ESC 2022: The finale is here

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18 countries competed in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday evening – ten of them were selected for the final. There were hardly any surprises.

The Rasmus in Finland have had a big hit

The second semi-final of the ESC has been decided. In a similarly entertaining show as the first semi-final on Tuesday evening, the artists from 18 countries presented themselves to a cheerful audience in the Pala Olimpico in Turin and around half a million television viewers.

The Rasmus opened the evening for Finland and immediately got big applause. The audience even sang along with a few passages. The band's new guitarist was particularly celebrated with her flawless rock solo. So we will see the band that had a huge hit in 2003 with “In The Shadows” again in the finale.

Serbia made the hall clapping

Singer Konstrakta with an idiosyncratic performance

Serbia comes this year with an impressive performance from the charismatic singer Konstrakta, who sings about optimizing the body. The performance was convincing – especially in the chorus, where the whole hall clapped along loudly and did so at the end of the fast runs.

Nadir Rustamli sang the ballad “Fade to Black” for Azerbaijan – with a large vocal range. The audience and the jury want to hear that again on Saturday.

The appearance of the Australian Sheldon Riley, who smashed the power ballad “I'm not the same” with a glitter curtain in front of his face and a gigantic white feather train – with proper ESC drama, was very well staged. The candidate for Estonia also convinced with his country-folk song with an in-depth refrain. The set made it easy for him – he was practically riding into the sunset – here the kinetic sun unfolded its full power in the middle of the impressive stage.

Sheldon Riley well staged

Queer pomp from Romania

Romania sent the singer WRS into the race with the party song “Llámame” – in a red ruffled shirt with patent leather trousers and a group of dancers he must have been fun for the queer community in particular – he provided a good rhythm with slightly folkloric singing and earned great applause in the hall. We'll see him again on Saturday.

The Polish bard Ochman used a lot of voice and drama in the well-composed ballad – falsetto singing is particularly popular this year and is not only heard by him in the finale. Jérémy Makiese comes from Belgium. His soul ballad, which is a bit reminiscent of Justin Timberlake's “Cry me a River”, has also progressed.

Sweden is a favorite

Traditional singer: Cornelia Jakobs

Cornelia Jakobs from Sweden is also one of the favorites this year, along with Italy and Ukraine. “Hold Me Closer” is a solid pop song that builds slowly, explodes at the end and gets the whole hall singing along on the show. Jakobs delivered routinely and was the best singer that evening – the audience thanked her and voted her into the final.

For the Czech Republic, the group “We Are Domi” finally won the final with a fast dance number achieved, which stood out refreshingly from the many ballads in the second part of the show.

Foretaste of Spain, England and Germany

Before the final result was announced, Chanel from Spain, Sam Ryder from Great Britain and Malik Harris from Germany shortly before.

Watch video 04:07

Malik Harris: Germany's candidate for the ESC

Like the acts from Italy and France, they didn't have to appear in the semi-finals – since they won the so-called “Big Five” countries, the largest sponsors of the ESC shows, are already set for the final.

This will be broadcast on Saturday, May 14th from 9:00 p.m. CEST – also on the TV program of DW.