The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest came to an emotional end on May 11, as another 10 countries won coveted spots in the contest’s grand final on May 13.
Qualifying for the grand final were Bulgaria, Belarus, Croatia, Hungary, Denmark, Israel, Romania, Norway, The Netherlands and Austria.
But the show was over for Serbia, Macedonia, Malta, Ireland, San Marino, Switzerland, Lithuania, and Estonia, whose contestants failed to sway the judges and audiences at home with their performances.
Austria’s Nathan Trent, the last to qualify for the grand final, was so overwhelmed with emotion that it took him several minutes to overcome his excitement and find the words to thanks to his fans and praise the show.
“It was an amazing experience to share with the other contestants,” Trent said.
“And still, the people who didn’t make it through, they made show what it is. They should be proud of themselves.”
Bulgaria’s Kristian Kostov, the first to qualify for the grand final, by the end of the show looked calm as he thanked his supporters, team and delegation. He also said he had already been congratulated by Russian singer Dima Bilan.
Croatia’s Jacques Houdek was the only one to mention the conflict in eastern Ukraine. He said he supported the Ukrainian people, as his country had also gone through a war when he was 10 years old.
“I think Ukraine is the best place to be right now,” he said.
Praising family
Denmark’s Anja burst into tears when a journalist asked her about what message she had for her parents.
“I have such an amazing family, which has supported me since I came up with this crazy dream to chase an international singing career since I was four,” she said, crying.
“I think I am an open book, honestly,” she added. “I am always have my armor down and I think that the world should all be like that.”
The trio of sisters from the Netherlands’ entry, OG3NE, also mentioned family, as they are singing to support their mother, who is battling cancer. They said that they had already spoken to her on the phone in the short break between the second semi-final show and the following press conference.
Joci Pápai from Hungary said he felt honored to be the first gipsy to make it to the Eurovision grand final.
“I sang not only just for Hungarians, gypsies or minorities — this is for everyone who has ever felt oppressed,” he said.
Bringing the party
Israel’s IMRI said that he want to represent his country as a beautiful place to live in, and for people to enjoy the Eurovision event.
“For three weeks I want everybody to forget their problems and just to feel alive.”
Belarusian duo Naviband, who won especially loud cheers from the crowd during their performance, also said that they were “just trying to have fun on stage.”
As well as giving the standard round of thanks to their supporters and team, they thanked the Belarusian language, in which they sang, and which they said had brought them through to the final.
Romania’s Ilinca and Alex Florea, whose song features yodeling, said that people had gladly yodeled along with them at their concerts in Britain.
“And of course, I can yodel every sentence,” Ilinca yodeled, making people at the press conference burst out laughing.
The grand final contestants will perform in the following order:
- Israel
- Poland
- Belarus
- Austria
- Armenia
- Netherlands
- Moldova
- Hungary
- Italy
- Denmark
- Portugal
- Azerbaijan
- Croatia
- Australia
- Greece
- Spain
- Norway
- United Kingdom
- Cyprus
- Romania
- Germany
- Ukraine
- Belgium
- Sweden
- Bulgaria
- France
