Ukraine positioned as the clear frontrunner heading into the final
In Turin, Italy, the 66th Eurovision Song Contest has begun narrowing its field, with ten nations earning their place in the May 14th final through Tuesday's first semifinal. Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, performing amid the weight of their nation's ongoing crisis, has emerged as the competition's emotional and popular frontrunner. The ancient ritual of song as diplomacy and solidarity plays out once more, as fifteen finalists are now confirmed and eighteen more nations await their fate in Thursday's second semifinal.
- Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra carries the hopes of a nation at war onto the Eurovision stage, making 'Stefania' far more than a pop entry — it is a symbol, and the audience is responding accordingly.
- Ten countries punched their tickets to Saturday's final, while six — Albania, Latvia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Austria — were eliminated, their Eurovision dreams ending in Tuesday's vote.
- The Big Five's automatic qualification creates an uneven playing field that the remaining eighteen countries must navigate in Thursday's second semifinal, where only ten will survive.
- With fifteen finalists locked in and the bracket taking shape, the pressure intensifies for the Thursday semifinal nations — from Sweden and Finland to Australia and Ireland — each fighting for one of the last ten spots in a 26-nation final.
Turin hosted the first semifinal of Eurovision 2022 on May 10th, the 66th edition of the beloved festival held in Italy following Måneskin's triumph the previous year. Ten countries advanced to the May 14th final at the Pala Alpitour, joining the Big Five — Spain, the UK, Italy, Germany, and France — who qualify automatically, bringing confirmed finalists to fifteen.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra and their song 'Stefania' stood out as the clear competition favorite. They were joined by the Netherlands' S10, Greece's Amanda Tenfjord, Switzerland's Marius Bear, and qualifiers from Lithuania, Norway, Moldova, Portugal, and Armenia — a diverse field spanning languages and styles from folk-rap to tender ballads.
The Big Five bring considerable presence to the final: the UK's Sam Ryder with 'Spaceman,' France's Alvan & Ahez with 'Fulenn,' Italy's Mahmood & Blanco with 'Brividi,' Germany's Malik Harris with 'Rockstars,' and Spain's Chanel Terrero with 'SloMo.'
Six nations — Albania, Latvia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Austria — were eliminated after Tuesday's vote. Their exit raises the stakes for Thursday's second semifinal, where eighteen countries including Sweden, Finland, Israel, Australia, and Ireland will compete for the final ten places, completing a 26-nation championship field.
The first semifinal of Eurovision 2022 took place on Tuesday, May 10th, in Turin, and it delivered the names of ten countries moving forward to the competition's final stage. This 66th edition of the festival, held in the Italian city following Måneskin's victory the year before, has now locked in fifteen confirmed finalists ahead of Saturday's main event on May 14th at the Pala Alpitour venue.
The structure of Eurovision ensures that five nations—Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, and France, collectively known as the Big Five—automatically secure spots in the final regardless of semifinal results. This means the ten qualifiers from Tuesday's first semifinal, combined with these five guaranteed participants, gives organizers a solid foundation for the championship round. A second semifinal scheduled for Thursday, May 12th, will determine the remaining ten finalists from a pool of eighteen competing countries, bringing the total field to twenty-six nations.
Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, performing "Stefania," emerged from the first semifinal as the competition's standout favorite. Alongside them, the Netherlands' S10 with "De diepte," Greece's Amanda Tenfjord singing "Die Together," and Switzerland's Marius Bear performing "Boys Do Cry" all advanced. Lithuania, Norway, Moldova, Portugal, and Armenia rounded out the ten qualifiers, with entries ranging from Monika Liu's "Sentimentai" to Rosa Linn's "Snap."
The Big Five participants bring their own considerable star power to the final. The United Kingdom's Sam Ryder will perform "Spaceman," while France's Alvan & Ahez offer "Fulenn." Italy's Mahmood & Blanco are competing with "Brividi," Germany's Malik Harris brings "Rockstars," and Spain's Chanel Terrero will take the stage with "SloMo."
The first semifinal also eliminated several nations from contention. Albania, Latvia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Austria will not advance to the final after Tuesday's voting. Their absence means the second semifinal carries particular weight for the remaining eighteen countries still in the running. Finland, Israel, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Malta, San Marino, Australia, Cyprus, Ireland, North Macedonia, Estonia, Romania, Poland, Montenegro, Belgium, Sweden, and the Czech Republic will compete on Thursday night, knowing that only ten of their number will join the already-qualified fifteen in the championship round.
The final on Saturday evening will thus feature twenty-six nations competing for the crystal microphone trophy. With Ukraine positioned as the clear frontrunner and the Big Five bringing established followings and production value, the competition's shape is becoming clearer as the week progresses. The second semifinal will be the last opportunity for nations outside the automatic qualifiers to stake their claim on the stage.
Citas Notables
The structure ensures five nations automatically secure spots in the final regardless of semifinal results— Eurovision 2022 competition rules
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does Ukraine feel like such a clear favorite at this point?
"Stefania" is a song that works on multiple levels—it's musically strong, emotionally resonant, and there's a geopolitical dimension that's hard to ignore. The country's participation itself carries weight this year.
The Big Five getting automatic spots—is that fair to the other countries?
It's been the structure for decades. The logic is that these five nations contribute the most to the broadcast and the budget, so they get guaranteed access. But it does mean smaller countries have to fight harder just to be heard.
What happens to the countries that didn't make it out of the first semifinal?
They're done. Six nations went home Tuesday night—Albania, Latvia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Austria. For them, Eurovision 2022 is over.
So the second semifinal is really make-or-break for eighteen countries?
Exactly. Only ten of those eighteen will make the final. It's the most competitive round of the entire competition.
Does the order of performance matter?
Tremendously. When you perform in the semifinal can affect your visibility and momentum. But once you're in the final, the stakes are different—everyone's watching.
What's the actual prize for winning?
The crystal microphone and the honor of hosting next year's contest. But for many countries, just qualifying for the final is the real victory.