Norway, Israel, Russia, Azerbaijan, Malta, Lithuania, Cyprus, Sweden, Belgium and Ukraine have all won the Eurovision Song Contest final on Tuesday 18 May in the first semi-final of the 65th Contest.
At the ceremony, the finalists were announced at random. Slovenia, Australia, North Macedonia, Ireland, Croatia and Romania also played in the first semi-final but failed to win a seat in the final scheduled for Saturday 22 May.
The results of the semi-final are composed of the votes of the jury and the audience. The organization recalls that the televoting took place during the live broadcast, and the jury voted during the second rehearsal, which took place on Monday, May 17.
The 16 nations that played on Tuesday, as well as Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, are back in the first semi-final. The 10 finalists will join the Big Five and the Netherlands in Saturday’s Grand Final.
The Netherlands got the right to organize Eurovision after winning the 2019 competition in Israel with the theme “Arcade” performed by Duncan Lawrence – remember SAPO Mag’s interview with the artist here. The 65th competition, which has been held annually in Europe since 1956, was supposed to take place last May in Rotterdam, but the European Broadcasting Union, given that the conditions for its holding were not met due to the COVID-19 pandemic, decided to postpone for one year.
Although 39 countries participate in the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, only 33 participate in the semifinals (16 in the first and 17 in the second). The other six countries – the so-called “big five” (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) and the host country (the Netherlands) – guaranteed access to the final.
Ten countries are selected in each semi-final. Portugal will fight on Thursday for a place in the final in the second semi-final.
Eurovision returns: performances from the first semi-final
“Eurovision is back,” the announcer said at the start of the ceremony, recalling that Duncan Lawrence was the winner of the last Eurovision Song Contest. The singer, representing the Netherlands in 2019, was set to kick off the evening with his new single.
There was a special cameo in the opening video:Ines López Gonçalves, Portuguese jury spokesperson for 2019, appeared in a presentation video of Duncan Lawrence’s speech.
“Good night, Europe. Good Morning Australia, ”traditionally hosted by Chantal Janzen, Edsilia Rombly, Ian Smith and Nikki de Jager. “Eurovision brings people together more than ever,” they added, recalling the competition rules in English and French.
Recalling the voting system, the presenters gave the go-ahead for the start of the performances – Lithuania, Slovenia, Russia, Sweden, Australia, North Macedonia, Ireland, Cyprus, Norway, Croatia, Belgium, Israel, Romania competed in the first semifinal. , Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Malta.
SEE ACTIONS:
1. Lithuania: The Roop – Disco.
The irreverent The Roop, who represents Lithuania this year, was supposed to open the first Eurovision semi-final. On stage, a group in yellow suits presented “Discoteque” – the theme of dancing alone at home.
2. Slovenia: Ana Soklich – Amen
After a party at the disco, Soklich took the stage. A contestant from Slovenia presented the ballad “Amen”.
3. Rusya: Manizha is a Russian woman
And the Russian artist Manizha defended the theme “Russian woman”. On stage, the artist surprised her with a dress that “carried her” and from where she was leaving at the end of the first couplets. As a result, the singer was surrounded by flames.
Manija said he received several threats on social media. The song “Russian Woman” has been criticized by several conservative groups who believe that the lyrics of this theme expresses hatred of men. “I received threats, for example:“ If you’re going to sing about Russian women like that, we don’t want you to live here, ”he told the BBC.
4. Suécia: Tusse – Voices
The fourth artist to appear on stage was Tuss, who was chosen to represent Sweden in Rotterdam. On stage, the singer performed “Voices”, but his performance disappointed fans.
5. Australia: Montaigne – colorful
There was no participant representing Australia on stage this year. Young Montaigne presented the theme of “Multicolored” from a distance, in a recorded performance and without editing.
6. Macedonia do Norte: Vasil – I stand
North Macedonia with Vasily’s “Here I Stand” became the sixth country to perform. For the performance, the singer placed a bet on the mirror ball effect.
7. Irlanda: Leslie Roy – Maps
Ireland was represented this year by Leslie Roy with Cards. During the performance, the singer walked through paper scripts that created the illusion that she was in the middle of a large forest.
8.Cyprus: Elena Tsagkrinu – Devil
The song parade continued in Cyprus. Surrounded by flames and red lights, Elena Tsagrina presented the theme “El Diablo” and made the audience dance in the Rotterdam arena.
9. Noruega: TIX – Fallen Angel
With a performance reminiscent of Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” tour, Tix from Norway took giant wings on stage to introduce the “Fallen Angel” theme.
She was followed by Albina from Croatia, who tried to win over the audience and judges with the theme “Tick-Tock”. Accompanied by four dancers, the artist staked on a performance full of light and visual effects.
11. Bélgica: Hooverphonic – Wrong Place
After the change of vocalist, Hooverphonic entered the stage in 11th place. The group representing Belgium presented the song “The Wrong Place”.
In social networks, the performance was highly appreciated by the audience.
12. Israel: Eden Allen – Free me
Israel became the 12th country to perform in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, the country played all its cards with the theme “Free me” performed by Eden Allen.
13.Romania: Roxen – Amnesia
Then the song parade continued with Romania, represented this year by Roxen, who will present the theme “Amnesia” – the country decided to leave the performer who will perform in 2020, but changed the topic.
14.Azerbaijan: Efendi – Mata Hari
Accompanied by four dancers and with a giant golden ball on stage, Efendi brought a bit of Azerbaijani tradition to the theme of Mata Hari.
15.Ukraine: Go_A – Noise
Then comes Go_A from Ukraine, who decided to bet on “Noise”, a theme that combines folk, electronics, world music and pop.
16. Malta: Destiny Chukunyere – Je Me Casse
They say that the latter are the first, and Destiny (Malta) with the theme “Je Me Casse” is one of the favorites to win. The singer had a mission to close the ceremony.
To the second semi-final
In addition to Portugal, San Marino, Estonia, Czech Republic, Greece, Austria, Poland, Moldova, Iceland, Serbia, Georgia, Albania, Bulgaria, Finland, Latvia, Switzerland and Denmark are participating in the second semi-final.
The two semi-finals and the final will be watched live, and the organization is selling 3,500 tickets to the show this month. In addition, according to information available on the official website of the Eurovision Song Contest, the Dutch government has allowed the organization to hold six rehearsals as well.
This year, “all delegations, artists and production team are following strict protocol and will not be in contact with members of the public.”
With “Love is on my side” Portugal is hosting Eurovision for the first time, a song entirely in English written by Tatanka, the lead singer of The Black Mamba.
Tatanka is one of the founders of The Black Mamba, a band founded in 2010 that moves in the universe of blues, soul and funk.
In parallel with The Black Mamba, Tatanka began his solo career in 2016, “having a more personal album and going back to his roots, telling stories and presenting original themes in Portuguese.” The debut album “Pequeno Barulho” was released in 2019.
Portugal entered the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 1964, but missed five episodes (1970, 2000, 2002, 2013 and 2016).
From 2004 to 2007 inclusive, as well as in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2019, Portugal did not reach the final.
Portugal won the competition for the first time in 2017 with the theme “To Love Both” sung by Salvador Sobral and written by Luisa Sobral. After winning the following year, Lisbon hosted the competition.
