A week full of the magic of Eurovision is the one that begins today and ends on Saturday, May 17 with the Final contest. Special shows, a separate channel on ERTFLIX for people with disabilities, music, songs, interviews and direct links from Basel, Switzerland, will bring the atmosphere of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest on ERTFLIX (online) and ERT1, the Hellenic National Broadcaster. Today, the first semifinal with Cyprus' song and Greece on Thursday, May 15 at the 2nd semifinal. Don't miss it!
Alina Loi
On Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 May, at 21:00, just before the First and Second Semi-Finals of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, and on Saturday 17 May 2025, just before the Final, the special show of ERT1 "Eurovision Night", with Jenny Melita, takes us on a journey to Basel, Switzerland, meets the protagonists and conveys the pulse of the greatest celebration of music. exclusive interviews, live connections and with many guests!
The two favorite commentators, Maria Kozakou and Giorgos Kapoutzidis, are present in their own special way, while ERT's correspondent, Kelly Vranaki, takes us behind the scenes of the contest and reveals everything that interests us.
The First Semi-Final will take place on Tuesday, May 13, at 22:00 (Greek time).
The order of occurrence of the countries is as follows: Poland, Slovenia, Estonia, Spain, Ukraine, Sweden, Portugal, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Azerbaijan, San Marino, Albania, Netherlands, Switzerland, Croatia, Cyprus.
In the first semi-final, Spain, Italy from the "Big Five", as well as the organizer Switzerland, appear and vote, and qualify directly for the final.
The Second Semi-Final will take place on Thursday, May 15, at 22:00 (Greek time).
The order of occurrence of the countries is as follows: Australia, Montenegro, Ireland, Latvia, Armenia, Austria, United Kingdom, Greece, Lithuania, Malta, Georgia, France, Denmark, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Israel, Germany, Finland.
Greece with Klavdia and "Asterota" will appear in 7th place.
In the Second Semi-Final, the United Kingdom, France and Germany from the "Big Five" appear and vote for the "Big Five" who qualify directly for the final.
The songs that will qualify from each Semi-Final are determined exclusively by the vote of the audience. In fact, the public in Greece will be able to vote online for the first time this year through www.esc.vote, as well as by phone call and SMS.
The week culminates with the broadcast of the Grand Final, on Saturday, May 17, at 22:00 (Greek time).
What happens on stage in the two Semi-Finals and in the Final will be commented on by Maria Kozakou and Giorgos Kapoutzidis.
The curtain rises tonight at 22:00 for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, with the first semi-final taking place in Basel, Switzerland, and Cyprus represented by Theo Evan. The artist will perform the song “Shh”, taking the stage as the final act of the evening — a spot often considered advantageous.
Also performing tonight will be this year’s top favorite, Sweden, represented by KAJ with the song “Bara Bada Bastu”. The first semi-final will determine the 10 countries that will qualify for Saturday’s grand final, in an evening filled with diverse musical styles and fierce competition.
A total of 15 countries are participating in tonight’s semi-final. Additionally, the representatives of three countries that have already secured a place in the final — Spain, Italy, and the host country Switzerland — will also appear on stage, though not competing. The so-called “Big Five” — France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom — along with Switzerland, automatically qualify for the final on Saturday, May 17.
The countries competing for a place in the Grand Final (running order, country, artist, song):
1. Iceland – VAEB – Roa
2. Poland – Justyna Steczkowska – Gaja
3. Slovenia – Klemen – How Much Time Do We Have Left
4. Estonia – Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
5. Ukraine – Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
6. Sweden – KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
7. Portugal – Napa – Deslocado
8. Norway – Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
9. Belgium – Red Sebastian – Strobe Lights
10. Azerbaijan – Mamagama – Run With U
11. San Marino – Gabry Ponte – Tutta l’Italia
12. Albania – Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
13. Netherlands – Claude – C’est la vie
14. Croatia – Marko Bošnjak – Poison Cake
15. Cyprus – Theo Evan – Shh
Which countries are expected to qualify for the final – What the betting odds show
According to betting predictions, the following 10 countries have the highest chances of qualifying from the first semi-final:
1. Sweden – KAJ (95%)
2. Estonia – Tommy Cash (94%)
3. Ukraine – Ziferblat (94%)
4. Netherlands – Claude (94%)
5. Albania – Shkodra Elektronike (93%)
6. Cyprus – Theo Evan (85%)
7. Norway – Kyle Alessandro (84%)
8. Poland – Justyna Steczkowska (83%)
9. Belgium – Red Sebastian (77%)
San Marino – Gabry Ponte (52%)
The remaining entries — including those from Slovenia, Iceland, Azerbaijan, Portugal, and Croatia — show significantly lower chances of qualifying according to the same predictions.
The two semi-finals and the Final will be broadcast live by ERT1, radio from the Second Program 103.7, while, for the first time in the history of Eurovision broadcasting in Greece, the contest will be presented with accessibility services with full interpretation in Greek sign language and without interruptions for advertising messages on the Eurovision Channel, the separate channel of ERTFLIX.
