Finland and Israel advance to Eurovision final from Semi-Final One

Finland and Israel were among the 10 acts that advanced from the first semi-final of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, putting both countries through to Saturday’s Grand Final. The first live show was held on May 12 at Wiener Stadthalle, where 15 countries competed for 10 places in the final. Eurovisionworld listed the qualifiers as Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden. The Grand Final is scheduled for May 16 in Vienna, with Austria and the four automatic finalists — France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom — already assured of places. ### Which countries made it through the first semi-final? Eurovisionworld said the 10 qualifiers from Semi-Final One were Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Sweden. Five countries did not advance: Estonia, Georgia, Montenegro, Portugal and San Marino. (eurovisionworld.com) Finland competed seventh in the running order with “Liekinheitin,” performed by Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen. Israel performed 10th with “Michelle,” sung by Noam Bettan. Sweden’s FELICIA, Poland’s Alicja and Serbia’s Lavina were also among those who qualified. ### How many acts were competing for those 10 places? (eurovisionworld.com) Semi-Final One featured 15 competing countries, according to Eurovisionworld’s event and results pages. The first show opened the 70th edition of the contest, with 10 of those 15 entries moving on to the final. Germany and Italy did not compete in the semi-final but were part of the broadcast and voting lineup for that show because they are pre-qualified for the Grand Final. (eurovision.com) The official Eurovision site said France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom — along with host country Austria — are automatic finalists. (eurovisionworld.com) ### Who voted in the first semi-final? Semi-Final One voting included the 15 participating countries, Germany, Italy and online voters from the “Rest of the world,” Eurovisionworld said. The site said each national jury and televote awarded points from 1 to 8, then 10 and 12. (eurovision.com) The detailed points breakdown for the semi-final will be published only after the Grand Final on May 16, according to Eurovisionworld. That means the qualifiers are known, but the exact semi-final rankings are not yet public. ### What happened with the Grand Final running-order draw? (eurovisionworld.com) Eurovisionworld said the finalists drew one of three outcomes for the Grand Final: first half, second half or “producer’s choice.” Austria had already been assigned slot 25 in the final. Among the Semi-Final One qualifiers, Belgium, Greece and Serbia drew first half, while Lithuania, Poland and Sweden drew second half. (eurovisionworld.com) Croatia, Finland, Israel and Moldova drew producer’s choice, meaning Austrian broadcaster ORF will place them in the final running order after the second semi-final, subject to European Broadcasting Union approval. Germany and Italy also drew producer’s choice. (eurovisionworld.com) ### What comes next in Vienna? Semi-Final Two is scheduled for May 14 at 21:00 CEST at Wiener Stadthalle, with 15 more countries competing for the remaining 10 places in the Grand Final. Eurovisionworld said the hosts for the 2026 contest are Victoria Swarovski, Michael Ostrowski and Emily Busvine in the green room. (eurovisionworld.com) The Grand Final will be held on May 16 in Vienna with 25 participants: Austria, the four automatic finalists, the 10 qualifiers from Semi-Final One and 10 qualifiers from Semi-Final Two. The full final running order is due after Thursday’s second semi-final. (eurovisionworld.com 1) (eurovisionworld.com 2)