That’s the first semi-final completed, and eight countries are heading home. Who is still in the game? And where are they singing?
First up, the ten qualifiers:
Albania, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Moldova, Romania, and Russia.
Which means the eight countries going home are:
Austria, Belgium, Finland, Israel, Latvia, Montenegro, San Marino, and Switzerland.
The running draw for the qualifying countries was also made, directly after the semi-final, and it makes for an interesting running order.
(1) United Kingdom
(2) Hungary
(3) Albania
(6) Russia
(7) Iceland
(8) Cyprus
(9) France
(10) Italy
(13) Azerbaijan
(14) Romania
(15) Denmark
(16) Greece
(19) Spain
(20) Germany
(23) Ireland
(26) Moldova
The start of the show is slow, there’s no getting away from it. Any fast paced number at (4) is going to do well. Russia’s hopes of a victory took a tumble with an early draw and the power of Iceland. Still, the omens are good for Iceland. The last time they sung seventh was 2009, and Yohanna finished second.
At the other end of the table, we hae two upbeat numbers already in the last five, and if there’s going to be any more drawn there (Norway) then a slower number could do the business.
What is clear is that there’s all to play for, from everyone in this draw to those who will qualify from the second semi final.
Apart from Hungary. They got slot 2.
Thanks Ewan.
Loving the daily podcasts and Terry!
Cheers.
Phil