{"id":8543,"date":"2023-03-07T14:30:09","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T11:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/7bet.lt\/blogas\/?page_id=8543"},"modified":"2025-05-12T17:42:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:42:49","slug":"eurovision-semi-final-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-semi-final-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurovision 2025 &#8211; Semi-Final 1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<strong>[vc_row][vc_column width=\"1\/3\"][vc_single_image image=\"15613\" img_size=\"full\" alignment=\"center\"][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\"2\/3\"][vc_column_text]\r\n<h1 style=\"font-size: 36px;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final 1<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">The first Semi-Final of the 2025 Eurovision will kick off the competition on May 13, 8 p.m. UK time. With the date for this semifinal growing ever closer, the <span style=\"color: #18ae62;\"><a style=\"color: #18ae62;\" href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/betting\/specials\/music\/eurovision-song-contest\">Eurovision Song Contest odds<\/a> <\/span>are rapidly changing. Learn about the performers, favourites and dark horses here, at 7bet UK blog.\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<style data-type=\"vc_shortcodes-custom-css\"><\/style><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;pillar-menu&#8221;]<strong>[vc_row][vc_column]\n\t\t\t<div id=\"widget-207\" class=\"widget_nav_mega_menu shortcode-mega-menu \">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"basel-navigation\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"menu-eurovizija-2025-container\"><ul id=\"menu-eurovizija-2025\" class=\"menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-11780\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11780 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-semi-final-1\/\">Semi-Final 1<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-11779\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11779 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-semi-final-2\/\">Semi-Final 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-11778\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11778 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-song-contest-grand-final\/\">Grand Final<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-11777\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11777 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-song-contest-qualifying-schedule\/\">Qualifying Schedule<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-11776\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11776 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-song-contest-favourites\/\">TOP 10<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-11775\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-11775 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-song-contest-historical-winners\/\">Historical Winners<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-15647\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-15647 menu-item-design-default item-event-hover\"><a href=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/eurovision-live\/\">Live<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t[\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<style data-type=\"vc_shortcodes-custom-css\"><\/style><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1649425791274{margin-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;eb-tournament&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;eb-table&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>The First Semi-Final of the 2025 Eurovision<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-15636\" src=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746445255321-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Eurovision 2025 Semi-final 1\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746445255321-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746445255321-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/7bet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746445255321.jpg 700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">On January 28, a special draw ceremony was held to determine which countries would perform in the first and second semi-finals. The Running Order (R\/O) of the semis was announced publicly only after 2 months, on March 27. The contest\u2019s producers determine the running order internally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Before the draw, all participating countries (minus the \u201cBig Five\u201d and the host, Switzerland) were divided into five pots, with 15 randomly assigned to the first Semi-Final. There should have been 38 countries participating, but Moldova withdrew, leaving 37 participants and an unequal number of acts in the semis (15 in the first one and 16 in the second).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Only the 10 best performances from each Semi-Final will advance to the Grand Final on May 17.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">After the draw, it was announced that the following countries would perform in the first semi-final: Estonia, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, and Ukraine. These performances will be seen in the first part of the first semi-final, while the second part will feature Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Norway, and San Marino.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Worth knowing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in addition to the participating countries, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland have also been granted the right to vote in the first Semi-Final.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">So, without further ado, let\u2019s get to know the 2025 Eurovision\u2019s first Semi-Final participants a bit better!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf8<\/b> <b>Iceland: V\u00e6b \u2013 \u201cR\u00f3a\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"V\u00c6B - R\u00d3A | Iceland \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf8 | National Final Performance| #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LZE1WzOwtQQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2nd place (1999, 2009)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Semi-Final (15th)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Iceland will open the Semi-Final with V\u00e6b\u2019s \u201cR\u00f3a.\u201d This song blends modern electronic beats and vibes with ethereal melodies. The title \u201cRoa\u201d means \u2018calm\u2019 and reflects the song\u2019s soothing yet powerful composition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">V\u00e6b will seek to return to the top positions and put the 2024 failed qualification for the Grand Final past them. Let\u2019s see if the duo of brothers have what it takes for Eurovision glory!