Slovenia decides last two finalists at EMA FRES Final

RTVSLO have changed the concept for its national selection; EMA this year by introducing a format to allow two unknown, Slovene artists with entries a chance to perform in the EMA Grand Final alongside ten, established singers including Tinkara Kovač (ESC 2014) and Lina Kuduzović (JESC 2015). 

The results

EMA 2020 has already been a jam-packed line-up of broadcasts as the preselection phase: EMA FREŠ comes to a close. We saw ten, un-established Slovene artists and bands with entries compete for the final two slots in the EMA Grand Final to be broadcasted on 22 February.

Tonight’s winners were decided with one entrant chosen via. the Slovene public and the other through jurors selected by Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO.

Tonight’s running order and winners (in bold): 

  1. Stella – Ne vem, če sem v redu (EN: I don’t know if I’m okay )
  2. Younite – The Cure
  3. Alfirev – Črno bela lika (EN: Black and white character)
  4. Klarity – Diham (EN: I’m Breathing)
  5. Marmoris – Moj pristan (EN: My Wharf)
  6. Saška – Še kar lovim tvoj nasmeh (EN: I’m still chasing your smile)
  7. Pia Nina – Tukaj in zdaj (EN: Here and Now)
  8. Lana Hrvatin – Dream
  9. Parvani Violet – Cupid
  10. Astrid in Avantgarden – Sing to Me

How it happened

EMA FREŠ saw eighteen entries that were selected initially for which RTVSLO revealed them through ‘daily duels’ commencing from 4th November to 20th November. The general public was allowed to vote online for their preferred entry to go through to the EMA FREŠ: Weekly finals.

The next stage of the competition saw three-way duels between the remaining nine entrants with two winners in each three-way duel. The public would vote for one winner whereas a handful of local jurors would selected the second. Granting us six of the eight finalists for EMA FREŠ:

1st-week FREŠ qualifiers:

  • Stella – Ne vem, če sem v redu (EN: I don’t know if I’m okay )
  • Younite – The Cure

2nd-week FREŠ qualifiers:

  • Klarity – Diham (EN: I’m Breathing)
  • Parvani Violet – Cupid

3rd-week FREŠ qualifiers:

  • Saška – Še kar lovim tvoj nasmeh (EN: I’m still chasing your smile)
  • Marmoris – Moj pristan (EN: My Wharf)

The remaining four slots were granted via. a second chance style-show incorporating six two-way duels from the eliminated twelve entrants with only one victor from each duel. These six entrants then competed during the EMA FREŠ: ‘Second Chance’ final for which two final three-way duels decided the final four entrants to complete to be recognised as an established singer in their own right.

1st-week FREŠ Second Chance qualifiers:

  • Pia Nina – Tukaj in zdaj (EN: Here and Now)
  • Alfirev – Črno bela lika (EN: Black and white character)

2nd-week FREŠ Second Chance qualifiers:

  • Lana Hrvatin – Dream
  • Astrid in Avantgarden – Sing to Me