Heading for the Mediterranean now to review Cyprus, Greece and Israel. In the interest of full disclosure, I am of Greek heritage, but I’ll try not to show any favoritism. After all, you can’t vote for your own country. I don’t know much about Cyprus. While hanging out at a tiny Copenhagen jazz club, my husband and I sat next to an athlete from the Cyprus taekwondo team. He was a really nice guy, but he smoked too much. Come to think of it, so did everyone else.

FYI, Israel is eligible to compete in Eurovision because they are part of the EBU, European Broadcasting Union, along with other, non-European countries. Sure wish the USA could join so I could vote in the competition.

Ivi Adamou is representing Cyprus with the dance song, La La Love

Cyprus’ official Eurovision video is a Snow White story that gets 7 thumbs down from me for not including the Seven Dwarfs. Anyway, this live performance is far better and lets us experience her actual talent. It’s a catchy, fun tune and she’s got a good, strong voice. Not a great, strong voice. But many a competition has been won by a pretty, leggy woman with a good voice. The song itself is the kind of dance tune I’d like on my iPod.

Eleftheria Eleftheriou is representing Greece with the dance song, Aphrodisiac

Hot, leggy babe with a good voice. I’m sensing a pattern. Another catchy, fun tune, this one with a traditional-sounding hook, giving the song the flavor of the country, which I like. I think I was mostly impressed with the dancers having to support those 5-inch stilettos on their backs. I liked this, but I didn’t love it.

Izabo is representing Israel with the rock song, Time

I enjoyed this video. I like the Cirque du Soleil theme. I like the band, too, and the song. It’s got a great, high-energy pop/rock vibe. I would have liked it more if my friend, Markku, hadn’t pointed out how similar the hook is to Abba’s Nina Pretty Ballerina. Not identical, but too close for comfort. It’s like those hidden cat photos. Once you see it, your eyes go right to it. I can’t listen to this song without also hearing “Nina.”

Of these three countries, Cyprus is the winner for me.

These videos are from the list of Eurovison 2012 contestants on YouTube.