There’s something about the Balkan Nations. It’s not just pride in their nation or their culture, but also their language. You often see it in their Eurovision songs. They don’t always deliver Eurovision entries in their own language or their culture mixed in but they do more often than most nations. They really know how to stand out.
This year, these three Balkan entries are all predominantly in their own language and one entry meshes culture with their song. Here are my reviews of three of the Balkan nations:
CROATIA
Song: “Andromeda”
Performer: Lelek
Croatia’s HRT usually has the national final Dora to decide its Eurovision entry and they did it again in 2026. It consisted of two semifinals of twelve each to determine the sixteen qualifiers for the final. For the final, it was a 50/50 mix of juries and popular vote. Jury scoring was a mix of four national juries representing four regions of Croatia and four international juries from four European nations. The big winner that night was decided to be the vocal groups Lelek with the song “Andromeda.” Lelek are a five-woman vocalist group from Zagreb whose style of music and vocals mix pop music with traditional ethnic sounds.
The song “Andromeda” is completely in Croatian. The song goes back to a time when Croatians were enslaved during the Ottoman empire centuries ago. The song is about generational trauma and Croatian women finding resilience and their identity. The song begins slow and mysterious and becomes more dramatic as it reaches the first chorus. The women alternate in singing verses with them coming together at the chorus. The second chorus is when the boldest of the signing along with the biggest intensity and it keeps that energy and mystery of the song happening until the end. I think this entry has the most culture in the song. Incredible to listen to.
ESC Chances:
Croatia has had a mixed result this decade. They had their best ever finish in 2024 but have also missed out on the Grand Final three times including last year’s Contest. This song and the group have what it takes to qualify and win the crowds but they will all have to be dead on with their vocals and the performance needs to be staged right. Culture is often welcomed at Eurovision but doing it right makes all the difference.
MONTENEGRO
Song: “Nova Zora”
Performer: Tamara Zivkovic
For only their second Eurovision participation in the 2020’s, Montenegro’s RTCG again held their Montesong Contest with the winner and winning song decided Decmber 21, 2025. The event consisted of a single final of 15 songs with both a national jury of five and and public vote from both Montenegrin and International voters ro decide the winner. In the end, Tamara Zivkovic and her song “Nova zora” was declared the winner. The 26-year old Zivkovic hails from the town of Kotor and is both a singer and flautist who has been performing since age 14. She has competed in many Balkan talent contests like Pinkove Zvezdice, Zvezde Granda and last year’s Montesong. She is one of few Eurovision contestants this year who’s also a student. She is currently a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Arts in Belgrade.
The song “Nova zora” is in Montenegrin with only the bridge line in English. The title means ‘a new dawn.’ The song is written by Boris Subotic who also wrote Montenegro’s entry from last year. The song is about the singer finding a new world of hope and self-confidence after leaving her toxic boyfriend. The song opens with an intense mood. Soon the song goes into a dance tempo with the backup singers frequently singing. The song never loses its energy and it grows throughout the song. Tamara and her backup singers do a great job in their singing. It’s good that we have a song like this especially since we have a lot of misogyny preachers like Andrew Tate and Nick Fuentes making headlines.
ESC Chances:
Montenegro is arguably the hardest of hard-luck nations at Eurovision. Thirteen previous entries since they debuted in 2007 and only two qualifying for the Grand Final. This song is already better than last year’s entry. I can see it being worthy of the Grand Final. However this will need to have the right staging and the right back-up singers for this song. Also the singers will have to step up their dancing. Being in the same semifinal with Croatia and Serbia can give it a well-needed points boost but it will need to score well with the other nations too.
SERBIA
Song: “Kraj Mene”
Performer: Lavina
After getting their worst finish ever at last year’s Contest, there was some question if RTS would have Serbia compete in 2026, but it will happen. Pesma za Eveoviziju 2026 was held to decide the winning song. The ‘trials’ consisted over a period of five days with two semifinals deciding seven qualifiers each for the Final. The Final was decided as half-jury and half-televote. The unanimous winner was the band Lavina with the song “Kraj mene.” Lavina are a progressive metal band formed in Nis. The band is fronted by the Arandelovic brothers, Luka and Pavle. They released their first album in 2022 of English-language songs and have performed at music festivals throughout Europe.
Their Eurovision song “Kraj mene” is their first single in their native Serbian and the title means ‘beside me.’ The song, which was written by all six band members with Ivan Jegdic, is about a troubled relationship that leaves him feeling empty. The song begins slow, but dramatic and intense. That vibe continues to the end of the first verse. Then the song explodes in loudness and intensity in the chorus. The song returns to slow and dramatic in the second verse and the loudness returns with the chorus. The singer’s vocals are something else. This is an entry that will shock you but for the best reasons. Definitely a change of pace for Serbia and the Contest.
ESC Chances:
Serbia has normally had no problem in making it to the Grand Final. Last year was not only the fourth time ever they failed to qualify but it achieved its worst finish ever. It’s obvious with this song, Serbia wants to do something very different. Metal is very complicated to do at Eurovision. Metal is loved by many Europeans but very rarely gets a warm reception at Eurovision. Hopefully their performance has what it takes to win the Eurofans over.
And there you have it. Those are my reviews of three Eurovision songs from Balkan Nations. Interesting all three of them will be in the first SemiFinal! Will it be a boost for all three of them? We’ll see.
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