by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed




Members of the Euromix editorial team convened to vote for the competing songs in Montesong 2025. Who should represent Montenegro at Eurovision 2026 according to the editorial team?

The Montenegrin national final, “Montesong”, will take place today, Sunday, December 21, 2025, featuring 15 contestants. The winner of this local competition will represent Montenegro at Eurovision 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The winner will be determined by a combination of 50% jury votes and 50% public votes. Just before the national final, the Euromix editorial team convened to listen to the participating songs and choose their favorites from the Montenegrin national final.

 

Editorial Picks: Who Should Represent Montenegro?

Avi Zaikaner: First Place – Majda Božović – “Ipak Smo Ljudi”

Montenegro is returning to Eurovision with a national final that offers more variety and slightly higher quality than last year’s selection. However, at this stage it is difficult to identify a song that could realistically qualify for the Eurovision grand final based on the studio version alone. Live performances may well prove decisive and could strengthen some entries’ chances of success. Among the songs, the one that particularly stands out is the track by Majda Božović – an engaging, pleasant song that authentically reflects Montenegro’s musical style, in contrast to some other entries in the selection whose connection to local music feels rather tenuous.

Ofek Jerassi: First Place – Majda Božović – “Ipak Smo Ljudi”

The national final season is starting – how exciting! Montenegro is changing things up and delivering a very strong selection, with contestants that could easily match those in its “big sister” Serbia’s national final. My winner is Majda Božović, who competes with the song “Ipak Smo Ljudi”. The song is an outstanding Balkan-style ballad (my personal soft spot), unfolding in a wonderfully beautiful way. In light of last year’s result, it seems unlikely that Majda will manage to win the ticket, but in Montenegro, as always, outcomes are never predictable, and there is a strong wish to see her on stage in Vienna – qualifying for the final thanks to the restored jury vote, which would likely appreciate this kind of ballad. Good luck to Montenegro!

Shahar (Chacha) Asido: First Place – Majda Božović – “Ipak Smo Ljudi”

There are four songs that really stand out in Montenegro’s selection this year. At the top of the list is Majda Božović with her moving song “Ipak Smo Ljudi”. The track builds very nicely, it is emotional and touching, and at the same time also catchy. For that reason, it seems to have strong potential to stand out in the running order (before watching the live performances from the national final). Although the entry ranked second here is very close behind, there is a great deal of confidence in this song.

Aviad Berger: First Place – Đurđa – “Dominos”

Let’s start with the obvious, and say it anyway: Montenegro, you nailed it! There were no expectations for such a successful national final, yet there are quite a few songs here with genuine potential to reach the Eurovision final. There is still a fair chance that the audience will choose Baryak, following last year’s experience, but well done regardless. First place, without any doubt, belongs to Đurđa. It is not necessarily the most original song in the lineup, and it is quite likely that it has little real chance of being selected, but it is undeniably the one that has captured the heart here. Good luck to everyone!

 

Adiel Shtainmetz: First Place – Tamara Živković – “Nova Zora”

The Montenegrin national final this year is a real treat – a significant improvement compared with last year. Out of a very strong lineup, two songs stood out in particular: “Dominos” by Đurđa and “Nova Zora” by Tamara Živković. After much deliberation, the choice for personal winner goes to Tamara. Her song is completely different from the one she competed with last year: she moves from an emotional ballad to a powerful pop track, constructed in a very distinctive way and, in this view, full of staging potential. Good luck, Montenegro – do not mess this up, there is no shortage of excellent options to choose from!

Maor Heumann: First Place – Luka Radović – “Pjevaj Vilo”

Luka Radović returns with a song that has everything there is to love: guitars, a unique rhythm and a voice that can only be heard in the Balkans. The lyrics speak about the hope that music brings to a world filled with despair, uncertainty and tears. There is a real hope that this song will move Montenegrin viewers in the same way and that it will end up on stage in Vienna.

Tal Dahan: First Place – Tamara Živković – “Nova Zora”

This year’s Montenegrin national selection is a very pleasant surprise, and it would not be surprising if it ends up being the strongest national final of the season. So many of its songs have already made it into personal playlists and fit perfectly with this musical taste. It was difficult to pick just one favourite, but the song that seems most likely to deliver the best result for Montenegro is “Nova Zora” by Tamara Živković – a perfect blend of powerful vocals, a modern, danceable beat, native language, ethnic flavour and explosive intensity. If there are no unexpected mishaps and the staging serves the song well, this track should absolutely take Montenegro to the grand final.

Oscar Diefenthal: First Place – Mila Nikić – “Kao Varnica“

This year’s Montenegrin pre-selection offers a particularly intriguing musical experience, spanning a wide range of styles from catchy pop to traditional music and even some surprising hard rock. Among all the entries, one song rose clearly above the rest and became the personal favourite: the track by Mila Nikić. It is a groovy, fun and infectious pop song that makes it impossible to stay indifferent or sit still while listening, and it strongly recalls Serbia’s 2011 Eurovision entry. In this view, it is a perfect song for the Eurovision stage, with real potential to bring a burst of energy and joy both to the audience in the arena and to viewers at home.

