Monday, May 18Monday, May 18The first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 took place on Tuesday, 12 May, at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle, marking the 70th edition of the competition. The event was overshadowed by political controversy, with five countries boycotting the contest due to Israel’s participation. Despite the tensions, Israel’s representative, Noam Bettan, performed amid heightened security, with protesters chanting *"Stop the genocide"* during the act .
Qualifiers from the first semi-final included Finland, Israel, Belgium, Croatia, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia, and Sweden. Greece’s Akylas Karazisis, performing *"Ferto,"* delivered a high-energy act that secured his advancement to Saturday’s grand final . Meanwhile, Estonia’s Vanilla Ninja failed to qualify, ending their bid for the final .
The semi-final opened with Moldova’s performance, followed by Italy’s Sal Da Vinci, who received a standing ovation for his entry *"Per sempre sì"* despite the political protests dominating the event’s lead-up. Demonstrations in Vienna included symbolic displays, such as small coffins, reflecting opposition to Israel’s involvement . Reviews of the semi-final highlighted Sweden and Georgia as underwhelming, while Da Vinci’s performance was praised for its energy and staging . Romania is set to compete in the second semi-final on Thursday .
> Background: **Eurovision 2026 kicks off in Vienna amid protests and standout performances** — *9 hours ago*
Greeces Akylas Advances to the Eurovision Final with Ferto Akylas, Greeces representative to the Eurovision Song Contest, secured one of the ten spots from the first semi-final for Saturdays Grand Final. Performing Ferto in Vienna on Tuesday, the 27-year-old artist delivered a high-energy performance and proved that the Greek delegation is not in Austria for the experience. This years entry follows a classic, albeit […]
greek reporter · 5 days ago
Estonia fails to qualify for Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final Estonias Vanilla Ninja did not qualify for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 final on Tuesday night at the first semi-final.
news.err · 5 days ago
Israel, Finland reach Eurovision final as five countries boycott music contest Favourites Finland and Israel advanced from the first Eurovision semi-final on Tuesday, despite five countries boycotting the contest over Israels participation. Belgium pulled off a surprise qualification, while Croatia, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden also secured spots in Saturdays grand final in Vienna.
france24 · 5 days ago
Israel qualifies for Eurovision final Five countries are boycotting the contest over Israels participation.
politico.eu · 5 days ago
Eurovision, prima semifinale: ovazione per Sal Da Vinci, sul palco con il tricolore Si apre la 70esima edizione dellEurovision song contest, ospitata dalla Wiener Stadthalle di Vienna. Sul palco Sal Da Vinci con Per sempre sì, ma la vigilia è segnata dalle proteste anti-Israele
corriere · 5 days ago
Stop the genocide chanted during Israels Eurovision semi-final performance Israels act, Noam Bettan, performed at Viennas Wiener Stadthalle amid heightened security and controversy as five nations boycott the event.
thejournal · 5 days ago
A început Eurovision Viena 2026. Prima semifinală a fost deschisă de Republica Moldova. Ţările care au intrat în concurs Emoții și spectacol la Viena, unde a început cea de-a 70-a ediție a Eurovision Song Contest. Prima semifinală aduce pe scenă 15 concurenți care luptă pentru un loc în marea finală, în timp ce România își pregătește intrarea în competiție în semifinala de joi.
adevarul · 5 days ago
Eurovision 2026, pagelle della prima semifinale: bocciate Svezia e Georgia, vola Sal Da Vinci Coreografie scatenate, laser, doposci e giubbottini tristi: sul palco della Wiener Stadhalle sfilano musica e stravaganze. I nostri voti
corriere · 5 days ago
Eurovision, al via la prima semifinale: apre la Moldovia, ovazione per Sal Da Vinci Si apre la 70esima edizione dellEurovision song contest, ospitata dalla Wiener Stadthalle di Vienna. Sul palco Sal Da Vinci con Per sempre sì, ma la vigilia è segnata dalle proteste anti-Israele
corriere · 5 days ago
Eurovision al via con le proteste anti Israele: piccole bare nel centro di Vienna Si apre la 70esima edizione dellEurovision song contest, ospitata dalla Wiener Stadthalle di Vienna. Sul palco Sal Da Vinci con Per sempre sì, ma la vigilia è segnata dalle proteste anti-Israele
corriere · 5 days ago
Eurovision al via: le proteste anti Israele, lattesa per Sal Da Vinci Si apre la 70esima edizione dellEurovision song contest, ospitata dalla Wiener Stadthalle di Vienna. Sul palco Sal Da Vinci con Per sempre sì, ma la vigilia è segnata dalle proteste anti-Israele
corriere · 5 days ago