I will confess I have indeed voted twice both times though, once for each track. The first time was to check both options were working (as one side had a rather dramatic lead), and the second time was cos I changed my mind but had already voted, so I ‘revoked’ my vote as it were. (Is there a way to change your mind? The lesson is: don’t rush to judgement)

just askin like…

the options are to ID people by IP/FTcookie or by username. we’re not yet going to insist on logging in to vote, so IP/cookie it is. as it stands duplicate votes are not terribly numerous.

I can exclusively reveal that a well known FT contributor has voted twice on one poll - once for each act. EH??

At the MRS conference today (and yesterday) so not online.

A check of the polls suggests multiple voting by some people, including at least one actual player. Don’t do this pls!

we’ll have to see where the Special One takes them after this, but this is a good opening salvo.

By contrast, I’m not sure the much-fancied Turkey team ever takes off - they’ve taken a leaf from US tactics and I can see what they’re trying to do, but lack that moment of inspiration and the final ball isn’t really there either.

VERDICT - triumph over adversity for the Portuguese.

I like what the Turkish girls are aiming for, not sure if they succeed though: it’s a bit too cheap and cheerful to really work as r&b.

Much better than the last lot though!

Grup Hepsi: Delicious violins, sly and passionate vocals, catchiness, dance beats, the works. As Grand Funk would say, she has the whole show and that’s a natural fact.

Madredeus: Full florid lips, beautiful guitar strums, gentle rhythms with a nice sway but that never fail to walk you home. Very nice.

My vote went to Grup Hepsi, but there are not many others who’d have beaten this Madredeus track.

Meanwhile, one of the Austrian team’s most promising young strikers has been withdrawn from the squad after clarification of their birthplace rendered them ineligible to play. It is a blow for the co-hosts so close to their opening game although the coach is adamant that neither squad morale nor gameplan will be significantly affected. “If anything it eases my selection headache!” piped their coach optimistically.

Difficult to compare like to like, but found the Grup Hepsi a little blander than I expected from Turkey’s usual strong fielding. Could be a victory for the weaker underdog.