As the first rehearsals in Kyiv come ever closer, it’s time for the escgo! line-up check to complete its analysis of the songs of the second semi-final. As always, the entries have been split between our editors – Felix, Shi and Martin – to give their personal preferences and predictions in text and emoji form. The non-assigned authors also get a 30-word “right of reply” afterwards.

The annual escgo! line-up check for 2017 has reached the second semi-final, to be held in Kyiv on Thursday 11 May. And while Russia’s withdrawal was an unnecessarily long, drawn-out and uncomfortable process for all concerned, at least it means the remaining 18 songs can now be neatly split between two blog posts. Which is very thoughtful of them. Anyway, it’s time to join our editors Felix, Martin and Shi as they turn their attention (and their emoji rayguns) to the next contenders for the Eurovision crown…