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Eurovision semi-finals: What to expect, how to watch and who is among favourites to win

Discord over Israel's participation and its war in Gaza has dominated the build-up to this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Now, on the eve of the start of the semi-finals, here’s a breakdown of who's set to perform when and what to expect.

READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2026/05/11/eurovision-semi-finals-what-to-expect-how-to-watch-and-who-is-among-favourites-to-win

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00:02Eurovision kicked off in Vienna on Sunday, with thousands of fans flocking to the city ahead of the grand finale
00:08next weekend.
00:09As part of the opening ceremony, all contestants walk down the turquoise carpet in the afternoon.
00:16Finland is expected to be a fan favourite this year with singer Pete Parkinen and violinist Linda Lampenius.
00:23Instruments are usually pre-recorded, but organisers have made an exception to allow Lampenius to play live according to Finnish
00:30media.
00:31The feeling, it has to come from here, from the heart, and we have this story, it's a duet, which
00:38comes from stories, we have really experienced these things for real in life.
00:44This year's contest is taking place amid several boycotts from Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia.
00:52The countries are refusing to participate due to the contest allowing Israel to participate, despite criticism over war crimes in
01:00Gaza.
01:15Eurovision is one of the world's biggest music events attracting millions of viewers each year. Its finale will take place
01:22on the 16th of May.
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