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1<\/b><b> Poland \u2013 Justyna Steczkowska \u2013 \u201cGaja\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Justyna Steczkowska - GAJA | Poland \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YXHHDjiclxA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 2nd place (1994)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Semi-Final (12th)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">An experienced stage diva, Justyna Steczkowska will return to the Eurovision stage after 30 years. She will perform a powerful ballad called \u201cGaja\u201d, mixing Polish and English lyrics, drawing inspiration from Gaia, the Greek personification of Earth. The song, rich in emotional depth, draws inspiration from themes of nature and resilience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Polish performance has been praised for dynamic staging, featuring dancers, a swing and a flamboyant outfit from Justyna Steczkowska. She secured the nomination thanks to 39.32% of the public vote. In the past years, however, Poland hasn\u2019t been the most successful country in the Eurovision Song Contest. Can they recapture their early success, when they placed 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on their 1994 debut?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddee<\/b><b> Slovenia \u2013 Klemen \u2013 \u201cHow Much Time Do We Have Left\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Klemen - How Much Time Do We Have Left | Slovenia \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddee | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GT1YhfRpq3Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 7th place (1995, 2001)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 23rd place\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Klemen Slakonja, better known as Klemen, is a multifaceted Slovenian entertainer, mostly known for his satirical and comical performances on TV. However, he is bringing something entirely different for the 2025 Eurovision. \u201cHow Much Time Do We Have Left\u201d is a deeply personal ballad, inspired by his own experience during the time when his wife was battling a serious illness. Topics of love, loss and nature of life itself is something that resonates with all of us and that\u2019s what Klemen seeks to broadcast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Innovative staging and the emotional depth of Klemen\u2019s performance promises to captivate hearts of many. At one time, the artist is even upside-down, symbolising how <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">facing mortality can turn things, quite literally, upside down<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Slovenia hopes that this emotionally charged performance can switch their fortunes up from being close to the bottom in last year\u2019s contest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddea<\/b><b> Estonia \u2013 Tommy Cash \u2013 \u201cEspresso Macchiato\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Tommy Cash - Espresso Macchiato | Estonia \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddea | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5MS_Fczs_98?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1st place (2001)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 20th\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">A real troublemaker at heart, Tomas Tammemets is a 33-year-old rapper, dancer, and producer from Estonia. He is best known by his stage names Tommy Cash and Kanye East. Tommy Cash performs his songs in English and is locally very well known, mostly thanks to his provocative music videos. The singer has 1 million followers on Instagram and is set to be one of the most popular performers at this year&#8217;s Eurovision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Tommy Cash comes from a Russian family and although he spoke Russian at home, he learned to speak Estonian fluently in kindergarten and primary school. As a teenager, T. Tammemets was arrested by the police several times for illegal graffiti and even expelled from school. Although he took his exams, T. Tammemets never graduated. Instead of formal education, he studied painting and dance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">The artist \u201cTommy Cash\u201d began his musical career in 2012 and has since released two albums. The participating song \u201cEspresso macchiato&#8221; has a quirky, catchy, yet unconventional vibe that can be its key to success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Estonia won Eurovision in 2001 and has reached the final for the last three years. With so many experts and Eurovision odds listing Tommy Cash and Estonia as one of the dark horses, maybe a repeat of their 2001 fortunes is in the books?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6<\/b><b> Ukraine \u2013 Ziferblat \u2013 \u201cBird of Pray\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ziferblat - Bird of Pray | Ukraine \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OJ1x2aiL7ks?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1st place (2004, 2016, 2022)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 3rd\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">In recent years, Ukraine has been one of the most successful participants, winning 3 competitions in the last 20 years. For 2025, they are sending Ziferblat \u2013 a Kyiv-based alternative rock trio. Their song \u201cBird of Pray\u201d is performed in both Ukrainian and English, blending topics of hope, resilience and freedom, all symbolised through the bird metaphor. These topics are relevant to most of us, but should especially resonate with Ukrainians and their closest supporters during the ongoing struggles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the national selection \u201cVidbir\u201d, Ziferblat won the nomination for 2025, after coming in 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2024. \u201cBird of Pray\u201d has progressive rock and emotional storytelling elements, presented through a mix of instrumentation and sound scaping. Let\u2019s see if Ziferblat can keep the impressive Ukrainian ESC track record, going.