Overview
- The second semi-final in Vienna on Thursday sent Bulgaria, Ukraine, Norway, Australia, Romania, Malta, Cyprus, Albania, Denmark and the Czech Republic to the 25-act final.
- Monroe, France’s 17-year-old soprano and an automatic finalist as a Big Four entry, gave her first live performance of “Regarde!” and drew loud applause.
- Bookmakers now rate Finland as the clear favorite to win, with Australia rising in the odds and Greece, Denmark and France next in line.
- The EBU/UER tightened voting to deter manipulation by cutting the cap to 10 votes per payment method and expanding national juries to seven with a broader mix of professions and ages.
- Five broadcasters — Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia — are boycotting this 70th edition over Israel’s participation.