Which countries automatically qualify for Eurovision? The Big Five explained
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Ten nations have qualified from the first Eurovision semi-final to make the grand final in Malmo, Sweden on Saturday.
For six other countries, it was a swansong on Tuesday night as they did not pick up enough votes to progress in the 2024 competition.
And it will be a similar fare on Thursday night when 16 other nations try to sing for their place in the final - with 10 progressing and six going home.
The final will contain 26 nations. Yes, that’s right - and not our terrible Maths, as six nations have already been awarded a bye to the final.
Luckily for Olly Alexander, Great Britain is one of those. But why do some nations get advanced through the first round?
As British fans will tell you, it can’t always be on talent alone.
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Which countries automatically qualify for Eurovision?
These countries’ broadcasters make the biggest financial contribution towards the contest, and so automatically get to compete.
These nations are joined by the host nation’s entrant. In 2024, this will be Sweden as the Nordic nation won the 2023 contest courtesy of Loreen.
Marcus & Martinus will represent the host nation. Germany are pinning their hopes on Isaak, the French have Slimane, Italy - winners in 2021 - have Angelina Mango, Spain are represented by Nebulossa.
Making the final is not, however, a suggestion of success as Britain came second last in 2023 - beating only fellow auto-qualifiers Germany in the final.
Which countries are competing in 2024?
As for everyone else, it’s the same as last year but for Luxembourg re-entering Eurovision for the first time since 1993. Romania dropped out this time, meaning there are 37 entries.
Who qualified from the first Eurovision semi-final?
The ten countries that made it through are:
Serbia / TEYA DORA - RAMONDA
Portugal / iolanda - Grito
Slovenia / Raiven - Veronika
Ukraine / alyona alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria
Lithuania / Silvester Belt - Luktelk
Finland / Windows95man - No Rules!
Cyprus / Silia Kapsis - Liar
Croatia / Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim
Ireland / Bambie Thug - Doomsday Blue
Luxembourg / TALI - Fighter
Who failed to qualify from the first Eurovision semi-final?
It is goodbye to:
Poland / Luna - The Tower
Iceland / Hera Bjork - Scared of Heights
Moldova / Natalia Barbu - In the Middle
Azerbaijan / Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov - Ozunle Apar
Australia / Electric Fields - One Milkali (One Blood)
Who is in the second semi-final?
Ten more nations will qualify from Thursday’s semi-final, which will be shown on the BBC, with six also departing at this stage. The final is on BBC One on Saturday.
Malta / Sarah Bonnici - Loop
Albania / BESA - TITAN
Greece / Marina Satti - ZARI
Switzerland / Nemo - The Code
Czechia / Aiko - Pedestal
Austria / Kaleen - We Will Rave
Denmark / SABA - SAND
Armenia / LADANIVA - Jako
Latvia / Dons - Hollow
San Marino / MEGARA - 11:11
Georgia / Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter
Belgium / Mustii - Before The Party's Over
Estonia / 5MIINUST x Puuluup - (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
Israel / Eden Golan - Hurricane
Norway / Gåte - Ulveham
Netherlands / Joost Klein - Europapa