The first Eurovision 2025 semi-final was held on Tuesday 13 May in Basel, Switzerland, where some of this year’s most popular contestants vied for a place in the Grand Final.
Sweden’s entry KAJ, a Finnish comedy-music trio, sailed through thanks to their sauna-inspired song “Bara Bada Bastu”, along with Estonia’s Tommy Cash and his quirky tune “Espresso Macchiato”.
Switzerland is guaranteed a spot in the Grand Final as last year’s winner, as are Italy and Spain, both among the “Big Five” countries.
Former Swiss Eurovision champion and global icon Celine Dion shared a special message with viewers amid rumours that she might perform this year.
The second semi-final takes place on Thursday 15 May and will feature performances from the UK’s entry Remember Monday, along with delegates from Austria, France, Israel and Australia.
It will be broadcast on BBC One from 8pm, with presenters Rylan and Scott Mills providing commentary.
Eurovision 2025 key points
- Eurovision 2025 semi-finals running order and how to watch live
- Who are KAJ? Meet Sweden’s Eurovision 2025 entry and this year’s favourites to win
- Eurovision lawyers called in after ‘potential hack of rehearsal’
- Israeli hopeful says she is ‘mentally prepared’ for backlash
- Does Eurovision really hate the UK? Here are the stats
The 10 Eurovision acts advancing to the grand final
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Iceland are through to the final!
22:20 , Roisin O'ConnorFor the first time since 2022. And they didn’t think they’d do it, bless them. As mentioned, I reckon that could be a favourite in the final.
Albania are through to the final!!
22:18 , Roisin O'ConnorBrilliant for them, joining Norway who have also been voted through.
A message from Celine Dion
22:03 , Roisin O'ConnorDear Eurovision family and contestants,
I’d love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now. Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It’s a country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary.
Winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me, and I’m so thankful for everyone who supported me. Now, 37 years later, it’s so beautiful and emotional to see Switzerland hosting this event once more. To the people of Switzerland, thank you for your love. This night is yours, and I hope you feel as proud as I do.
Eurovision organisers issue update on possible Celine Dion return
OK, here we go, we're about to find out which countries are going through to the final!
It's a Swiss skit!
21:43 , Roisin O'ConnorHazel Brugger and Sandra Struder are absolutely killing it as hosts! In a very ‘Frozen’ or Disney-style musical skit they’re running through all the things Switzerland invented. Including the garlic press, cellophane, and processed cheese.
UK Eurovision fans, remember you CANNOT VOTE
21:38 , Roisin O'ConnorBecause we’re not performing tonight - you can vote in the second semi-final lads. But don’t try and vote tonight, because it won’t be counted.
Last but not least... it's Theo Evan singing “Shh” for Croatia!
21:32Theo could win Eurovision for his chin alone, just saying. That’s a Hollywood chin.
Croatia's entry is Marko Bošnjak singing “Poison Cake”
21:23 , Roisin O'ConnorAn amusing slip-up from Scott Mills, announcing Marko as the first gay person in Croatia... WAIT. So he’s the first “openly gay” person from Croatia to represent the country at Eurovision, apparently. He’s singing “Poison Cake”, which might be weird enough to get through to the final, but I’m not convinced, personally.
On to the Netherlands, represented by Claude singing “C’est La Vie”
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On to Albania
21:15 , Roisin O'ConnorAlbania’s entry, the duo Shkodra Elektronike, are singing the song “Zjerm” and, interesting, neither of them were particularly massive Eurovision fans before deciding to enter the competition.
Already obsessed with Beatriçe Gjergji and her outfit, btw.
Placing my bets for the 10 acts (plus three) going through to the final
21:10 , Roisin O'ConnorIn no particular order and including the acts guaranteed a spot in the final:
Sweden
Spain
Italy
Switzerland
Estonia
Norway
Ukraine
San Marino
Poland
Netherlands
Croatia
Albania
Cyprus
Azerbaijan: Mamagama - “Run With U”
21:06 , Roisin O'ConnorFive more countries to perform, starting with Azerbaijan and a singer who sounds like he’s ingested about a hundred helium balloons.
Ce bravo, Lucio!
21:00 , Roisin O'ConnorLucio is another of my favourites in this year’s contest - I love that he’s clearly inspired by some of the classic Italian singers - Paolo Conti, anyone? - and there’s a touch of The Beatles too. I think he could be a surprise hit among the Gen-Z crowd.
Who is Lucio Corsi? Meet Italy’s Eurovision 2025 contestant singing Volevo Essere Un Duro
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Norway is giving techno Rasmus
20:56 , Roisin O'ConnorYou all get what I mean right? It’s In the Shadows in da clurrrrrb.
Next up is Norway's Kyle Alessandro – “Lighter”
20:50 , Roisin O'ConnorKyle Alessandro is the youngest contestant at Eurovision this year, but don’t mistake that for a lack of experience. He’s been performing since he was a kid, impressing judges and viewers on Norway’s Got Talent when he was 10 years old and earning a golden buzzer during his first audition. Will his performance tonight send him flying through to the Eurovision 2025 final?
