Malmö, 8 May 2024 (dpa/MIA) — The first 10 countries to go through to the final of the Eurovision Song Content, one of the world's biggest singing competitions, have been selected after the first semi-final was held in the Swedish city of Malmö on Tuesday evening.

 

The countries that booked their spot in Saturday's final were Serbia, Portugal, Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Finland, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland and Luxembourg.

 

The unlucky countries were Australia, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Poland and Moldova.

 

Australian duo Electric Fields had hoped that their hit "One Milkali," with its lyrics partly in an Aboriginal language, would carry them through, but were to be disappointed.

 

Ireland's goth-electro-pop outfit Bambie Thug were over the moon to be through to the final with their song "Doomsday Blue," but were forced to change their stage make-up which was deemed to be pro-Palestinian.

 

The Cork-born singer, 31, told a press conference in Malmo they were forced to change their body paint in Ogham script – an early Medieval alphabet – which translated to ceasefire and freedom, a nod to the situation in Gaza and amid Israel's inclusion in the competition.

 

"It was very important for me because I'm pro justice and pro peace," they said.

 

"Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to 'crown the witch' only (which was an) order from the EBU."

 

A spokeswoman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: "The writing seen on Bambie Thug's body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event.

 

"After discussions with the Irish delegation, they agreed to change the text for the live show."

 

The body had previously warned that Palestinian flags and symbols would not be allowed in Malmo Arena.

 

Despite this, former Swedish Eurovision contestant and opening act Eric Saade had a symbol, commonly used by people who want to show they are pro-Palestinian, on his arm.

 

The EBU said that it "regrets" that Saade chose to wear the keffiyeh pattern material and "chose to compromise the non-political nature of the event".

 

Bambie Thug, whose black costume was removed during the performance to reveal a second outfit in the colours of the trans flag, said that they were completely "disassociated" and having an "out of body experience" after making Saturday's final.

 

Ireland has not won since 1996 with Eimear Quinn's "The Voice".

 

The first Eurovision semi-final was hosted by Swedish comedian Petra Mede and Hollywood actress Malin Akerman.

 

Tuesday's semi-final also featured performances by two of the so-called Big Five countries that provide the majority of the funding for the competition - the United Kingdom and Germany - as well as Sweden, who as winners of last year's Eurovision are this year's hosts and also automatic finalists.

 

The next semi-final is due to take place on Thursday evening when the entries from 10 more countries are to be selected for the final from 16 competitors. Thursday also sees performances from the last three of the Big Five: France, Spain and Italy.

 

Organized by the European Broadcasting Union, Eurovision has been running annually since 1956. It draws huge viewing figures, with over 160 million tuning in in 2023.

 

The Grand Final takes place in the Malmö Arena on Saturday evening, starting from 1900 GMT.