by Ofek Jerassi Comment Closed




Members of the Euromix editorial team convened to vote for the competing songs in Pesma Za Evroviziju 2026. Who should represent Serbia at Eurovision 2026 according to the editorial team?

The Serbian national final, “Pesma Za Evroviziju 2026”, will take place tomorrow, Saturday, February 28, 2026, featuring 14 contestants. The winner of this local competition will represent Serbia 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 Serbian national final.

 

Editorial Picks: Who Should Represent Serbia?

Avi Zaikaner: First Place – Zejna – “Jugoslavija”

Zejna enters the national selection with an emotionally charged song titled “Yugoslavia” – a name that evokes a complex historical memory across the Balkan states. Yugoslavia was a country that split in the 1990s into several independent states, including Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The song deals with unity between opposites and with connections that bridge divides – a fusion of contrasts, a choice of togetherness over separation, and of hope over destruction. At the same time, the very use of the name “Yugoslavia” carries significant emotional weight for many in the region, adding an extra layer of depth beyond the love story it tells. Ultimately, beyond the symbolic meaning, this is a musically very strong entry: a catchy melody, powerful arrangement, and an excellent vocal performance. In my view, it is the most striking and best song in the national final.

Ofek Jerassi: First Place – Zejna – “Jugoslavija”

The Serbian national selection has let me down when it comes to the level of the songs. Usually, it represents Balkan culture much more accurately, and it seems that this year it fell into the templates that Eurovision fans love. I’m ready to forgive the Serbians if they send Zejna with her song “Jugoslavija”. Zejna was my favorite in every Serbian national final that she participated in, and this year she doesn’t disappoint as well – only that this year she doesn’t come as an underdog but the definite favorite of the night. Her song sounds really Swedish compared to the other ones she sent, but it somehow works for me. As a guy who admires Balkan and Yugoslavian culture, I really liked the lyrics and the metaphors in the chorus. So, as Zejna said, let’s unite – and wish Zejna good luck in the national final and the whole Eurovision 2026! Želim ti sreću Zejna, idemo Srbija!

Adiel Shtainmetz: First Place – Zejna – “Jugoslavija”

Unfortunately, the level of the Serbian national selection has been declining in the past two years, which is a real shame. In first place, by a huge margin over the rest, I chose Zejna with the song “Jugoslavija.” This year, Zejna absolutely deserves to represent Serbia. It is an excellent, catchy song with staging that is nothing short of stunning. Serbia, please choose her!

Maayan Eli: First Place – Lavina – “Kraj mene”

Let me start by saying that this is simply a perfect song. A dark track that sits on the border between rock and relatively light metal. It carries subtle shades of Count Dracula, a horror movie, and the atmosphere of the early Cradle of Filth albums. It begins slowly and then the intensity rises, with a touch of growling that blends wonderfully with the clean vocals. For me, it is a flawless song that ends abruptly and leaves you wanting more. Choosing Lavina would be the obvious move in my opinion – she is several levels above all the other entries in the selection, and this is an excellent track that could really stand out at Eurovision and delight metal and dark‑music fans like me. It is important to note that it is in Serbian, and I always prefer local languages. I truly hope it gets selected so I can have a clear favorite this year.

 

Talor Fishler: First Place – Brat Pelin – “Fräulein”

I discovered this gem completely by chance while I was listening to the semi‑final in the background, but the moment I looked at the screen it was obvious: you simply cannot ignore Brat Pelin. What does he bring? An upbeat rhythm, a wild mix of languages, a headless bride, a groom in his underwear, and a crazy Balkan party on stage. The song takes Serbian and European culture and cranks them up to a contemporary tempo, blending authentic moments of Serbian music with electronic touches. This is a genuine banger, and I am sure that with this song Serbia could go very far in the contest. I hope you are ready!

Aviad Berger: First Place – Zejna – “Jugoslavija”

I really didn’t connect with the Serbian national selection at all; there isn’t a single song I truly fell in love with, and in general – except for a few specific years – I rarely click with Serbia’s entries. In my opinion, the best song Serbia can send this year is Zejna’s – it is almost the only one I can actually see myself listening to again. Good luck, Serbia.

