In the second semi-final (May 12) of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, ten other participants qualified for the big final show on May 14. Eight artists were eliminated in this round. All 25 acts that will fight for first place on Saturday evening in Turin have now been determined.
Young singers make the race
21-year-old Jeremie Makiese represented Belgium with a gospel/R’n’B number called “Miss You”, which was accompanied by a street dance performance. With that he made it into the final. Australia, which is allowed to take part in the ESC despite not being European, qualified with a young singer: 23-year-old Sheldon Riley performed “Not The Same”, a song about exclusion and autism.
Criticism of the health system will also be seen in the final
The Finnish band The Rasmus (“In The Shadows”) contributed a rocking track. “Jezebel” is the name of the song that also secured the Finns a place in the final. “Thank God there’s a rock band in the final,” frontman Lauri Ylönen is said to have commented on the success. Serbia also brought a political component to the competition with the song “In corpore sano”. According to the Eurovision website, the title is intended to be a criticism of the healthcare system. Appropriately, the singer Konstrakta washed her hands on stage.
Sweden wows the world with “Hold Me Closer”
Cornelia Jakobs’ “Hold Me Closer”, which has been popular all over the world, also made it into the final for Sweden. As is the electro house track “Lights Off” by We Are Domi from the Czech Republic. Poland and Azerbaijan will also be able to cheer on their candidates Ochman (“River”) and Nadir Rustamli (“Fade To Black”) in the final on Saturday evening. The singers Stefan from Estonia with “Hope” and WRS from Romania with “Llámame” will also perform in the final show.
Israel, Georgia, Malta, San Marino, Cyprus, Ireland, North Macedonia and Montenegro were eliminated in the semifinals. Russia has already been excluded from the competition in advance.
According to Spotify’s forecast, the hosts Italy will win the race again this year. Others put Ukraine in first place. A sobering prognosis was made for Malik Harris, who is representing Germany. He will perform the song “Rockstars”.