by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed




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

The Croatian national final, “Dora 2026”, will take place tomorrow, Sunday, February 15, 2026, featuring 16 contestants. The winner of this local competition will represent Croatia 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 Croatia?

Avi Zaikaner: First Place – Lelek – “Andromeda”

The members of Lelek do not bring another predictable Balkan ballad, but something far more interesting. They blend traditional ethno‑pop with a modern, clean production, creating a sound that feels both deep and rooted — yet completely contemporary. The melody is powerful and sweeping, built gradually and exploding at just the right moment. The arrangement is rich with layered vocals and harmonies that give it an almost ceremonial feel. The lyrics are also non‑routine — they speak about war, trauma and intergenerational pain from a female, maternal perspective.

Here we have a combination that works extremely well for the Eurovision stage: a clear local identity, a strong story, and a chorus that is instantly catchy. If this song reaches Eurovision, I truly believe it has the potential to achieve a very high placement.

Ofek Jerassi: First Place – Irma – “Ni Traga”

Croatia’s national selection is relatively strong, but far too many favorites were eliminated in the semi‑finals. In first place for me is Irma with her song “Ni Traga.” This is a genuine Balkan ballad, subtle and not over‑the‑top like the entries from the usual favorites Lelek, who once again bring a song whose connection to the Balkans feels incidental and that is packed with politics and Woke statements. Let’s hope for a surprise — I’m not optimistic.

Shahar (Chacha) Asido: First Place – Lana Mandarić – “Tama”

The song by Lana Mandarić definitely caught my attention. It’s not the best song in the selection, but it is clearly the best one on offer. What surprised me most was its choreography, which felt groundbreaking and very pleasant to watch. Assuming the choreography from the music video stays in place for the Eurovision performance if she is chosen, it will add a lot to the staging and make the act look much more polished.

Aviad Berger: First Place – Ananda – “Dora”

To be honest, I approached the Croatian national selection with low expectations, but as I listened to the songs I was simply amazed. Wow, Croatia — what a selection! There are several entries here that could take Croatia very high in the contest, and quite a few songs have already entered my personal playlist and will definitely stay there. At the top, without a doubt, is Ananda’s “Dora.” What a song! What a chill! What powerful vocals! Sorry, but in my opinion, if the performance is successful, this act could win Eurovision. Good luck, Croatia — don’t fail!

 

Adiel Shtainmetz: First Place – Ananda – “Dora”

Finally, a strong national selection! One of the best I’ve seen this season, with many powerful songs and a wide range of styles. Despite the high quality of the entries, the sound quality during the live show was poor, so my ranking was decided mainly by the studio versions. In first place I put Ananda, who competed last year and whose song I already liked back then. Although I also enjoyed her previous entry, there is no doubt that this year she has a much better song — and one that is far more suitable for the Eurovision stage. It’s a special, non‑routine, and very powerful track. Unfortunately, Lelek will most likely win the final — I’d be happy to be wrong!

Talor Fishler: First Place – Lima Len – “Raketa”

It’s hard to understand how, after two semi‑finals, 16 contestants are still left, which makes this final quite exhausting. Amid all that overload, the song “Raketa” stands out as the most successful and appropriate choice. There is no attempt here to over‑complicate things; it’s simply a fun, refreshing track that wakes up the competition. Beyond the upbeat Eurodance vibe, the song humorously celebrates simple pleasures in life, such as good food and guilt‑free relationships about extra kilos. Its light‑hearted message against diet culture, combined with a rhythm that simply won’t let you stay still, is exactly what was missing from this evening to turn it into a real party.

Neta Geffen: First Place – Lelek – “Andromeda”

Wow! Wow! And again — wow! The Croatian national selection is exactly what I’ve been waiting for all season, with a wide range of songs that I can easily imagine on the Eurovision stage in Vienna. Out of all of them, I chose “Andromeda”, which in my eyes is the diamond of Eurovision 2026. Here we have a stunning combination of vocal power, dramatic production, and an atmosphere that bewitches you from the very first note. The chorus soars to emotional heights, and the performance manages to blend feeling, precision, and charisma without a single wasted moment. With the right, accurate and clever staging, this song could not only bring Croatia back to the final, but also take Eurovision itself.

Oscar Diefenthal: First Place – Lana Mandarić – “Tama”

Croatia, as every year, brings us pop‑Eurodance that enters the summer playlist already in February, and this year one song in particular not only made it into my summer playlist, but also became my absolute favorite of the entire selection: Lana Mandarić with “Tama”. She delivers a classic pop track that strongly reminds me of Croatia 2021, and one that I’ll be playing non‑stop. She brings the full package — a song and a performance already at Eurovision‑level quality in the local final. For me, she is already the winner of the Croatian national selection.

 

Rachel Geron: First Place – Lima Len – “Raketa”

My personal winner is Lima Len, admittedly a serious troll, but exactly the kind of troll this year is missing. The vocal performance is good, which already makes it stand out above recent years’ pure novelty entries. With more precise staging, this is a song I could find myself eagerly waiting to appear on the final night. In short, in a season as sleepy as this one, this track could give us three minutes of a refreshing gust of wind.

Maor Heumann: First Place – Ema Bubić – “Vrijeme Za Nas”

From this high‑quality selection, I choose the beautiful ballad by Ema Bubić, which, together with the stunning nature footage in the music video, manages to rise above the kitsch and become more than just another love song that overcomes all obstacles and blooms against all odds. Will that also be the story of this song? I hope so, but the chances are slim.

Avi Ofek Shahar Aviad Adiel Talor Neta Oscar Rachel Maor Results
Ananda 2 7 8 12 12 10 10 3 6 6 76
Irma 10 12 10 5 6 6 6 6 61
Lana Mandaric 7 5 12 1 7 2 12 10 1 57
Lelek 12 3 6 7 12 4 8 52
Noelle 2 6 8 8 4 5 10 2 5 50
Lara Demarin 5 8 10 2 4 5 10 44
Lima Len 1 4 12 8 1 12 3 41
Ema Bubic 3 10 7 7 1 12 40
Sergej 4 5 3 5 3 7 27
ToMa 3 10 7 3 2 25
Ritam Noir 1 4 1 3 3 8 20
Alan Duras 6 6 1 2 5 20
Stela Rade 8 4 4 2 2 20
Cold Snap 8 1 4 4 17
Devin 2 7 7 16
Marko Kultic 1 8 5 14

All Participants of Dora 2026 Final