In what can only be described as a bold—some might say baffling—move, San Marino has revealed the 20 finalists of the San Marino Song Contest before the semifinals have even aired.

Fans who had been gearing up for the usual drama of elimination rounds might now be wondering if they missed an entire chapter of the competition. But fear not: the semis still exist. They’re just…retroactively irrelevant.

So, why the premature revelation? Some speculate it’s a strategic play to build hype ahead of the grand final on March 8. Others suspect it’s simply San Marino embracing its reputation for doing Eurovision selection their way—rules of conventional television programming be damned.

The lineup includes a mix of seasoned performers, local hopefuls, and at least one name that had fans rubbing their eyes in disbelief. Among the chosen ones:

• Bianca Atzei (Italy): The queen of Italian ballads, back for more heartbreak anthems. If emotions had a vocal range, she’d be hitting all the high notes.
• Gabry Ponte (Italy): Yes, that Gabry Ponte, the Eurodance mastermind behind Eiffel 65’s “Blue (Da Ba Dee).” Expect nostalgic beats and at least one person in the crowd humming da ba dee da ba daa.
• Marco Carta (Italy): Former Amici di Maria De Filippi winner and Sanremo champ. Will he use his reality show skills to charm his way to victory?
• Pierdavide Carone (Italy): Because nothing screams ‘national selection’ like at least one singer-songwriter who makes you want to sit in a café and contemplate life.
• King Foo (Slovenia): Not a martial arts flick, but an actual band. Can they kick their way to the top of the leaderboard? We’ll see.
• Paco (San Marino): The homegrown talent carrying the hopes of an entire nation—no pressure, right?
• Curli (Sweden): Swedish pop excellence? Likely. IKEA furniture-themed lyrics? Unlikely, but we’d respect the commitment.
• This & That (Italy): With a name like that, they’re either extremely versatile or incredibly indecisive.
• Teslenko (Ukraine): Because no European song contest is complete without a dramatic, possibly political ballad.

Behind the Judges’ Table: The Power Players

Luca De Gennaro leads the jury, joined by Federica Gentile, Ema Stokholma, Mario Andrea Ettore, and the contest’s executive overlord, Roberto Sergio. But the real wildcard is artistic director Massimo Bonelli, who has been granted the ability to bestow 10 bonus points to the act he deems most ‘Eurovision-worthy.’ Translation: Someone’s about to get an unexpected boost, and fans will either love it or riot online.

To spice things up, the always-unfiltered Cristiano Malgioglio will make special appearances throughout the show. Whether he’ll be offering biting critiques, extravagant outfits, or both remains to be seen. Meanwhile, guest performances by La Rappresentante di Lista and Eurovision alum Senhit will add some credibility to the spectacle.

San Marino’s Eurovision Ambitions: A Master Plan or Just More Chaos?

San Marino’s tiny-but-mighty approach to Eurovision is well-documented, and this year’s contest could be its boldest yet. At the press conference, officials emphasized that the competition’s growing international reach is no accident—entries from 26 countries and a 30% increase in casting applicants suggest they’re onto something.

Denny Montesi of Media Evolution even credited Spain’s surge in interest to ‘the Nebulossa and Megara effect,’ proving that Eurovision fandom spreads like wildfire when given the right kindling.

So…What Now?

Despite the eyebrow-raising decision to unveil finalists ahead of time, anticipation remains high for the March 8 final. Whether San Marino has cracked the code to a viral selection process or simply made things unnecessarily confusing is up for debate. One thing’s for sure: With a lineup this eclectic, the show won’t be boring.

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What do you think of San Marino’s decision? Masterstroke or misstep? Let us know on social media @buildingbridgespod!

Photo: SMRTV screenshot