The camera made some choice shots to the audience, focusing on the waving flags of various nations as Apolonija took a small pause after revealing Cosneolta's votes.
Apolonija: We have just successfully gone through 10 nation's lower votes in our quest to find the winner of the contest. For us, that means two-thirds of the votes have been successfully doled out, but we're not out of the woods just yet! It's officially half-time, and this is the moment where we're going to reveal the full scoreboard for the first time tonight. Now, may we have the Phase I results on the screens?
The ensuing reaction just as the scoreboard was reveal was one to go down to the books, seeing the host's name on top of the leaderboard caused the home crowd to erupt in an ear-splitting frenzy of cheers and temporary celebration. Apolonija let the pandemonium slide for a few seconds, knowingly smiling through the brief chaos of it all. At some parts, the camera made a quick trip to the green room, with Anamarija herself shocked to see her nation and her song at the top of the Phase I voting. With the excitement hitting these new peaks at every voting announcement, Apolonija found her opportunity to speak as the crowd finally calmed down.
Apolonija: Alright! Everyone calm down for a moment. Remember, this is only the Phase I result. The votes for Phase II can dramatically alter our current leaderboard, so please keep your eyes and ears sharp.
Apolonija took a deep breath after she said so, preparing herself for the next part.
Apolonija: I'll now reveal to you the nations currently in the top 3. In a tie for 3rd place is Normandy and Picardy and Britonisea with 13 points. In 2nd is Estogium with 14. In 1st and currently in the lead, it's Izmedu with 19 points.
That home cheer couldn't be avoided after Apolonija verbally announced the results.
Apolonija: As we further process the Phase II votes, why don't we take a trip to the green room to have a brief interview with our current lead nation? The cameras should be rolling there now. Anamarija, are you there?
The broadcast image was then split into two as there was now an image of a camera nearby the Izmeduan delegation (some familiar faces could be seen, Zoran Saldo, Helena Dakovic, Arijana Kovac, Luka dosen, etc., that were rallying around Anamarija), with Anamarija holding a microphone and in complete shock of how the results transpired so far. Perhaps a bit too much in the moment, she nodded to Apolonija as a response.
Apolonija: I know it's going to be a bit difficult, but how do you feel right now?
The microphone on Anamarija's side was turned on and her shock and surprise was now audible. She realized this and smiled to the camera and to the hostess.
Anamarija: I... I am in complete shock right now. Just... I'm so happy to see that the song I wrote and sang tonight managed to be loved enough to garner this many points. I'm happy to see that the World Hit Festival community has taken it on board. It feels... I can't even describe it, just thank you so much...
Apolonija: I'm glad to hear! What would you like to say to the voters?
Anamarija: Just... Thank you... If there was a way for me to show my gratefulness on camera I would but... Thank you.
Apolonija: What would you like to say to the rest of the nations here?
Anamarija: I'd just like to say, I love every nation that has come through and shared this stage with us. Everyone went through their own path to get here, and I've met some of the loveliest people because of this contest. I love you all, and no matter what happens tonight, we'll always be doing the one thing we love; music.
Apolonija: Thank you very much Anamarija. Alright, it's time to move onto the final part of our evening, Phase II of the voting!
The camera returned back to the main stage at the end of the brief interview. This was where the climax of the show would begin, the one remaining home stretch before the cameras stopped rolling and the lights in the arena were off. Only 10 sets of 5 points stand before now and the reveal of the winner of the 29th World Hit Festival.
Apolonija: We will go through each nation one more time and ask who they gave their maximum 5 points to, with the order being determined during Phase I that is meant to maximize and cloud the true winner for as long as possible. Unlike Phase I, the national spokesperson will be the one to announce these points and we will also have a scoreboard that will actively track these votes. So, for those prepared to keep track, we have you covered. Of course, let's make sure our signals are working. May we have every spokesperson on the screens?
The 10 spokespersons appeared on the background screens in the order they were going to present their votes. Starting from Polkopia to the left ending with Izmedu's spokesperson to the extreme right, and disappearing from view after 5 seconds (ample time for the spokespeople to wave their hands to the audience). Observers during this time will have tried their best to note down who came after who, but the spokespeople almost seemed to disappear just as fast they came onto the screen.
Apolonija: Alright! We should have no problems multiverse-wide. Folks, this is it. These last remaining 50 points could decide the fate of your country. Remember, each set of 5 points can move your nation dramatically in the leaderboard, even upsetting the current order. Some nations may have a long road ahead, while some will be fighting to maintain their place. Regardless of what happens, remember that we stand here for one reason: to celebrate music.
A crowd cheer here after that brief reminder, some levity in the increasing tension and excitement in the arena.