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea<\/b><b> Sweden \u2013 KAJ \u2013 \u201cBara Bada Bastu\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"KAJ - Bara Bada Bastu | Sweden \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddea | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WK3HOMhAeQY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 1st place (7 times)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 9<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Early Eurovision 2025 predictions see the comedic trio KAJ and their song \u201cBara Bada Bastu\u201d as one of the early favourites. The humorous ode to sauna culture is performed in the V\u00f6r\u00e5 dialect of Swedish with some Finnish phrases. It\u2019s a great example of the intertwining between Swedish and Finnish cultures that KAJ grew up around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">\u201cBara Bada Bastu\u201d won the Melodifestivalen 2025, even outperforming former ESC winner Mans Zelmerlow to get the nomination for Sweden. KAJ\u2019s performance features a rustic sauna set and numerous performers and props to playfully resonate with audiences. A melodic hook with simple rhythm is also Sweden\u2019s first Swedish-language entry in the Eurovision since 1998. For KAJ, it\u2019s pressure to prove the Swedish nation and early predictions right!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9<\/b><b> Portugal \u2013 NAPA \u2013 \u201cDeslocado\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"NAPA - Deslocado | Portugal \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf9 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-s1Cc2uEj3U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 1st place (2017)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 10th\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Hailing from Madeira, separated and far away from Mainland Portugal, the indie-pop band NAPA sing about these very same emotions, something they know best. The song&#8217;s title translates into \u201cDisplaced\u201d with both the lyrics and the music, focusing on longing and the feeling of belonging far from home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">For Portugal, they are trying to replicate Salvador Sobral\u2019s success of 2017. NAPA is one of the dark horses of Eurovision 2025, coming in with little expectations attached to their performance. However, the subtle Madeiran elements with warm acoustics could once again bear the key to the hearts of voters. Praised for emotional depth and authenticity, NAPA\u2019s \u201cDeslocado\u201d might just have what it takes to blow Europe away for Portugal.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf4<\/b><b> Norway \u2013 Kyle Alessandro \u2013 \u201cLighter\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kyle Alessandro - Lighter | Norway \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf4 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pUjWzQ671MQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1st place (1985, 1995, 2009)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 25th\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">At only 19 years old, Kyle Alessandro is one of the youngest Eurovision performers, ever. His song \u201cLighter\u201d tells about a deeply personal journey for Alessandro. By taking inspirations from pop, medieval, Baroque and even Norwegian folk music, the young performer tells a story how his mother encouraged him to never lose his inner light. She was battling cancer at the time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As is expected with Norway, we have dynamic staging, dance elements and even homage to Vikings in what is probably the quintessential modern Eurovision performance from Scandinavia. Norway hopes that the young talent can bring home their 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Eurovision crown, but the first Semi-Final will show if the Norseman really has what it takes to excel on the biggest stage!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea<\/b><b> Belgium \u2013 Red Sebastian \u2013 \u201cStrobe Lights\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Red Sebastian - Strobe Lights | Belgium \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ScupiVTosHU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 2nd place (2003)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Semi-Final (13<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Belgium enter the first Semi-Final as one of the early favourites. The Flemish nation might just have found its hidden gem in the energetic techno performer Red Sebastian. Tributing the 90s techno &amp; rave culture in his song \u201cStrobe Lights\u201d, Belgium\u2019s singer seeks to take the European stage by storm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The lyrics of \u201cStrobe Lights\u201d, along with the music, should symbolise the allure of going to the dance floor and just losing yourself. Red Sebastian got the nomination by winning both the televote and the jury vote in Belgium\u2019s national selection. The club-like atmosphere on stage should get both the Basel audience and TV viewers at home going. Maybe that\u2019s just what Belgium needs to beat their all-time best result of 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> place in the ESC?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddff<\/b><b> Azerbaijan \u2013 Mamagama \u2013 \u201cRun with U\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Mamagama - Run With U | Azerbaijan \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddff | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/upbiPJ9uA70?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 1st place (2011)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Semi-Final (14<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">All of Azerbaijan hopes that an unforgettable name can bring an unforgettable performance en route to a second Eurovision win. Indie rock trio Mamagama started their musical journey in 2021. Their songs are usually a mix of traditional Azeri music, contemporary indie pop and alt rock elements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">\u201cRun with U\u201d is exactly that \u2013 modern pop-rock with a dash of Azerbaijan\u2019s traditional instruments (notably the saz). The lyrics are about love, passion and inner freedom to pursue them. It\u2019s time to see whether Mamagama can revitalise Azerbaijan\u2019s status as one of the top nations in recent decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf2<\/b><b> San Marino \u2013 Gabry Ponte \u2013 \u201cTutta l\u2019Italia\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Gabry Ponte - Tutta L&#039;Italia | San Marino \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddf2 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Le3WpaLYRvE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 19th place (2019)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Semi-Final (14<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popular Italian DJ Gabry Ponte got into Eurovision via San Marino by a fortuntate series of events. The infectious dance tune \u201cTutta l\u2019Italia\u201d was first created as the official theme for the 75<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> edition of the legendary Sanremo music festival. However, it went viral, pushing Gabry Ponte to submit it to the San Marino song contest, which the Italian managed to win.