Israel

Just as the debate around the first semi-final was dying down, it was time to do it all over again in the second semi-final, arguable the stronger of the two.

This afternoon it was time for the last of the three dress rehearsals before the second semi-final kicks off tonight. 17 acts will fight to win one of the 10 places in the final. Who is it we will be seeing again on Saturday? 

The postcards made for the Eurovision Song Contest have become an institution in their own right.  Sometimes they reflect the life and times of the country that is hosting, sometimes they have a more abstract feel.  This year, we repeat the theme of such years as 1996, when the performers are followed about their daily lives.

10 jubilant acts qualified for the final last night. Tomorrow evening 17 more will fight for the remaining 10 spots. This afternoon we saw the first dress rehearsal, which will hopfeully give us some indication as to just who has the best chances. 

After some happy sound from Greece Moran Mazor from Israel was next to have her second rehearsal and to perform her dramatic ballad. It seemed to be another reprise of her performance of the Israeli final as well as of her first rehearsal.

Today we will see the last nine semi-finalists rehearse on the stage here in Malmö for the first time. First up this morning was Greece followed by Israel, Armenia and Hungary. Check up how it went in this updated rehearsal article.

The bookmakers have Denmark as their top favourite to win the Eurovision Song Contest next month in Malmö - and so far the fans are pretty much in agreement with this. After the points from five of the fan clubs Emmelie de Forest has a clear first position as the fan favourite of the year.

Today came what many had been waiting for; the exaxt running order of the two semi-finals. For the first time it was decided by the producers together with EBU, instead of the usual draw. Austria will be opening the first semi-final while Latvia will kick off the second one.