Sam Ross
@escinsider.bsky.social
Eurovision Insider since 2011. ESCInsight contributor (@escinsight.bsky.social), "12 Points From America" podcast co-creator (@12pointsusa.bsky.social), roving trivia nerd, constantly wanderlusty. She/her.
Reposted by Sam Ross
Hey Ho! Let’s Go: Chasing the Legend of ‘Trenulețul’. @bensvision.bsky.social travels to Moldova's National Final the long way, 14 hours on the train between Bucharest and Chișinău. Here is his report not just on the journey, but also on the significance of this train line, and its Eurovision song.
Hey Ho! Let’s Go: Chasing the Legend of ‘Trenulețul’ from Bucharest to Chișinău
Changing tracks, the history of Moldova in trains and songs (Photo: Ben Robertson: ESC Insight)
escinsight.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Hey Ho! Let’s Go: Chasing the Legend of ‘Trenulețul’. @bensvision.bsky.social travels to Moldova's National Final the long way, 14 hours on the train between Bucharest and Chișinău. Here is his report not just on the journey, but also on the significance of this train line, and its Eurovision song.
Obvious statement is obvious, but fuck ICE.
January 7, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Obvious statement is obvious, but fuck ICE.
Reposted by Sam Ross
France's 248 points are the second most in #JuniorEurovision history, trailing just Poland in 2019.
Her margin of victory - 71 points - is by far the largest ever. This was a *dominant* win.
Her margin of victory - 71 points - is by far the largest ever. This was a *dominant* win.
December 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
France's 248 points are the second most in #JuniorEurovision history, trailing just Poland in 2019.
Her margin of victory - 71 points - is by far the largest ever. This was a *dominant* win.
Her margin of victory - 71 points - is by far the largest ever. This was a *dominant* win.
To be honest, my favorite part of #JuniorEurovision is when all of the contestants flood the stage and join the winner's reprise, basically tackling the champion with hugs and well-wishes. A nice reminder of why we're here.
December 13, 2025 at 6:22 PM
To be honest, my favorite part of #JuniorEurovision is when all of the contestants flood the stage and join the winner's reprise, basically tackling the champion with hugs and well-wishes. A nice reminder of why we're here.
A *decisive* win for France's Lou with "Ce Monde"! Congrats to the delegation, and of course, to the chanteuse herself! #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 6:19 PM
A *decisive* win for France's Lou with "Ce Monde"! Congrats to the delegation, and of course, to the chanteuse herself! #JuniorEurovision
The scream I scrumpt with San Marino and Albania's public scores! So happy for them. #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The scream I scrumpt with San Marino and Albania's public scores! So happy for them. #JuniorEurovision
Jury votes incoming! #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Jury votes incoming! #JuniorEurovision
GIVE US CIRCUS MIRCUS YOU COWARDS. #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
GIVE US CIRCUS MIRCUS YOU COWARDS. #JuniorEurovision
Reposted by Sam Ross
Guys I think something is up with my voting page #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Guys I think something is up with my voting page #JuniorEurovision
18) Albania - Kroni Pula "Fruta perime"...last song of the day, and it's upbeat, catchy, and absolutely perfect for #JuniorEurovision. Eat your fruits and veggies, kids!
December 13, 2025 at 5:24 PM
18) Albania - Kroni Pula "Fruta perime"...last song of the day, and it's upbeat, catchy, and absolutely perfect for #JuniorEurovision. Eat your fruits and veggies, kids!
17) France, Lou Deleuze "Ce monde": Ok, so imagine our beloved Barbara Pravi was shrunken down into #JuniorEurovision size and given a gorgeous ballad about the future. That's basically what we have here, but it's still gorgeous.
December 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
17) France, Lou Deleuze "Ce monde": Ok, so imagine our beloved Barbara Pravi was shrunken down into #JuniorEurovision size and given a gorgeous ballad about the future. That's basically what we have here, but it's still gorgeous.
16) Cyprus: Rafaella and Christos, "Away": The lone duet in today's #JuniorEurovision, 14 year old Rafaella and 12 year old Christos seem plucked from a production of "High School Musical".
December 13, 2025 at 5:18 PM
16) Cyprus: Rafaella and Christos, "Away": The lone duet in today's #JuniorEurovision, 14 year old Rafaella and 12 year old Christos seem plucked from a production of "High School Musical".
15) Georgia: Anita Abgariani "Shine Like a Star" - *Major* vocals out of our home-country representative...can the country do the double? #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
15) Georgia: Anita Abgariani "Shine Like a Star" - *Major* vocals out of our home-country representative...can the country do the double? #JuniorEurovision
14) Spain , Gonzalo Pinillos "Érase una vez (Once Upon a Time)" - Imagine if the theme song to "Reading Rainbow" were performed by the cast of "The Greatest Showman". This is a full-on stage production, and Gonzalo has the experience to carry it! #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
14) Spain , Gonzalo Pinillos "Érase una vez (Once Upon a Time)" - Imagine if the theme song to "Reading Rainbow" were performed by the cast of "The Greatest Showman". This is a full-on stage production, and Gonzalo has the experience to carry it! #JuniorEurovision
13) Portugal: Inês Gonçalves "Para onde vai o amor?" - A simple, delicate ballad about the oh-so-Portuguese feeling of "saudade", a longing, wistful nostalgia for those who have left us. Prepare for misty eyes and sniffles... #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 5:04 PM
13) Portugal: Inês Gonçalves "Para onde vai o amor?" - A simple, delicate ballad about the oh-so-Portuguese feeling of "saudade", a longing, wistful nostalgia for those who have left us. Prepare for misty eyes and sniffles... #JuniorEurovision
12) Italy, Leonardo Giovannangeli, "Rockstar" - We turn up the tempo with Italy! Taking a page from their Eurovision entry, we get subtitles in the background on this one. We don't get a ton of rap at #JuniorEurovision, but Leonardo is serving it with major confidence.