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">As the title could indicate, \u201cTutta l\u2019Italia\u201d celebrates Italian culture, heritage and lifestyle, featuring the accordion and even the tarantella \u2013 symbols of Italian music. Gabry Ponte is no newbie in the music world. He has worked with Eiffel 65 and also co-wrote Austria\u2019s 2022 song \u201cHalo\u201d. So, the star DJ is dead set on making 2025 San Marino\u2019s best Eurovision yet. Let\u2019s see how that works out!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf1<\/b><b> Albania \u2013 Shkodra Elektronike \u2013 \u201cZjerm\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Shkodra Elektronike - Zjerm | Albania \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf1 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Sfvb761EEcM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 5th place (2012)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Semi-Final (15<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Shkodra Elektronike is a folk and electronic music duo consisting of Kole Laca and Beatrice Gjergji. The duo formed in 2019 and gained popularity in 2020 after releasing a couple of hits in Albania.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2022, they participated in the National selection of Albania, where they took 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This year, their song \u201cZjerm\u201d won and we will see Shkodra Elektronike perform it at Europe\u2019s biggest stage. \u201cZjerm\u201d is about power, purification and renewal. In essence, it\u2019s a very Albanian song with modern elements. Fans and experts think that the duo could be a strong contender for the TOP 10.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">In recent years, Albania has struggled to achieve great results, so 2025 could bring a change.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf1<\/b><b> Netherlands \u2013 Claude \u2013 \u201cC\u2019est la vie\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Claude - C&#039;est La Vie | Netherlands \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf1 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hEHwr5k9pd0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> 1st place (1957, 1959, 1969, 1975, 2019)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DSQ<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">After the shocking disqualification of Joost Klein in 2024, the Dutch threatened to quit ESC altogether. However, they did something that\u2019s even more newsworthy \u2013 they came back with a supreme performance that is already being labelled as one of the heaviest favourites of Eurovision 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Claude is performing a song, \u201cC\u2019est la vie.\u201d The music is charming and sophisticated, with lyrical wit and a laid-back vibe, offering a stark contrast between the club tunes and alt-rock ballads that ESC 2025 seems to be packed with. The main question is, can the Netherlands bounce back after last year\u2019s fiasco?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udded\ud83c\uddf7<\/b><b> Croatia \u2013 Marko Bo\u0161njak \u2013 \u201cPoison Cake\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Claude - C&#039;est La Vie | Netherlands \ud83c\uddf3\ud83c\uddf1 | Official Music Video | #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hEHwr5k9pd0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 2nd place (2024)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nd<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">After Baby Lasagna was inches away from ESC victory in 2024, Marko Bo\u0161njak will try to finish what his predecessor started. The dark pop track \u201cPoison Cake\u201d blends elements from various musical genres, including the opera, EDM and even industrial. Bo\u0161njak took inspiration from everyone\u2019s favourite fairytales like \u201cSnow White\u201d and made it much darker. Delving into the themes of revenge, self-empowerment, the song uses a metaphor of deceptively sweet, yet deadly dessert to broadcast its message.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Marko Bo\u0161njak is a Herzegovinian Croat singer, born in 2004. He won a famous Serbian talent show and is a recognisable figure in the Balkans. After the success of Baby Lasagna, Croats have their hopes running high. It will be hard for Marko Bo\u0161njak to rise up to this challenge, but the Eurovision stage is exactly where legends are made.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfe<\/b><b> Cyprus \u2013 Theo Evan \u2013 \u201cShh\u201d<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Theo Evan - Shh | Cyprus \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfe - Eurovision Song Contest 2025  #Eurovision2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rbfQqWyqgJw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Best Performance in ESC<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 2nd place (2018)<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Result in 2024<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: 15<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">The internal selection process of the Cybc (Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation) determined that a young Greek-Cypriot star, Theo Evan is the best person to try and conquer European hearts by way of music. Cyprus was the first nation to announce its singer by doing so all the way back in September 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #ffffff;\">Evan\u2019s song \u201cShh\u201d is a pop track with trance, electronic and slightly dark elements. It\u2019s about a secret identity and piecing the clues together as a listener. Staging plays a huge part in this performance. Theo Evan had some strong backing from Cyprus and Greece with numerous Eurovision veterans contributing to lyrics and music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org<\/b><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;pillar-menu&#8221;][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1649425791274{margin-top: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column el_class=&#8221;eb-tournament&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;eb-table&#8221;] The First Semi-Final of the 2025 Eurovision On January 28, a special draw<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":8540,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8543","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - 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