And We’re Off!
Last night’s allocation draw has now determined which countries will be performing in the first and second Semi-Finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö and in which Semi-Final the Big Five and last year’s winner Sweden will be able to vote in.
• 100% cotton
• Open-end yarn
• Tubular fabric
• Taped neck and shoulders
• Double seam at sleeves and bottom hem
Hosted in Malmö by presenters Farah Abadi & Pernilla Månsson Colt, the Ceremony also saw the Host City insignia pass from previous hosts Liverpool to new hosts Malmö as is Eurovision tradition.
Of the 37 countries participating in the Eurovision this year, six have pre-qualified to the final (The Big Five and Sweden). The 31 remaining countries were grouped into five allocation draw pots, taking into account their voting histories to reduce neighbour voting. Israel, in response to a request from the Israeli broadcaster, was pre-assigned to Semi-final 2.
Following the initial draw, a second draw was conducted to decide whether a country would partake in the first-half or second-half of the Semi-final. The Big-5 and Sweden underwent a separate draw to determine the specific Semi-final in which they would contribute their votes.
The exact running order will be decided by producers closer to the contest.
As this year’s songs are slowly being released, only time will tell where the favourites will be and who might have to battle it out to win their place in the final.