held. 15 acts will compete to become the seventh representative for Ukraine in the competition.

Webcast

A webcast will be provided here and here.

Particpants

1. Lenara – Flash
2. Hot Chocolate – Kiss
3. Tetyana Bryantseva – Sweet and sugar baby
4. Denis Barkanov – You are my love and pain
5. Zaklyopki – Time is up
6. Nataliya Volkova – Gush
7. 4 Kings – Tearin’ up my heart
8. ANA – You’re like a paradise
9. Svitlana Loboda – Be my Valentine
10. GODO – Olvidamos
11. NikitA – Beauty saves the world
12. Olexander Panaiotov – Superhero
13. Ira Poizen – You freed me
14. Kishe – Midnight
15. Tori Joy – Smile

LIVE

The show has started.

1. Lenara – Flash

Current poll result: 9.3% (3rd)

The show opens with a customary up-tempo song with some ethnic elements. It sounds like a series of songs that were presented in the Bulgarian heats and might not be one of the hot favourites tonight, especially as it does not sound as professional as the Ukrainian entries in recent years. The performance works well with the song, but is not quite an eye-catcher.

2. Hot Chocolate – Kiss

Current poll result: 4.1% (=7th)

Ukraine usually doesn't send ballads to the Eurovision Song Contest. Hot Chocolate present the first one tonight and it is a rather strong R&B compositions. The vocals work well with the song and so does the overall stage performance. However, it might be too American for the contest.

3. Tetyana Bryantseva – Sweet and sugar baby

Current poll result: 4.1% (=7th)

The next song mixes a very classic Europop melody with some very minor ethnic elements, which means it is in a similar style as last year's Shady lady, but maybe not equally catchy. The performance show much potential but would of course need to be revemped if this song won tonight.

4. Denis Barkanov – You are my love and pain

Current poll result: 2.3% (12th)

Drama, drama, drama! Denis Barkanov delivers a very dramatic performance with a dramatic wind machine of a dramatic song with dramatic lyrics. However, it seems to be a bit tuneless once in a while depite a catchy hookline. Maybe this song needs an even more dramatic arrangement?

5. Zaklyopki – Time is up

Current poll result: 0.5% (15th)

We are in disco now. The group delivers a catchy but not very outstanding funky disco tune. Regarding the genre, the vocals are surprisingly strong and the performance works pretty well with the song. However, it is hard to believe that this entry would appeal to the juries or the televoters.

6. Nataliya Volkova – Gush

Current poll result: 9.2% (=3rd)

Another dramatic ballad now and this time it appears to be a more professional production. Although it is not particularly modern, it is a kind of song the televotersmight like.The singer performs the song with much passion and it comes across very well on screen.

7. 4 Kings – Tearin’ up my heart

Current poll result: 1.4% (14th)

It's time for a rather American tune again. The melody is not very memorable and despite a climax towards the end, it is very repetitive. The performance obviously has a nice idea behind it but it looks very chaotic on stage. Maybe not a favourite tonight.

8. ANA – You’re like a paradise

Current poll result: 4.1% (=7th)

The intro promises a straightforward pop/rock song but it later turn out to be more of an electronic dance song. The vocals are rather shaky, especially at the beginning and the choreography seems to be rather pointless. If this one could stand a chance against the other (few) dance songs already selected for Moscow?

9. Svitlana Loboda – Be my Valentine

Current poll result: 22.0% (2nd)

Svitlana Loboda mixes elements of Ruslana 2004 (the choreography), Tina Karol (the song structure) and Verka Serduchka (the accordion). If this could be a winning formula? The audience seems to love it. However, the vocals obviously need some improvement and the English pronounciation is very edgy.

10. GODO – Olvidamos

Current poll result: Current poll result: 3.2% (11th)

A very chaotic and overly dramatic song is presented now. The vocals are technically flawless but the way the high notes are song they may well hurt in some people's ears. The performance works pretty well with the song but overall it seems not to be a favourite tonight, especially the audience is almost completely silent once the performance is over.

11. Olexander Panaiotov – Superhero

Current poll result: 22.9% (1st)

Olexander performs a very classic Eurodance tune. The vocal performance is strong but the stage performance is rather odd, but it would probably be changed for Moscow anyway. Generally, this song is in a style that usually appeals to the Eurovision fans but not to the general televoters or the juries.

12. Ira Poizen – You freed me

Current poll result: 3.7% (10th)

Ira Poizen performs a very sweet straightforward popballad. It israther catchy and the stage performance and the vocals work very well for it. However, itis probably not outstandingenough for the Eurovision Song Contest, although it offers a very nice variety in style in this national final.

13. Kishe – Midnight

Current poll result: 1.8% (13th)

Hip-hop now and it has to be mentioned that the only Ukrainian entry in that genre ended in a disaster on homeground in 2005 (like almost all of the very few hip-hop or rap entries in the competition). The performance works well with this one, the song is catchy but overall it might lack something special.

14. Tori Joy – Smile

Current poll result: 5.5% (6th)

The intro of the song sounds like the background track of one of the first video games that were released. Song and performance are Katy Perry meets BWO meets Cyndi Lauper meets Tina Karol. It's a very interesting and entertaining although the lead singer is screaming a lot and the performance is very aggressive. However, maybe a dark horse tonight.

The voting lines are now open.

Some of the entries chosen by other countries are now performed by their singers: Jade from the UK, Petr Elfimov from Belarus, Lidia Kopaniafrom PolandandSasha Son from Lithuania. Ruslana, winner of the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest is now on stage.

Svitlana Loboda has won the national final.