Now playing, Portugal: NAPA – “Deslocado”
20:46 , Roisin O'ConnorWe’re almost halfway through tonight’s performances - unfortunately I can’t see Portugal getting through to the final. Prove me wrong, go on.
Here we go boys
20:42 , Roisin O'ConnorHonestly, I hate the idea of Sweden winning again so soon after hosting, but KAJ really are fantastic. Staging, comedy element, some drama with those big choruses and male harmonies, plus some epic dance moves. They’ve got it all. It helps that they’re completely adorable, too.
Here we go, here we go, it's Sweden's KAJ – “Bara Bada Bastu”
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Now to Ukraine with Ziferblat – “Bird of Pray”
20:38 , Roisin O'ConnorComprising Daniel Leshchynskyi, Valentyn Leshchynskyi and Fedir Khodakov, Ziferblat are a band said to represent a new generation of Ukrainian music.
They formed in 2015 and rose to prominence a few years later when they took part in ‘X-Factor Ukraine’. More recently, nine of their songs were chosen to feature on the popular video game STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl.
Thoughts on Spain's entry
20:37 , Roisin O'ConnorI’m sure it’s better live but I’m honestly kind of underwhelmed by Melody’s performance. I feel like Spain has been sending pale imitations of Chanel and her epic banger “SloMo” from 2022 - I love that each contestant plays on their heritage but this one in particular felt a bit dated and obvious...
Here comes Spain!
20:33 , Roisin O'ConnorThe first of the “big five” countries who contribute the most financially to the European Broadcasting Union and therefore get a free pass to the Grand Final.
This year, Spain is being represented by Melody and her song “ESA DIVA”. Be ready for some draaaaaama darlings.
Oh my god IT'S THE CHICKEN DANCE!!
20:31 , Roisin O'ConnorYay Switzerland, celebrating accordion player Werner Thomas from Davos, who came up with that oom-pah tune and spawned one of the most memorable fad dances of all time. Fun fact: it featured very recently in Disney’s hit TV show, Rivals.
Now playing, Estonia: Tommy Cash – “Espresso Macchiato”
20:26 , Roisin O'ConnorTommy Cash is one of my favourites in this year’s competition, despite incurring the wrath of Italians who claim he makes a number of lazy stereotypes about Italy in his song.
With all the best intentions in the world...
20:23 , Roisin O'ConnorSo... Klemen is upside down. Like a bat. Or a vampire.
These lyrics are... dubious.
On to Slovenia: Klemen – “How Much Time Do We Have Left”
20:20 , Roisin O'ConnorKlemen is 39, an actor, singer and TV presenter. He’s previously hosted his country’s national selection show but apparently decided he wanted to have a go at performing this year himself. His song is inspired by his wife who was diagnosed with a serious illness but has since (hooray!) made a full recovery. Tissues at the ready lads.
Wow!
20:19 , Roisin O'ConnorThat ended on a very Game of Thrones note, big fan of that.
Next up: Justyna Steczkowska representing Poland with “GAJA”
20:16 , Roisin O'ConnorA very dramatic performance from Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska, it’s giving sea-witch. I feel like she’s about to take down a ship full of sailors. Great vocals on her.
What are Iceland's odds?
20:15 , Roisin O'ConnorIceland haven’t qualified since 2022 so it would be great if this song took them through to the final. Personally I think that number’s a lot more fun than they’re being given credit for - I’d love to see that again on Saturday.
And we're off!
20:12 , Roisin O'ConnorWith Iceland’s mad techno-rap duo VÆB and their track “RÓA”. Just don’t compare them to Jedward...
Here are our 2025 Eurovision hosts
20:09 , Roisin O'ConnorThe 2025 Eurovision Song Contest semi-final hosts are Swiss-German comedian, poet and presenter Hazel Brugger and Swiss TV presenter and singer Sandra Struder (the latter who represented Switzerland at Eurovision in 1991).
Swiss-Italian presenter and former model Michelle Hunziker will join them for the final.
Loving the staging this year!
20:05 , Roisin O'ConnorBeautiful choreography and now we’re on to a nod to last year’s winner Nemo, who triumphed with their song “The Code”. Wow! Douze points for the opening bit.
A very dramatic opening performance from our Swiss hosts
20:03 , Roisin O'ConnorSlightly reminded of the BBC News techno jam right now
Rylan and Scott Mills are our BBC hosts tonight
20:01 , Roisin O'ConnorA reminder that 15 acts are fighting for one of the 10 spots that will take them through to the grand final on Saturday. Let’s go!
Five minutes to go and we're off
19:54Are you ready to Bara Bada Bastu?
