Eurovision Song Contest: ESC commentator is “confident” for Germany

ARD commentator Thorsten Schorn is confident that Germany’s contribution “Baller” is very well received at the Eurovision Song Contest. “When I look at how the song shot up in the viral charts, it makes me optimistic,” said the 49-year-old of the German press agency.

He often hears “Baller” in the young radio programs. “When I look at the field of participants, the song is clearly one of the most modern.”

Germany will compete with the pop duo Abor & Tynna at the ESC final in Switzerland on May 17, which was largely selected by moderator Stefan Raab. The song of the siblings (“Baller”) is a German-speaking, electrical pop number with a striking chorus (“I ballalalalalalalal holes in the night”). Mentor Raab has explained the ESC victory to the goal.

A bit like Nina Chuba and Ski Aggu

Nevertheless, there are also doubts as to whether it can really be enough for the top. Germany has had to take a considerable number of deep blows at the ESC in recent years. The last or penultimate places have been hailing since 2015. Lightblows were only Michael Schulte in 2018 (4th place) and last year the singer Isaak (12th place).

Schorn nevertheless spreads optimism with a view to the song “Baller”. “He also excellently represents the kind of music that is very popular with us, for example from Nina Chuba or Ski Aggu,” said the Cologne moderator. “And I think that is good when every country has its own musical facet at ESC, something – if you like – folkloristic. That makes the appeal to see how Europe is ticking musically.” Of course, music is always a matter of taste, he added.

Successor of Peter Urban

Schorn succeeded the commentator legend Peter Urban last year. He became known, among other things, as a reporter on “Stern TV” (RTL) and as a voice of the Vox styling show “Shopping Queen”.

“After the last ESC, people approached me on the street and just thanked me for a nice evening,” he reported. “I don’t want to know what’s going on when we win again.”