Top favorite Croatia through in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest

NOS News•today, 00:54

In the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, ten of the fifteen countries secured a spot for the final in Malmö, Sweden, next Saturday. Top favorite Croatia is through; Baby Lasagna makes music reminiscent of Rammstein, mixed with folkore and ending with a dance beat. At the international betting offices, the country is comfortably in the lead for the final victory.

In addition to Croatia, Serbia, Portugal, Slovenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Finland, Cyprus, Ireland and Luxembourg have also passed. The so-called ‘Big Five’ – Germany, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy – are automatically through to the final. They have the largest public broadcasters and pay more than the other countries.

Sweden, as last year’s winner and organizer of this edition, can also participate in the final without a preliminary round. Poland, Iceland, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Australia are not through.

Luxembourg took part for the first time since 1993. The 23-year-old artist TALI has never been able to watch her country perform live.

Ireland’s act in particular stood out. Bambie Thug showed spectacular horror on stage with the song Doomsday Blue. It is one of the darkest and darkest acts ever at the Eurovision Song Contest and contains references to witchcraft.

Only telephone voters (televoters) and voters via the Eurovision Song Contest app determined who would proceed. Only in the final do the votes of the professional juries of all participating countries also apply.

Some highlights from the first semi-final:

During one of the opening numbers, Swedish former participant Eric Saade – with Palestinian roots – had a black and white scarf around his wrist. At X, this is seen by some as a pro-Palestinian protest and the organization also seems to see it that way. “Everyone who performs is aware of the rules and we regret that Eric Saade has chosen this,” the organization told Swedish media. Saade has previously been critical of Israel’s participation.

This edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is under high tension, says NOS editor Jorn Kompeer, who is present in Malmö. “Anyone walking through the city these days cannot escape the many police officers patrolling and driving around, sometimes even with police vans that look more like a tank.”

The measures were taken due to an increased terrorist threat, which many European countries have been dealing with for some time. The edition is also controversial for many people because of the war that participating country Israel is waging in Gaza.

The Dutch act Joost Klein will perform his hit on Thursday Europapa in the second semi-final. After Ireland’s performance, the Netherlands has risen one spot in the bookmakers’ predictions. The Netherlands is back in the top five and Ireland is in sixth place.