Entertainment
Eurovision semi-final running orders revealed, and it’s good news for favourites Malta
The running orders for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals are out, as the grand final draws ever closer.
Aside from the Big Five – the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Germany – and reigning champs The Netherlands, every country must compete in a semi-final to earn a place in the grand final on Saturday, May 22.
It’s good news for current favourites Malta, who have landed the coveted last spot in the first semi-final on Tuesday, May 18.
Destiny is representing Malta with Je Me Casse and it has already been viewed two million times on the Eurovision YouTube channel.
Things will be tougher for earlier acts like Lithuania and Slovenia, who perform first and second – although Lithuania’s act The Roop are doing well in the betting odds.
In the second semi-final, San Marino are opening the show – whether Flo Rida will be there with Senhit remains to be seen – with Denmark closing the semi-final.
Eurovision 2021 semi-finals
Semi-final 1
- Lithuania
- Slovenia
- Russia
- Sweden
- Australia
- North Macedonia
- Ireland
- Cyprus
- Norway
- Croatia
- Belgium
- Israel
- Romania
- Azerbaijan
- Ukraine
- Malta
Semi-final 2
1. San Marino
2. Estonia
3. Czech Republic
4. Greece
5. Austria
6. Poland
7. Moldova
8. Iceland
9. Serbia
10. Georgia
11. Albania
12. Portugal
13. Bulgaria
14. Finland
15. Latvia
16. Switzerland
17. Denmark
Ten acts from each semi-final will go on to compete on Saturday against the UK (James Newman), France (Barbara Pravi), Germany (Jendrik), Spain (Blas Canto), Italy (Maneskin) and The Netherland (Jeangu Macrooy).
Two acts will no longer compete in the contest; Armenia withdrew due to the ‘shortness of production time’, while Belarus has been disqualified after failing to change lyrics deemed too political.
At the moment, Switzerland’s act Gjon’s Tears, with his song Tout l’univers, is second favourite to take the crown after Destiny, while France’s Barbara Pravi and her song Voila is moving up in the odds.
As it stands, James Newman and his song Embers are 21st in the odds for a win, but this could all change when the semi-finals whittle down the final running order.
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam, and officials are hoping that all 39 acts will be able to perform live in the city.
However, audience and press will be restricted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Last year’s contest was cancelled due to Covid-19, with many of the acts from last year returning to properly represent their countries in 2021.
The Eurovision grand final takes place on May 22.
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