December 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM
12) Italy, Leonardo Giovannangeli, "Rockstar" - We turn up the tempo with Italy! Taking a page from their Eurovision entry, we get subtitles in the background on this one. We don't get a ton of rap at #JuniorEurovision, but Leonardo is serving it with major confidence.
11) Montenegro: Asja Džogović "I tužna i srećna priča" - The third ballad in a row, Montenegro returns to #JuniorEurovision for the first time since 2015. Asja is singing about children growing up in broken homes, or no homes at all.
December 13, 2025 at 4:55 PM
11) Montenegro: Asja Džogović "I tužna i srećna priča" - The third ballad in a row, Montenegro returns to #JuniorEurovision for the first time since 2015. Asja is singing about children growing up in broken homes, or no homes at all.
10) North Macedonia : Nela Mančeska "Miracle" - Despite not being at Eurovision this year, North Macedonia is here at #JuniorEurovision with a gorgeous, introspective ballad with Balkan flair.
December 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
10) North Macedonia : Nela Mančeska "Miracle" - Despite not being at Eurovision this year, North Macedonia is here at #JuniorEurovision with a gorgeous, introspective ballad with Balkan flair.
Reposted by Sam Ross
Had a harrowing moment where I wondered why the Netherlands dancers were wearing the number '98.'
I thought "well, she's a kid, so that's probably just the year she was born."
I did the math. People born in 1998 are 27.
brb, gonna go die
#JuniorEurovision
I thought "well, she's a kid, so that's probably just the year she was born."
I did the math. People born in 1998 are 27.
brb, gonna go die
#JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Had a harrowing moment where I wondered why the Netherlands dancers were wearing the number '98.'
I thought "well, she's a kid, so that's probably just the year she was born."
I did the math. People born in 1998 are 27.
brb, gonna go die
#JuniorEurovision
I thought "well, she's a kid, so that's probably just the year she was born."
I did the math. People born in 1998 are 27.
brb, gonna go die
#JuniorEurovision
Also, they missed a trick by not putting "67" on the jerseys. Instant televote win. #JuniorEurovision.
Had a harrowing moment where I wondered why the Netherlands dancers were wearing the number '98.'
I thought "well, she's a kid, so that's probably just the year she was born."
I did the math. People born in 1998 are 27.
brb, gonna go die
#JuniorEurovision
I thought "well, she's a kid, so that's probably just the year she was born."
I did the math. People born in 1998 are 27.
brb, gonna go die
#JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Also, they missed a trick by not putting "67" on the jerseys. Instant televote win. #JuniorEurovision.
Reposted by Sam Ross
Where will YOU be when indigestion strikes #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Where will YOU be when indigestion strikes #JuniorEurovision
9) Marianna Kłos "Brightest Light". The first in a trio of ballads in the #JuniorEurovision running order, Marianna has soaring vocals to match her raised pedestal-dress. A mini-Elina Nechayeva without the opera?
December 13, 2025 at 4:47 PM
9) Marianna Kłos "Brightest Light". The first in a trio of ballads in the #JuniorEurovision running order, Marianna has soaring vocals to match her raised pedestal-dress. A mini-Elina Nechayeva without the opera?
8) Netherlands: Meadow, "Freeze". Next up is a fun, high-energy bop about...slowing down? Either way, Meadow sells the heck out of it! #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
8) Netherlands: Meadow, "Freeze". Next up is a fun, high-energy bop about...slowing down? Either way, Meadow sells the heck out of it! #JuniorEurovision
7) Ireland: Lottie O'Driscoll Murray "Rúin" - Meaning "Secrets", I love how we get Irish language representation every year at #JuniorEurovision, thanks to broadcaster TG4. This is a classic, elegant ballad, simply staged.
December 13, 2025 at 4:40 PM
7) Ireland: Lottie O'Driscoll Murray "Rúin" - Meaning "Secrets", I love how we get Irish language representation every year at #JuniorEurovision, thanks to broadcaster TG4. This is a classic, elegant ballad, simply staged.
6) Ukraine: Sofiia Nersesian "Motanka" - This song uses the imagery of the Motanka, a handmade ragdoll popular in Ukraine said to protect children in need. Beyond the regional flair, it's also an absolute bop. #JuniorEurovision
December 13, 2025 at 4:34 PM
6) Ukraine: Sofiia Nersesian "Motanka" - This song uses the imagery of the Motanka, a handmade ragdoll popular in Ukraine said to protect children in need. Beyond the regional flair, it's also an absolute bop. #JuniorEurovision