Today the EBU represented by Jon Ola Sand has met the organizing team from the Israeli broadcaster KAN and the mayor of the city of Tel Aviv Ron Hulday and Lisbon Duare Cordeiro for the host city insignia, the handover of the keys of host cities. The most important part of this event was the allocation draw to determine in which of the two semi finals which country will have it’s spot and in which half of the semi final. Furthermore the city of Tel Aviv was presented in a short video and the way of Netta, bringing the ESC crown to Israel.

Today the EBU represented by Jon Ola Sand has met the organizing team from the Israeli broadcaster KAN and the mayor of the city of Tel Aviv Ron Hulday and Lisbon Duare Cordeiro for the host city insignia, the handover of the keys of host cities. The most important part of this event was the allocation draw to determine in which of the two semi finals which country will have it’s spot and in which half of the semi final. Furthermore the city of Tel Aviv was presented in a short video and the way of Netta, bringing the ESC crown to Israel.

As usual there were 6 pots where the hosts of the event – who will also be the hosts for the Eurovision Song Contest Lucy Ayoub and Assi Azar allocated the relevant semi final. This is based on voting patterns from the last 14 years, this is to avoid that countries which are eager to give each other points will be in another show, but this cannot be excluded all the time, there is also a need of luck as well. Switzerland was the only country with a special request to participate in the Semi Final 2, due to internal schedule issues.

This the outcome of the allocation draw, this is in alphabetic order. The running order will be determined by the broadcaster KAN in alignment with the EBU reference group.

Semi Final 1 – first half

• Belarus
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Finland
• Hungary
• Montenegro
• Poland
• Serbia
• Slovenia

Semi Final 1- second half

• Australia
• Belgium
• Estonia
• Georgia
• Greece
• Iceland
• Portugal
• San Marino
• Ukraine

Semi Final 2 – first half

• Armenia
• Austria
• Denmark
• Ireland
• Latvia
• Moldova
• Romania
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Semi Final 2 – second half

• Albania
• Azerbaijan
• Croatia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Russia
• The Netherlands

Interesting to see is that Denmark, Norway and Sweden are all allocated in Semi Final 2. Greece and Cyprus are again together in Semi Final 1, that may help to qualify for the Grand Final.

You can also watch the allocation draw again

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

Public relations, Editor, Journalist

About me:
As one of the founders of eurovisionlive.com I am responsible for the interviews with the singers and the editorial content. My passion for the Eurovision Song Contest exists since my early childhood. The exotic music, different cultures and languages have given a lot of inspiration to me. Since my very first ESC in Dublin 1994 I particularly appreciate the get together and friendship of all the nationalities and Riverdance was a thrill!