Overview
- ORF and the European Broadcasting Union set Friday’s final running order, placing Engels second after Denmark’s favorite Søren Torpegaard Lund, a position fans view as the hardest to win from.
- Bookmakers tracked by Eurovisionworld now give Engels less than a one percent chance to win, with analysts linking the weak outlook to the early running slot that can fade from voters’ memory by the end of the show.
- Engels told the dpa news agency that Eurovision is the wrong stage for deep political conflicts, as several countries boycott this year’s contest over Israel’s actions in Gaza.
- A wave of online criticism about Engels’ chances drew public pushback, with TV host Elton condemning the tone, and Hape Kerkeling clarifying he supports Engels and her song, a post liked by former winner Lena Meyer‑Landrut.
- Host Victoria Swarovski faced mixed reactions to her semi‑final opening but praise for bold outfits, and witnesses reported she scolded the production during a rehearsal after technical glitches, while later saying criticism does not faze her.