Eurovision Song Contest: The semi-finals are underway.

The evening, which this year again features Italian commentary by Gabriele Corsi and Elettra Lamborghini, opened with a number performed by hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski based on the song “Wasted Love”, with which Viennese countertenor JJ won the 2025 edition in Basel , Switzerland.

The competition kicks off right away: Bulgaria first with Dara and "Bangaranga," followed by Azerbaijan with Jiva and "Just Go," while Romania tries its hand with Alexandra Căpitănescu and "Choke Me." The first atmospheric moment comes with Luxembourg's Eva Marija and "Mother Nature," a stark contrast to the energy of Czech Republic's Daniel Žižka and "Crossroads."

Among the Big 5, France performed with 17-year-old Monroe and "Regarde!", so (too) similar to Rosalìa and her hit "Berghain." Armenia, with Simón and "Paloma Rumba," went unnoticed despite their attempts to make a splash, while Switzerland's Veronica Fusaro (a Calabrian father from Acri) made a splash with "Alice," a sort of intimate thriller. Among the best in the competition,

Cyprus, meanwhile, returns to the dance scene with a tentative Antigoni and "Jalla." Host Austria is out of the running with Cosmó and the hypnotic "Tanzschein," already going viral on social media. Latvia plays darker tunes with Atvara and "Ēnā," while Denmark's Søren Torpegaard Lund confirms its position as a frontrunner with "Før Vi Går Hjem."

Australia believes in it with Delta Goodrem and “Eclipse”, Ukraine with the high notes of “Ridnym” by Leléka who does not forget the war in her country.

Among the strongest performers is the United Kingdom, already qualified, with Look Mum No Computer and an unreleased celebration of the German with "Eins, Zwei, Drei." Albania closes with Alis with "Nân," Aidan for Malta with "Bella," while Norway, with Jonas Lovv and "Ya Ya Ya," is trying to break their negative record of 12 bottom-of-the-table appearances.

(Unioneonline/D)

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