Skip to main content

First Semi-Final qualifiers celebrate the love together!

15 May 2019 at 01:12 CEST
First Semi-Final qualifiers draw in which half of the Grand Final they will compete. Andres Putting
After an exciting first Semi-Final, tonight's ten qualifiers from the first Semi-Final gathered for a press conference at Expo Tel Aviv to talk about their experience so far. They also drew a first or second half starting position in the Grand Final on Saturday 18 May from a bowl.

Greece: Better Love by Katerine Duska

"The feeling on stage was fire, it was the best energy"

Katerine shared that she was very moved to hear Greece called first. Katerine is of Greek-Canadian origin and, when asked about how she felt about the Eurovision Song Contest being aired in Canada this year, she said: "I'm incredibly happy that the show is aired in Canada. It is quite serendipitous because my parents live in Canada so they will get to see the show."

Katerine drew to perform in the FIRST HALF in Saturday's Grand Final.

Belarus: Like It by ZENA

"I’m very happy that I’m here in the Final with the best crew and the best team."

ZENA drew a starting position in the SECOND HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

Serbia: Kruna by Nevena Božović

"I'm really happy"

This is Nevena’s third time at a Eurovision event, and her first time through to the Grand Final at the Eurovision Song Contest. What does qualifying mean for Nevena personally? "I qualified by singing a song in my own language, this is the first song I wrote and composed. This means a lot to me because this is my song about a special period in my life."

Nevena drew a starting position in the SECOND HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

Cyprus: Replay by Tamta

"Just dare to dream"

When speaking about how she prepared herself for the night, Tamta explained: "I was ready for everything and ready for nothing. I prefer to be grounded and wait to see what will happen, and whatever happens I just make sure that I made my best."

Tamta drew a starting position in the FIRST HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

Estonia: Storm by Victor Crone

"This was crazy, I'm overwhelmed"

About his nerve-wracking performance this evening, Victor went on to share, "This is the first time I had tears going off the stage. I'd say this is the biggest thing of my life - I'm looking forward to the (Grand) Final to give it an extra 20%."

Victor drew a starting position in the SECOND HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

Czech Republic: Friend Of A Friend by Lake Malawi

"This was the dream for us, and the dream just came true"

Lake Malawi shared more about their dream with the press. "We had a dream with the band to make it outside of the Czech Republic, and this is proof that we made it." When asked about which position they would like to perform for the Grand Final, they went on: "We don’t care the position were we’re going to start from in the Grand Final, we’d just love to have a third chair up here, because we only have two and our butts are starting to hurt."

Lake Malawi drew a starting position in the FIRST HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

Australia: Zero Gravity by Kate Miller-Heidke

"I'm floating on air"

Kate received questions from the press around her sky-high performance. To get on the pole, she said it was a "shimmy up the ladder situation, not very elegant." She went on to share: "I have a pretty great view from up there, and the energy from the audience was incredible. I couldn't believe it when they all started singing along."

Kate drew a starting position in the SECOND HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

Iceland: Hatrið mun sigra by Hatari

"We send lots of love"

In their speech to the press, Hatari made a point to thank everyone for their support. They went on to add affirm that they believe that everyone is allowed to be who they, and that they send lots of love to those around the world.

Hatari drew a starting position in the SECOND HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

San Marino - Say Na Na Na by Serhat

"I'm surrounded by so much love"

Serhat spoke about how it is an honour to represent the beautiful, small country of San Marino. "If a country trusts you, gives you its flag, it is so special."

Serhat drew a starting position in the FIRST HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.

Slovenia: Sebi by Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl

"I think more than everything here we appreciate that people connected to our music."

Zala & Gašper drew a starting position in the FIRST HALF of Saturday's Grand Final.