ISML 2017: Love For Two, How Do You Do! Kokoa With Another Scalp
By Jo-Ryan SalazarThe Bedlam on Baltic AvenueMay 13, 2017
As another Eurovision Song Contest cycle concludes, Match Day 18 of the 2017 International Saimoe League Aquamarine Period is officially history, and form followed for the most part, with notable exceptions. In the Female Division, Stella Vermillion defeated Chizuru Hshiro 1012-765, Nao Tomori rolled past Isla 1171-939, You Watanabe sailed past Riko Sakurauchi 914-533, Sora Kasugano whipped past Ruiko Saten 1181-878, Rem prevailed over Reina Kousaka 1374-1147, Kokoa Hoto scored the Upset of the Round, a 1095-905 win over Isuzu Sento, Umaru Doma routed Yoshiko Tsushima 1397-681 and Megumi defeated Touka Yatogami 1347-923.
Darkness reigned over Kyouko Sakura 1165-897, Victorique de Blois won the closest race of the round, a 986-958 nailbiter over Sharo Kirima, Aoba Suzukaze continued her run with a 1109-963 thumping of Azusa Nakano, Hitagi Senjougahara dismissed Megumi Tadokoro 1038-876, Marika Tachibana smashed Tsubasa Hanekawa 1033-861, Yuki Nagato defeated Chitose Karasuma 1093-845 and Nagisa Furukawa pounded Chiaki Nanami 1039-835.
In the Male Division, Shirou Emiya routed Alucard 1222-488, Korosensei annihilated Yuuri Katsuki 1710-288, Sorata Kanda slaughtered Takumi Usui 1109-683, Spike Spiegel defeated Yoshikage Kira 655-392, Kazuma Satou prevailed over Shidou Itsuka 1140-793, Shizuo Heiwajima whipped past Kei Shirogane 905-608, Kurapika prevailed over Rei Kiriyama 702-644 and Rintarou Okabe won a 990-959 thriller over Sakamoto.
Monkey D. Luffey eased past Shinya Kougami 986-771, Makoto Naegi pummeled Yuri Plisetskey 1036-472, Souma Yukihira obliterated Victor Nikiforov 1293-422, Satoru Fujinuma defeated Sorey 797-570, Kinji Touyama whipped past Seishuu Handa 871-568, Touma Kamijou broke Sadao Mao 917-867 and Tanaka cruised past Izuku Midoriya 877-595.
In Winter Seasonal action, Tanya von Degurechaff prevailed over Shizuka Onimaru 795-676 and Yoshino Koiwai thumped Jasmine 1242-519.
Match Day 19 of the 2017 International Saimoe League is scheduled for May 15, 2017. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.
Salvador Sobral Wins Eurovision 2017 For Portugal
Portugal have won the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 for the first time.
The country came out on top after 53 years with its contestant Salvador Sobral and his song Amar Pelos Dois after beating Bulgaria and Moldova in a close final.
Despite Italy being the bookies’ favourite to win Salvador proved hugely popular in the jury and public vote and ended on a huge 758 points.
Speaking on winning, he said: “We live in a world of disposable music and I think this could be a victory for people who make music that actually means something.
“Music is feeling so let’s bring music back which is really what matters.”
The UK finished in 15th place with 111 points, its highest placement in a long time, after Lucie Jones impressed with her performance of Never Give Up On You.
But the song was mocked by song who joked that the song title was “ironic” in the wake of Brexit.
This year’s contest also saw Israel make the shock announcement that they will no longer take part in the wake of their TV channel IBA closing down.
Israeli representative Ofer Shalom broke the news as he gave Israel’s jury votes.
He said: “This is IBA, Channel 1 calling from Jerusalem. For the past 44 years, Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, winning three times.
“But tonight, is our final night, shortly IBA will shut down its broadcasting forever, so on behalf of all of us here in IBA, let me say thank you Europe for all the magical moments and the beautiful years.
“And hopefully we shall meet again in the future.”
Last year saw the Ukraine's Jamala triumph with her song, 1944, bringing the contest to her homeland, however, it Salvador Sobral from Portugal ensured that the competition wouldn't be returning in 2018.
Taking to the stage to sing his emotional track, Amar Pelos Dois, the 27-year-old singer blew the competition away, as he lived-up to his title of bookies favourite - garnering huge praise AND votes.
Capping off his dramatic and emotional performance at the International Exhibition Centre in Kiev, the Portuguese star ended a 53-year draught and brought home his nation's first EVER victory in Eurovision.
With 26 countries from across the continent having made the final cut for the grand spectacle in the Ukraine, there was certainly plenty of entertainment on the night.
Originally the favourites to waltz away with the 2017 trophy were Italy's Francesco Gabbani and Sweden's Robin Bengtsson, however, they were beaten to the grand prize by the late comer to the top table.
Joining the ranks of the great, the good and the err... memorable, Salvador finds himself immortalised in a diverse pantheon of pop stars.
Back in 1956, the very first winner of the competition was Swiss singer Lys Assia with Refrain.
And the competition has had its fair share of A-List talent gracing its stage, as ABBA took home the price for Sweden in 1974 with the iconic Waterloo.
Recent winners include the likes of Austria's Conchita Wurst in 2014 and Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow in 2015.
And it just wasn't the fight for the top spot which captivated viewers at home, as some of the acts were more notable for other reasons...
Kicking off the competition was Israel's entry IMRI, who was widely mocked by viewers for not being able to sing; fortunately for the 25-year-old he came up trumps in the looks department.
One fan went as far as to say: "He can get in my bed, as long as he NEVER sings to me."
Meanwhile Italy's act weren't immune to the public's all-seeing eye, with many noting that Francesco's colourful backing singers looked more like a Star Trek away team.
Though perhaps the strangest thing to appear on stage all night came from Austria, whose entry Nathan Trent appeared to be doing his best impression of the Dreamwork's mascot - appearing on stage all in white sat in a moon.
The UK's entry, Lucie Jones, managed to bowl over fans at home and at the Gran Final in Kyiv, with her "flawless" performance.
Taking to the stage with the soaring and emotional ballad, Never Give Up On You, the 25-year-old singer and model gave fans at home in the United Kingdom cause for hope with her powerful performance.
"Finally. A uk performance to be proud of," tweeted Robert Howells following Lucie's song, while another fan agreed with host Graham Norton's summary, simply writing: "Flawless!!!!"
And it seemed that Lucie utterly blew away her home crowd, as that was just the start of the praise.
"A million times more talented than anyone else on that stage tonight. Just brilliant," gushed another happy fan.
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