EUROvisual: Ten countries qualify from first semi-final

Last night, the first semi-final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest took place live in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Twittersphere exploded as millions of viewers across Europe tuned in to see which ten countries would progress to this Saturday’s grand final.

The Azerbaijani production was sumptuous with the pre-performance ‘postcards’ truly selling the Caucasian nation as a viable destination for the more intrepid traveller. From the sheer lunacy of Montenegro, the drama of Iceland, the operatic intensity of Albania through to the Russian grannies and ending with a lively performance by Ireland’s Jedward, it was a semi-final to remember.

These ten countries made it through to the final; Romania, Moldova, Iceland, Hungary, Denmark, Albania, Cyprus, Greece, Russia and Ireland.

Semi-final two will be broadcast live on BBC3 on Thursday 24 May at 8pm. Don’t miss it!