France

France
Artist - Amaury Vassili
Song - Sognu
Draw - Final, Place 11

One of the youngest contenders this year, is 21 year old, Amaury Vassili, who is also the youngest professional tenor in the world. He started singing at around 9 years of age, and was enrolled, by his mother, to a musical school in Rouen.

Amaury became famous in 2009, by releasing his debut album, "Vincero". After a world wide release, this album was certified Double Platinum. In November 2010, he released his second album "Cantero".

On the 27th January 2011, it was announced that France would be represented by Amaury.

"Sognu" will be sung in Corsican and will be the first French entry in 18 years to be sung in the language. The song was composed by Daniel Moyne and Quentin Bachelet, and written by Jean-Pierre Marcellesi.

Current Betting Odds (William Hill) - 5/1 (Favourite to win)
My Prediction - I love it, and I think France will do very well this year, definitely top 6. But does it have that special something to win? I'm not sure....

                                       Bonne chance!!

Who are the favourites so far??

After a few weeks of knowing all of the participating songs in this years Eurovision, betting agents and Eurovision websites have been quick to reveal who they think has the winning formula to win this year.

Amaury Vassili, the
French
Representative

        

 
William Hill (A UK bookmaker) favours France to win, with the UK, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Sweden and Germany close behind. They also predict FYR Macedonia, Malta and Portugal being at the bottom. A prediction that I don't think will be far wrong!!

Eurovision fan site, The Eurovision Times, favour Estonia to be the front runner, with Amaury Vassili from France in a close second. Eric Saade of Sweden is in third with the UK in a steady fourth with boyband, Blue. Last years winner Lena, completes the top 5.

Estonian, Getter Jaani, is
one of the favourites on
ESC Nation 

ESC Nation, has a poll running for each country to award points to others, in the traditional Eurovision fashion. Since the poll opened a few weeks ago, the top three have not yet changed, with Kati Wolfe, Eric Saade and Getter Jaani, from Hungary, Sweden and Estonia respectively, changing from positions 1 to 3. The UK are in fourth with Germany and France battling it out for the 5th place.

 


ESC Today have their tradtional "Big Poll". Here is whats predicted by the European public, as to which ten countries will make it through to the final.

Semi-final 1 (participants in alphabetical order)

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Russia & Turkey

Semi-final 2 (participants in alphabetical order)

Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Israel, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden & The Netherlands


So do these predictions match what you think will happen?

Stay tuned for Croatia's profile blog, later today.