Apolonija: Let's begin Phase II of the voting! The first nation up is Polkopia.
Apolonija: We have just successfully gone through 10 nation's lower votes in our quest to find the winner of the contest. For us, that means two-thirds of the votes have been successfully doled out, but we're not out of the woods just yet! It's officially half-time, and this is the moment where we're going to reveal the full scoreboard for the first time tonight. Now, may we have the Phase I results on the screens?
The ensuing reaction just as the scoreboard was reveal was one to go down to the books, seeing the host's name on top of the leaderboard caused the home crowd to erupt in an ear-splitting frenzy of cheers and temporary celebration. Apolonija let the pandemonium slide for a few seconds, knowingly smiling through the brief chaos of it all. At some parts, the camera made a quick trip to the green room, with Anamarija herself shocked to see her nation and her song at the top of the Phase I voting. With the excitement hitting these new peaks at every voting announcement, Apolonija found her opportunity to speak as the crowd finally calmed down.
Apolonija: Alright! Everyone calm down for a moment. Remember, this is only the Phase I result. The votes for Phase II can dramatically alter our current leaderboard, so please keep your eyes and ears sharp.
Apolonija took a deep breath after she said so, preparing herself for the next part.
Apolonija: I'll now reveal to you the nations currently in the top 3. In a tie for 3rd place is Normandy and Picardy and Britonisea with 13 points. In 2nd is Estogium with 14. In 1st and currently in the lead, it's Izmedu with 19 points.
That home cheer couldn't be avoided after Apolonija verbally announced the results.
Apolonija: As we further process the Phase II votes, why don't we take a trip to the green room to have a brief interview with our current lead nation? The cameras should be rolling there now. Anamarija, are you there?
The broadcast image was then split into two as there was now an image of a camera nearby the Izmeduan delegation (some familiar faces could be seen, Zoran Saldo, Helena Dakovic, Arijana Kovac, Luka dosen, etc., that were rallying around Anamarija), with Anamarija holding a microphone and in complete shock of how the results transpired so far. Perhaps a bit too much in the moment, she nodded to Apolonija as a response.
Apolonija: I know it's going to be a bit difficult, but how do you feel right now?
The microphone on Anamarija's side was turned on and her shock and surprise was now audible. She realized this and smiled to the camera and to the hostess.
Anamarija: I... I am in complete shock right now. Just... I'm so happy to see that the song I wrote and sang tonight managed to be loved enough to garner this many points. I'm happy to see that the World Hit Festival community has taken it on board. It feels... I can't even describe it, just thank you so much...
Apolonija: I'm glad to hear! What would you like to say to the voters?
Anamarija: Just... Thank you... If there was a way for me to show my gratefulness on camera I would but... Thank you.
Apolonija: What would you like to say to the rest of the nations here?
Anamarija: I'd just like to say, I love every nation that has come through and shared this stage with us. Everyone went through their own path to get here, and I've met some of the loveliest people because of this contest. I love you all, and no matter what happens tonight, we'll always be doing the one thing we love; music.
Apolonija: Thank you very much Anamarija. Alright, it's time to move onto the final part of our evening, Phase II of the voting!
The camera returned back to the main stage at the end of the brief interview. This was where the climax of the show would begin, the one remaining home stretch before the cameras stopped rolling and the lights in the arena were off. Only 10 sets of 5 points stand before now and the reveal of the winner of the 29th World Hit Festival.
Apolonija: We will go through each nation one more time and ask who they gave their maximum 5 points to, with the order being determined during Phase I that is meant to maximize and cloud the true winner for as long as possible. Unlike Phase I, the national spokesperson will be the one to announce these points and we will also have a scoreboard that will actively track these votes. So, for those prepared to keep track, we have you covered. Of course, let's make sure our signals are working. May we have every spokesperson on the screens?
The 10 spokespersons appeared on the background screens in the order they were going to present their votes. Starting from Polkopia to the left ending with Izmedu's spokesperson to the extreme right, and disappearing from view after 5 seconds (ample time for the spokespeople to wave their hands to the audience). Observers during this time will have tried their best to note down who came after who, but the spokespeople almost seemed to disappear just as fast they came onto the screen.
Apolonija: Alright! We should have no problems multiverse-wide. Folks, this is it. These last remaining 50 points could decide the fate of your country. Remember, each set of 5 points can move your nation dramatically in the leaderboard, even upsetting the current order. Some nations may have a long road ahead, while some will be fighting to maintain their place. Regardless of what happens, remember that we stand here for one reason: to celebrate music.
A crowd cheer here after that brief reminder, some levity in the increasing tension and excitement in the arena.
Apolonija: Let's begin Phase II of the voting! The first nation up is Polkopia.
