The first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, held on Tuesday night in Malmö, Sweden, delivered a dazzling array of performances and surprises as ten acts secured their tickets to the grand final. With glittering costumes, inventive staging, and powerhouse vocals, the lineup that emerged reflects both fan favorites and jury standouts. For the “Big Five” countries—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom—and reigning champion Switzerland, a place in Sunday’s grand final was already guaranteed. But for the remaining 16 semifinalists, only the top ten vote-getters advanced.
Semifinal Structure and Voting Procedure
Eurovision’s semifinals are designed to whittle down the field to a manageable final of 26 entries. In Malmö’s first heat, 16 countries vied for ten spots. Voting combined televotes from viewers across participating nations with scores from national juries, each contributing 50 percent to the end result. The top ten countries by combined score moved forward, while the bottom six were eliminated.
Qualifiers in Order of Announcement
When the suspenseful envelope reveals began, the ten countries named in succession were as follows:
- Norway – Kyle Alessandro: “Lighter”
- Albania – Shkodra Elektronike: “Zjerm”
- Sweden – KAJ: “Bara Bada Bastu”
- Iceland – VAEB: “RÓA”
- Netherlands – Claude: “C’est La Vie”
- Poland – Justyna Steczkowska: “GAJA”
- San Marino – Gabry Ponte: “Tutta L’Italia”
- Estonia – Tommy Cash: “Espresso Macchiato”
- Portugal – NAPA: “Deslocado”
- Ukraine – Ziferblat: “Bird of Pray”
Each qualifier brought a distinct flavor, from Nordic folk-inspired anthems to electronic pop and soulful ballads.
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Eliminated Contenders
Five acts narrowly missed out, announced in the order of their performance:
- Slovenia – Klemen: “How Much Time Do We Have Left”
- Belgium – Red Sebastian: “Strobe Lights”
- Azerbaijan – Mamagama: “Run With U”
- Croatia – Marko Bošnjak: “Poison Cake”
- Cyprus – Theo Evan: “Shh”
Despite high production values and strong vocal runs, these entries failed to secure enough combined jury and televotes to progress. Several fan polls had predicted some of these acts as semifinal dark horses, adding to the surprise of their non-qualification.
Notable Performances and Fan Favorites
Among the qualifiers, several performances stood out and immediately became hot topics on social media.
Kyle Alessandro’s “Lighter” Ushers Norway Through
Norwegian singer Kyle Alessandro captivated viewers with a minimalist staging that emphasized his emotive baritone. Against a backdrop of flickering LED lights arranged like candles, Alessandro delivered a powerful chorus that earned him a spot among the finalists. His understated performance strategy paid off, proving that less can indeed be more on the Eurovision stage.
Shkodra Elektronike Elevates Albanian Tradition
Albania’s Shkodra Elektronike fused traditional Albanian folk motifs with pulsating electronic beats. The ensemble’s choreography, featuring synchronized step-dancing and vibrant costuming, resonated with both juries and televoters, demonstrating the growing appetite for culturally grounded entries.
KAJ’s “Bara Bada Bastu” Shakes Up Expectations
Representing Sweden—though all three members hail from the Swedish-speaking region of Ostrobothnia in Finland—KAJ seized the moment with their exuberant ode to sauna culture. With three men clad in suits (one playing accordion) and a theatrical set resembling a steam-filled Finnish sauna, KAJ’s performance was part concert, part comedy sketch, and wholly entertaining. Pre-contest betting markets had placed them near the top of the odds, and their qualification solidified their status as hot favorites heading into the final.
VAEB’s Atmospheric “RÓA” for Iceland
VAEB enchanted audiences with an ethereal soundscape and haunting vocals that evoked Iceland’s stark landscapes. Subdued lighting and swirling mist effects created an immersive experience, showcasing how staging can amplify a song’s narrative. Their qualification underscores the jury’s appreciation for artistry and mood over bombastic spectacle.
Claude’s “C’est La Vie” Charms in Dutch
Netherlands’ entry blended French language lyrics with a sultry jazz-inspired melody. Lead vocalist Claude’s smoky delivery and the number’s stylish art-deco set transported viewers to a vintage Parisian nightclub, a departure from the high-energy pop that often dominates the contest.
