Running order of the 2016 Semi-Finals revealed

The running order of the countries taking part in the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 have been revealed today. We now know who will open and close each of the semi-finals held on May 10th and May 12th.

As you remember back on January 25th, a draw was held in Stockholm to determine in which semi-final each of the participating countries will be competing. Each country were placed in one of the two semi-finals and we also determined which half of the semi-final they would be performing.

Today, the producers of the show have revealed the final running order of the songs. Since 2013, the producers of the show arrange the running order of the semi-finals and then of the grand final in order to create a more entertaining show for the viewers. The selected order is then approved EBU executive supervisor as well as the chairman of the Reference Group.

The running orders are as follow:

Semi-Final 1:

1. Finland

2. Greece

3. Moldova

4. Hungary

5. Croatia

6. The Netherlands

7. Armenia

8. San Marino

9. Russia

10. Czech Republic

11. Cyprus

12. Austria

13. Estonia

14. Azerbaijan

15. Montenegro

16. Iceland

17. Bosnia & Herzegovina

18. Malta

Semi-Final 2:

1. Latvia

2. Poland

3. Switzerland

4. Israel

5. Belarus

6. Serbia

7. Ireland

8. FYR Macedonia

9. Lithuania

10. Australia

11. Slovenia

12. Romania

13. Bulgaria

14. Denmark

15. Ukraine

16. Norway

17. Georgia

18. Albania

19. Belgium

Ten countries will be selected from each semi-final and move forward to the grand final on May 14th. Joining them will be the host country Sweden as well as the Big 5 which consist of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Source: Eurovision.tv
Read more in the news archive

Liked what you've read? Subscribe to our Eurovision news!