Eurovision Song Contest: The second semi-final kicks off at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna.
The evening, which this year too has Italian commentary by Gabriele Corsi with newcomer Elettra Lamborghini, opened with a number entrusted to hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski based on the song “Wasted Love”, with which the 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 Four (after Spain withdrew in protest with Israel's participation), 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, while Switzerland's Veronica Fusaro (a Calabrian father from Acri) won over with "Alice," a sort of intimate thriller. She was among the best in the competition, although unfortunately, she didn't make it past the semifinals.
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.
At the end of the voting, here are the ten finalists from today and Tuesday, who on Saturday 16 May will challenge Sal Da Vinci for Italy and the other Big Four: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and host Austria.
Bulgaria - Dara Bangaranga
Romania - Alexandra Căpitănescu Choke Me
Czechia - Daniel Žižka Crossroads
Cyprus - Antigoni Jalla
Denmark - Søren Torpegaard Lund Før vi går hjem
Australia - Delta Goodrem Eclipse
Ukraine - Leléka Ridnym
Albania - Alis Nân
Malta - Aidan Bella
Norway - Jonas Lovv Ya Ya Ya
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Moldova - Satoshi Long live, Moldova!
Sweden - Felicia My System
Croatia - Lelek Andromeda
Greece - Akylas Ferto
Finland - Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen Liekinheitin
Israel - Noam Bettan Michelle
Belgium - Essyla Dancing on the Ice
Lithuania - Lion Ceccah Only wish more
Poland - Alicja Pray
Serbia - Lavina Kraj mene
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Italy - Sal Da Vinci Forever yes
France - Monroe Look!
United Kingdom – Look Mum No Computer Eins, zwei, drei
Austria – Cosmó Tanzschein
Germany - Sarah Engels Fire