The first semifinal will take place at Liverpool in the UK on Tuesday 9 May from 9pm. There were 15 participants, 10 of whom qualified for the final on Saturday 13 May, which this year was not held in Ukraine, but in Great Britain. Dutch duo Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper were in the semifinals and were the fourteenth entrants, while Belgian Gustaph finished fifth in the second semifinal with ‘Because of You’. But Spain automatically joined the final. Why is that?

On Tuesday May 9th the following countries and artists will be performing in the first semifinal: 1. Norway: Alessandra – Queen of kings; 2. Malta: The Busker – Dance (our own party); 3. Serbia: Luke Black – Samo mi se spava; 4. Latvia: Sudden Lights – Aija; 5. Portugal: Mimicat – Ai Coracao; 6. Ireland: Wild Youth – We are one; 7. Croatia: Let 3 – Sama SC!; 8. Switzerland: Remo Forrer – Watergun; 9. Israel: Noa Kirel – Unicorn; 10. Moldova: Pasha Perfeni – Soarele the luna; 11. Sweden: Loreen – Tattoos; 12. Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX – Tell me more; 13. Czech Republic: Vesna – My sister’s crown; 14. The Netherlands: Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper – Burning Daylight; 15. Finland: Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha.

On Wednesday May 10th the following countries and artists will perform in the second semifinal: 1. Denmark: Reiley – Breaking my heart; 2. Armenian: Brunette – future lover; 3. Romania: Theodor Andrei – DJP (Dead and Active); 4. Estonian: Alika – Bridge; 5. Belgium: Gustaph – Because of you; 6. Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou – Heartbroken; 7. Iceland: Diljá – Strength; 8. Greece: Victor Vernicos – What do they say; 9. Poland: Blanka – Solo; 10. Slovenia: Joker Exits – Carpe Diem; 11. Georgia: Iru – Echo; 12. San Marino: Piqued Jacks – Like an animal; 13. Austria: Teya & Salena – Who is Edgar?; 14. Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi – Duje; 15. Lithuania: Monika Linkytè – Overnight; 16. Australia: Voyager – The Promise.

Why does Spain always participate?

Spain sent flamenco singer Blanca Paloma to Liverpool this year with the song ‘EaEa’. However, Spain never had to participate in the semi-finals because, being a ‘big’ European country, they were always in the final, which is a good thing because otherwise they would sometimes not have progressed further than the preliminary rounds.

Spain always participates every year as a participant in one of the major European countries (paid?) which are always in the final, such as Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Therefore, Spain always had a chance to win the Eurovision Song Contest, something which had rarely happened before.

Spain has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest every year since 1961 for over 50 years. During this period, the country won the festival twice, namely in 1968 with Massiel’s song “La, la, la” and in 1969 Salomé with the song “Vivo Cantando”. However, this final victory had to be shared with the Netherlands, France and Great Britain.