Vienna 2015, 60th ESC 40 For 40: Loic Nottet "Rhythm Inside"

The Vienna 2015 60th Anniversary ESC 40 For 40 continues. Up next, my 'review' of Loic Nottet (pictured), with "Rhythm Inside" (Belgium).

Of the 40 entries, I felt like I couldn't get into this one. Too mainstream, and he sounds like Justin Bieber. I'm sure that among Europeans who will watch him perform in the first semifinal on May 19, Beliebers and those who find him 'sexy' will vote for him to make it to the grand final, which is sad. This song is not special, and is the bottom of the 40 entries this year. Sorry folks. That's my opinion.

Up next: Giannis Karagiannis "One Thing That I Should Done"

Remember, skipped Austria and saved it for last.

Copenhagen 2014 Reviews: Axel Hirsoux "Mother"

Andres Cantor representing Belgium at Copenhagen next month? Nah. However a Cantor likeness by the name of Axel Hirsoux (pictured) will be there with "Mother."

"Mother" is a soft ballad, a really soft ballad. It is good, but the vocals are okay. It is near feminine (almost toward Tevin Campbell levels). But is good nonetheless. With backing piano, it is a good song nonetheless.

He will perform in the first semifinal on Tuesday 6 May, and will be among the sixteen in that first semifinal. However, with such a tight semifinal, I would say that he could be borderline on qualifying for the grand final on Saturday the 10th. My prediction says that he will most likely miss out on the grand final.

Belgium has had great songs in the past regarding the ESC, such as TELEX "Eurovision" (1980), Emly Starr "Samson" (1981), Liliane St. Pierre "Soldiers of Love" (1987), Xandee Boets "One Life" (2004), and Urban Trad "Sanomi" (2003), as well as the 1986 winning song "J'aime La Vie" by a then 13 year old Sandra Kim, the youngest winner in ESC history at Bergen. They are all just to name a few. However this song here is a good song, but a better song than last year's entry, "Love Kills" by Roberto Bellarosa. End of story.

Up next: Tanja Mihhailova "Amazing."

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Belgium

110 days until the opening ceremonies until Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Belgium.

Belgium has participated in the just about every winter Olympic games--except Squaw Valley 1960 and Grenoble 1968. Five medals have been won by Belgian athletes in the winter games, including a gold medal.

The lone Belgian winter Olympics gold came at St. Moritz 1948, when Pierre Baugniet and Micheline Lannoy won the mixed pairs event gold.

As of now, five quota spots are up for grabs for Sochi on behalf of Belgium, including four in various speed skating events.

Up next: Bermuda

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Roberto Bellarosa "Love Kills"

My Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' series continues with Roberto Bellarosa and "Love Kills."

Here's an Italian singer who will represent Belgium this year in Malmo, and this is a track that is great. Take a listen:

My final jury: it should compete in the grand final. It has a great beat, and a great feeling, something lacked in the representatives of Lithuania, Norway, Turkey and Moldova last year.

I also think this is better than Iris' "Would You?" from last year, even though I don't mind that track.

Up next: a review of Stoyan Yankulov & Elitsa Todorova "Samo Shampioni."

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Belgium

189 days until London! Next up on the parade of nations: Belgium (BEL).

When you think of Belgium in sport, there aren't that many personalities out there-except Kim Clijsters, of course. But there's a legend in Belgian sport that deserved his own limelight for the years of excellence, and his name was Hubert van Innis.

van Innis (1866-1961) was an excellent archer, who won six of the country's 42 gold medals. At Paris 1900, he scored gold in the 33m Cordon Dore and chapelet. Years later at Antwerp in 1920, he scored four golds in the 28m and 33m moving bird and 33m and 50m team, all in his own backyard.

The country hosted the 1920 summer Olympics (Antwerp) and has been at the party since the first modern Olympics of 1896.

Overall, 155 medals were won by Belgian athletes-including 42 gold, as well as 55 silver and 58 bronze medals were won as well.

As of now, 62 athletes will represent the country in 9 sports, mostly athletics and swimming.

Up next: Bermuda