 

Noy Yehoyada: First Place – Mila Nikić – “Kao Varnica“

My winner in the national final is Mila Nikić with her amazing song “Kao Vernica.” The track takes the listener on a journey straight into a disco party – a musical style that has made a serious comeback in recent years and could easily lift Montenegro from the bottom of the Eurovision scoreboard and carry it into the grand final. The song plays cleverly with musical tension, rising and falling throughout, and it begins immediately without any unnecessary intro: it starts out more calmly and then explodes in the chorus, with a section that slightly recalls Serbia’s 2011 entry, but in a more modern and emotionally deeper version. This is the song that most made it impossible to stay seated and merely bounce along in enjoyment (even though most entries in the selection are fantastic), and it genuinely feels like a track that could succeed well beyond the Eurovision stage itself.

Maayan Eli: First Place – Baryak – “Minerva”

The range of genres in Montenegro’s national selection really came as a surprise, and there were several songs that stood out as genuinely strong. It was a tough battle between the song ultimately chosen for first place and “Pjrvaj Vilo” by Luka Radović. On one hand, songs with a more ethnic line are always especially enjoyable to hear at Eurovision; on the other, there is a constant shortage of rock. In the end, “Minerva” by Baryak ranked higher. Baryak have created a distinctive track that sticks in the mind and is simply fun to listen to. It may be repetitive, but it has a dark, industrial charm that is impossible to miss. There is a real fondness for the genre, and the hope is always to see more rock songs making their way onto the Eurovision stage.

Talor Fishler: First Place – Tamara Živković – “Nova Zora”

This year’s Montenegrin selection feels particularly interesting and diverse. Quite a few songs caught the ear, but the choice for number one was clear from the very first listen: Tamara Živković with “Nova Zora.” What makes this track a winner is its precise balance between traditional Montenegrin musical elements and classic Eurovision hallmarks. It is a dynamic, high‑energy song full of memorable, iconic moments, managing to be “weird” in just the right measure – distinctive and intriguing, yet still accessible and perfectly suited to the big Eurovision stage. There is a great deal of musical interest and development throughout, and Tamara’s powerful voice carries the entire, complex structure at a very high level. In an era where everyone is searching for the next great “ethno‑pop” entry, “Nova Zora” delivers exactly the energy and identity Montenegro needs.

Liraz Efraim: First Place – Lara Baltić – “Rhythm Boy”

My choice is the song “Rhythm Boy” by Lara Baltić – a light, upbeat track in English. It is an unusual combination that does not typically come from a country like Montenegro. The song is easy‑going and fun to listen to, and its style is very different from everything heard in the national selection so far. It is great to see this kind of sound represented in the Montenegrin pre‑selection as well, and here’s wishing it the best of luck!

 

Neta Geffen: First Place – Dolce Hera – “Casanova 91”

This year’s Montenegrin national final was approached with zero expectations, and the positive surprise was considerable. Dolce Hera brings an elegant European flavour that feels self‑assured, with clean production and a melody that lodges in the ear from the very first listen. The song strikes a precise balance between drama and restraint, never trying too hard to impress yet simply working very well. The choice to incorporate Italian – the favourite language in Eurovision for this reviewer – is particularly touching, adding depth and a clear identity that sets the track apart from its competitors. It is a piece that respects the Italian tradition of melodic pop while still sounding fresh and relevant.

Talya Raviv: First Place – Majda Božović – “Ipak Smo Ljudi”

In first place, the choice falls on the song performed by Majda Božović. There is something in the combination of a Balkan ballad with her delicate voice that stands out in particular and succeeds in conveying real emotion, even if it seems unlikely that the song will actually win the national final. At the same time, the second‑ranked entry, “Rhythm Boy,” is also seen as a potential winner of the selection, but only if its production is sufficiently polished and ambitious. Unfortunately, once again it is hard to picture Montenegro reaching the Eurovision grand final this year, unless it manages to rise to a serious – yet certainly achievable – challenge: upgrading the visuals, staging and overall production to a large‑scale, high‑impact level that truly does justice to the chosen song.

Avi Ofek Shahar Aviad Adiel Maor Tal Oscar Noy Maayan Talor Liraz Neta Talya Results
Tamara Zivkovic 7 7 8 6 12 10 12 8 10 6 12 2 8 6 114
Majda Bozovic 12 12 12 10 7 7 5 10 2 7 3 5 12 104
Durda 5 10 10 12 10 8 7 2 3 4 3 10 10 7 101
Lara Baltic 1 4 7 8 8 6 10 7 3 12 3 10 79
Luka Radovic 3 5 6 3 12 8 4 5 10 8 8 4 2 78
Lana x Dorde 10 1 5 7 6 6 5 6 8 7 7 6 3 77
Mila Nikic 2 3 5 4 3 12 12 4 8 53
Lana 4 6 2 3 5 3 5 6 5 7 4 50
Kristinja 8 3 4 1 4 5 2 7 4 1 2 41
Dolce Hera 4 6 8 4 12 34
Tina Dzankic 6 2 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 5 1 1 5 31
Baryak 1 2 12 10 25
Neno Muric 8 1 2 6 17
Andrea Demirovic 4 1 1 6
Stefan 2 2

All Participants of Montesong 2025