Neta Geffen: First Place – Zona – “Čairi”

I went with Zona and the song “Čairi.” This is a track with ethnic touches of the kind I really enjoy hearing from the Balkans. Unfortunately, it is still not enough to surpass the Croatian song that has truly captured my heart, but compared with the other entries in the selection, I think it is the most suitable to represent Serbia on the stage in Vienna.

Maor Heumann: First Place – Lavina – “Kraj mene”

The progressive metal band Lavina sings about an especially painful subject: he still loves her and wants her back, but she has already moved on. You can feel the struggle in every fibre of the lead singer’s voice. The band, which is used to singing in English, is releasing its first song in Serbian, hoping that audiences at home – and later across Europe – will be able to relate to and connect with this heavy, unsettling piece. All that is left for me to say is: Lavina to Vienna!

 

Tal Dahan: First Place – Harem Girls x Ivana – “Bom Bom”

The Serbian national selection delivers quite a few nice songs for the playlist each year, and this year is no exception. At the top of my ranking I put Harem Girls x Ivana, not because other songs are unworthy, but simply because this is the track I’ve listened to the most from this line‑up. I really love this style from the Balkans; it reminds me of the amazing group Hurricane with their songs “Hasta La Vista” and “Loco Loco,” and I think it would be very cool to see drag queens coming specifically from this region of Europe.

Oscar Diefenthal: First Place – Harem Girls x Ivana – “Bom Bom”

It is a weak selection in Serbia this year, and yet there is one song that clearly stands above the rest. If you liked Serbia 2021, you will probably also enjoy my favorites, Harem Girls x Ivana with “Bom Bom” – a bombastic track with Balkan flavour and full‑on drag energy that sets the stage and the audience on fire from the very first second. This is exactly the kind of song we are desperately craving – and need – to see at Eurovision this year.

Noy Yehoyada: First Place – Brat Pelin – “Fräulein”

When I watched all the Serbian performances that made the final, there was only one act that really caught my attention – the performance of “Fräulein.” It is a fully ready, Eurovision‑perfect package, with a mesmerizing song that you simply cannot look away from – and that is the goal at Eurovision: to bring interesting songs with entertaining performances. Not to mention that the singer’s vocals are excellent and the music itself is ethnic and varied… just the way it should be.

Talya Raviv: First Place – Iva Grujin – “Otkrivam sebe”

What an excellent national final for Serbia. I really appreciated the fact that the vast majority of songs are in Serbian and keep their ethnic identity, as it has become rare to see selections where this is still the case. Almost all of the entries were strong, and I would be happy with many different winners, but the Balkan ballad by Iva Grujin moved me more than any other. I loved her semi‑final performance, her incredible vocals, and the overall staging she brought, and I wish her the best of luck in the final.

 

Avi Ofek Adiel Maayan Talor Aviad Neta Maor Tal Oscar Noy Talya Results
Zejna 12 12 12 1 8 12 8 10 7 7 1 7 97
Zona 6 6 7 7 5 8 12 5 8 10 10 10 94
Mirna 5 10 8 10 7 2 4 4 6 3 8 6 73
Iva Grujin 8 7 10 4 7 6 7 4 4 12 69
Harem Girls x Ivana 1 2 3 4 10 3 12 12 6 53
Brat Pelin 3 3 2 12 6 10 5 12 53
Lu-Ka 7 3 6 6 10 1 8 5 46
Kosmos Trip 4 5 1 8 10 6 7 41
Ana Masulovic 8 5 1 5 5 2 8 2 2 38
Lavina 2 12 7 12 5 38
Yanx 10 4 6 4 1 1 2 8 36
Jack Lupino 5 2 3 3 6 5 4 4 32
Geminni 1 2 3 2 2 1 3 3 17
Lores 4 1 3 1 9

All Participants of Pesma Za Evroviziju 2026 Final