Eurovision 2015: Who Guy Sebastian has to beat

It might be unfair to say so, but that doesn't augur well for the world's glitziest and kitschiest show.

Sebastian's chances of success though will, in part, come down to whether he can make enough of his strengths – especially his ability to tug heart-strings with his undoubtedly velvety voice. A good song is essential and we may not know what he's singing until March 16.

But in a contest that rewards attention-seeking behaviour, how his opponents are received will surely be the deciding factor. So what do we know about his rivals?

A quick glance at the other contestants announced so far reveals a clear trend. There are more glamorous solo female performers than ever (among them: Spain, Iceland, Greece, Ireland, Georgia, The Netherlands, Albania, Hungary, Malta, Portugal) and fewer novelty acts than ever. That said, one does stand out...

United Kingdom – Electro Velvet 

'Retro polyester' may have been more apt. The unheralded duo – comprising unsuccessful reality TV contestant Bianca Nicholas and Alex Larke, singer for Rolling Stones tribute act 'The Rollin' Clones' – will perform an up-tempo electric swing song that has been received by critics as little more than a novelty track harking back to the final days of The British Empire. The Guardian's Stuart Heritage lamented it as "hopefully... a nadir" in British Eurovision entries, believing the logic behind it to be: "We've tried everything and we've failed, so here's something that sounds like a million ragtime-era dentist drills going off in unison. Hope you choke on it." Unmissable, for all the wrong reasons.

 

Germany – Ann Sophie

Deutschland should have been represented by the wonderfully talented but unphotogenic Andreas Kümmert (Voice of Germany winner from 2013). But after winning the right to perform in Vienna, he pulled out on live television saying: "I'm not really in the right shape to accept this," before nominating the runner-up. Ann Sophie, a London-born ballet dancer and wildcard entry, is that runner-up and she will sing Black Smoke in Vienna. But the news hasn't excited online bookies, who now rate Germany a rank outsider.

 

Finland – Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät

Choosing PNK, a punk band whose members have learning disabilities, autism and Down Syndrome, might sound like a bad pub joke, but this looks like a double winning move. There's an authenticity to it which could be a vote-winner and even if it's not, the Fins have been courageous enough to use the huge television audience to put Down Syndrome on the agenda in front of millions. Completely risky move that you just feel could pay off no matter what happens.

 

Slovenia – Maraaya

The secret weapon behind Slovenian entry Maraaya's chances is New Orleans-born songwriter Charlie Mason, who co-wrote Conchita Wurst's winning song last year, Rise Like a Phoenix. Maraaya (Marjetka Vovk and Aleš Vovk) will perform his new song, Here For You – and as you'd expect, it's a real earworm and already has the attention of bookies.

<p><b>Spain - Edurne</b></p> <p>If the Spanish swimsuit model/pop star Edurne can nail the towering pop ballad <i>Amanecer (Dawn)</i>, written by her Spanish/Swedish songwriting team, she could be tough to beat. Edurne has already been a child star, made several television appearances (<i>Hospital Central</i> anyone?) and although her pop career hasn't exactly set the world on fire, she has glamour to spare. </p> <p><iframe width="100%" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRYxsPtoZBE?rel=0" frameborder="0"> 

Italy – Il Volo

Italy are represented by a polished pop-opera trio, Il Volo (The Flight), featuring nerdy tenor Piero Barone, smiley tenor Ignazio Boschetto and devilish baritone Gianluca Ginoble. They won the right to compete after winning the Sanremo Song Contest, which doubled as Italy's Eurovision qualifier. Il Volo would make opera purists wince, but their dashing looks, powerful vocals and melodramatic performances are about perfect for Eurovision. Is it too late for Guy Sebastian to be cloned?

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Armenia – Genealogy

If the phrase 'Armenian supergroup' leaves you scratching your head, imagine trying to run band meetings between the members of Armenia's Eurovision entry Genealogy, who come from the United States, Japan, Ethiopia, France, Australia and yes even Armenia. The Australian member is Houston-born soprano Mary-Jean Anais O'Doherty , who studied in Sydney and was a recipient of the ABC Symphony Young Vocalist Award in 2007 and the Australian International Opera Award in 2008. There is of course no guarantee Genealogy will survive the first semifinal in the Wiener Stadhalle, but it would terrific to see another Australian in the final.

 

Ireland – Molly Sterling

Sixteen-year-old Molly Sterling, from Puckane in County Tipperary, is a teen talent show veteran and bound to win votes for her youthfulness if she can handle her nerves in front of over 100 million viewers. Rated an outside chance, but has to qualify from the second semifinal.

 

Iceland – María Ólafsdóttir

The tiny 21-year-old singer/actress, who often performs barefoot, has a powerhouse ballad (Unbroken) that is exactly the kind of song that could rise above voting blocks. A real dark horse.

 

Estonia – Elina Born and Stig Rasta

Estonia is already being tipped by bookmakers as a contender and it's down to the quality of their song, Goodbye to Yesterday, which sounds like a ubiquitous international pop song with just enough retro appeal to feel weirdly familiar – unlike Britain's song which is too strong on the retro flavour.

 

Georgia – Nina Sublatti

Moscow-born model/calligrapher/singer Nina Sulaberidze will sing her own song, Warrior for Georgia. She has plenty of influences to, ahem, draw upon including Janis Joplin, Bjork and Placebo's Brian Molko.