The allocation draw of the Semi Finals have been drawn in Lisbon. Now we know that 19 countries will perform in Semi Final 1 and 18 countries in Semi Final 2. Due to an uneven number of 37 participation countries in the Semi Finals this was necessary. The Big 5 countries and the host country Portugal have been qualified for the Grand Final already.

The allocation draw of the Semi Finals have been drawn in Lisbon. Now we know that 19 countries will perform in Semi Final 1 and 18 countries in Semi Final 2. Due to an uneven number of 37 participation countries in the Semi Finals this was necessary. The Big 5 countries and the host country Portugal have been qualified for the Grand Final already.

In former years the complete running order has been allocated, due to the increase of participating countries it is required to know in which of the two Semi Finals a country is allowed to perform. This is mainly due to organisational reasons, when the singers and delegations need to arrive in Lisbon. The exact running order will be revealed later on, when all songs are known to guarantee an exciting flow.

Two of this year’s ESC hosts Filomena Cautela and Silvia Alberto guided through the draw and host insignia. The mayor of Lisbon Fernando Medina received the key from last year’s mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Semi Final 1

First half

• Belarus
• Bulgaria
• Lithuania
• Albania
• Czech Republic
• Belgium
• Iceland
• Azerbaijan
• Israel
• Estonia

Second half

• Switzerland
• Finland
• Austria
• Ireland
• Armenia
• Cyprus
• Croatia
• Greece
• FYR Macedonia

Semi Final 2

First half

• Russia
• Serbia
• Denmark
• Romania
• Australia
• Norway
• Moldova
• San Marino
• The Netherlands

Second half

• Montenegro
• Sweden
• Hungary
• Malta
• Latvia
• Georgia
• Poland
• Slovenia
• Ukraine

Furthermore the Big 5 countries plus Portugal were allocated for their voting allowance. In Semi Final 1 these are United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal. In Semi Final 2 it’s Italy, France and Germany.

Author: Jack KnackertEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Photographer, Journalist, Editor

About me:
My first Eurovision I watched was in 1987, Brussels. Since then I am following the ESC with great enthusiasm. The greatest fascination for me is the fact that the entire Europe is watching the show at that specific night. Since 2010, Oslo I am a member of the eurovisionlive.com team. I had the chance to witness the second German victory with Lena. My biggest wish would be to have the orchestra back, as it used to be until 1998.