The Big Five and Switzerland: Direct Finalists
Under Eurovision rules, the so-called “Big Five”—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom—automatically advance to the grand final, as does the previous year’s winner. Switzerland, following Nemo’s triumph with “The Code” at Eurovision 2024, rejoins the competition as host nation.
France
This year France sent a multilingual ballad blending French and English lyrics, performed by a trio of vocalists whose tight harmonies and minimalist staging highlighted the song’s lyrical poignancy.
Germany
Germany’s entry featured a high-octane pop track with intricate choreography and a futuristic LED backdrop. Industry observers predict a strong televote turnout despite mixed jury reception.
Italy
Italy maintained its tradition of operatic flair, bringing a dramatic aria-influenced song delivered by a classically trained tenor.
Spain
Spain’s representative, Melody performing as ESA DIVA, wowed semifinal viewers with a bold costume and powerhouse vocals, though Spain’s pre-qualification meant her performance was a pre-recorded showcase rather than a competitive heat.
United Kingdom
The U.K. entry combined Brit-pop sensibilities with a stadium-ready chorus, aiming to recapture the country’s past Eurovision glory.
Switzerland
As hosts, Switzerland presented a celebratory number featuring Nemo alongside local dancers and broadcast personalities, setting the tone for the upcoming grand final weekend.
Australia’s Road to the Second Semifinal
Eurovision’s growing global footprint was underscored by Australia’s continued invite. Marty Zambotto—better known by his stage name Go-Jo—will open the second semifinal on Friday, performing first in the running order. Go-Jo’s energetic fusion of indie-rock and electronic elements has generated significant buzz at home, where Eurovision airs on SBS from 5 am AEST. Australian viewers will be keen to see if Go-Jo can convert early performance pressure into a strong televote showing and a potential return to the grand final.
Historical Context: Switzerland’s Return as Host
Switzerland’s hosting duties in 2025 mark the first time the contest has returned to the country of its origin since 1989. Switzerland won Eurovision’s inaugural competition in 1956 with Lys Assia’s “Refrain,” and more recently triumphed with Nemo’s “The Code” in 2024—36 years after Swiss-Canadian star Celine Dion secured victory in 1988. In a brief satellite appearance, Dion congratulated Nemo and expressed regret at not attending this year’s show in Basel.
Looking Ahead: Grand Final Preview
With 16 semifinalists (ten from the first and six more from Friday’s second semifinal) joining the Big Five and Switzerland, the grand final on Sunday promises a diverse and competitive field of 26. Key factors to watch include:
- Running Order Impact: Acts performing later in the lineup traditionally benefit from recency in viewers’ memories, though strong early slots—such as Australia’s first position in Semifinal 2—can also galvanize audiences.
- Jury Versus Televote Dynamics: Some entries appeal more to professional juries, while others resonate with the public. Balancing both will be crucial for contenders aiming for top spots.
- Staging Innovations: Following KAJ’s sauna set and VAEB’s atmospheric mist, creative stagecraft will continue to play a pivotal role in differentiating performances.
Broadcast Details and Viewing Guide
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 grand final will be broadcast live on SBS TV and SBS On Demand from 5 am AEST on Sunday. Coverage will include expert commentary, behind-the-scenes segments, and the high-stakes voting window. Fans can participate via the official Eurovision app to cast televotes, view augmented-reality effects, and access multilingual translations of artist interviews.
Conclusion
Tuesday’s first semifinal in Malmö reaffirmed Eurovision’s enduring capacity to surprise and captivate. From Nordic folk-pop to operatic majesty, the ten qualifiers set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to Europe’s premier song competition. As viewers across the globe prepare for the second semifinal and, ultimately, Sunday’s grand final, one certainty remains: Eurovision 2025 will celebrate musical diversity, creative staging, and the unifying power of song. Whether veteran finalists or rising stars, each act will vie for victory and the honor of representing their country on Europe’s grandest televised stage.