A reminder of the running order for tonight's semi-final
19:46 , Roisin O'ConnorThe running order is as follows:
1. Iceland: VÆB – “RÓA”
2. Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – “GAJA”
3. Slovenia: Klemen – “How Much Time Do We Have Left”
4. Estonia: Tommy Cash – “Espresso Macchiato”
Spain: Melody – “ESA DIVA”
5. Ukraine: Ziferblat – “Bird of Pray”
6. Sweden: KAJ – “Bara Bada Bastu”
7. Portugal: NAPA – “Deslocado”
8. Norway: Kyle Alessandro – “Lighter”
9. Belgium: Red Sebastian – “Strobe Lights”
Italy: Lucio Corsi – “Volevo Essere Un Duro”
10. Azerbaijan: Mamagama - “Run With U”
11. San Marino: Gabry Ponte – “Tutta L’Italia”
12. Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – “Zjerm”
13. Netherlands: Claude – “C’est La Vie”
14. Croatia: Marko Bošnjak – “Poison Cake”
Switzerland: Zoë Më – “Voyage”
15. Cyprus: Theo Evan – “Shh”
Read our critic's review of Eurovision 2024
19:15 , Roisin O'Connor
Eurovision 2024 unfolded under the darkest shadow in its history -review
Who is Yuval Raphael? The singer and 7 October survivor representing Israel at Eurovision 2025
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Yuvul Raphael: the singer representing Israel at Eurovision 2025
Who is Louane? Meet France’s Eurovision 2025 contestant
19:00 , Roisin O'ConnorLouane won a César Award for her performance in the coming-of-age drama ‘La Famille Belier’ and is dedicating her Eurovision song to her late mother
Who is Louane? Meet the singer representing France at Eurovision 2025
Who is Lucio Corsi? Meet Italy’s Eurovision 2025 contestant singing Volevo Essere Un Duro
18:40 , Roisin O'ConnorItalian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lucio Corsi is representing his country in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The musician from southern Tuscany is already known in Italy, having enjoyed a decades-long career that has featured a successful string of album releases, including the Seventies glam rock-inspired La Gente Che Sogna and his concept album Bestiario Musicale, an homage to the animals of his homeland.
He cites influences including Italian greats such as Paolo Conte and Lucio Dalla, as well as Bob Dylan and Randy Newman.
Read more:
Eurovision lawyers called in after ‘potential hack of rehearsal’
18:20 , Roisin O'ConnorThe annual song contest is underway in this year’s host country, Switzerland
Eurovision lawyers called in after ‘potential hack of rehearsal’
Who are KAJ? Meet Sweden’s Eurovision 2025 entry and this year’s favourites to win
18:01 , Roisin O'ConnorWe’re obsessed with the Finnish-formed group and their song about saunas
How to vote in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025
17:40 , Roisin O'ConnorHere’s everything you need to know!
VIDEO: The UK's Top 10 Eurovision contestants
17:20Every Eurovision winner since 1956, ranked from worst to best
17:00 , Roisin O'ConnorSeventy-one songs have claimed the top prize since the competition began in 1956, and some are a lot better than others
Every Eurovision winner since 1956, ranked from worst to best
UK Eurovision 2025 hopefuls Remember Monday: ‘We’d be mad not to do this’
16:40 , Roisin O'ConnorThe trio lark about and talk to Kate Solomon about their Eurovision entry ‘What the Hell Just Happened?’, avoiding nul points, getting drunk together and their matching tattoos
UK Eurovision 2025 hopefuls Remember Monday: ‘We’d be mad not to do this’
Israeli hopeful says she is ‘mentally prepared’ for backlash
16:21 , Roisin O'ConnorIsrael's Eurovision contestant Yuval Raphael says she had been frightened by pro-Palestinian protests and security concerns surrounding Israel's participation in the competition.
However, the artist said she was "focusing on the love" shown by global fans as the competition kicks off in Switzerland.
"I've been mentally preparing for this," Raphael told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
It came after her appearance at the contest’s "turquoise carpet" opening ceremony on Sunday, which was disrupted by protesters.
Eurovision 2025: Israeli hopeful is ‘mentally prepared’ for protests
VIDEO: Switzerland's Nemo crowned Eurovision 2024 champion
16:20 , Roisin O'ConnorDoes Eurovision really hate the UK? Here are the stats
16:00 , Roisin O'ConnorAnyone familiar with Eurovision will know that the UK is often regarded as the punching bag of the international event.
The UK is guaranteed a spot in the final thanks to its status as one of the “big five” countries that make the largest contribution to the event, which means that Brits are sometimes ridiculed for making it through to the main event no matter the quality of the performance.
But contrary to that belief – the UK has won the Eurovision Song Contest a total of five times, having first entered the competition in 1957, which places it just behind Sweden and Ireland, who jointly have the most Eurovision wins with seven each (Sweden could break the record if it wins for the eighth time this year, as it is strongly expected to do).
Entrants from the UK have also placed second in the final 16 times, a record in the contest.
Here, we look back at the UK’s winning moments:
Eurovision’s 10 best winners of all time, from ABBA to Celine Dion
15:40 , Roisin O'ConnorElaborate staging, wacky costumes, and an abundance of great songs: Eurovision is a song contest like no other.
But Europe’s annual competition is so much more than a kitsch peculiarity: artists including Abba, Maneskin, Olivia Newton-John, Mahmood and Celine Dion have all achieved worldwide fame since performing on the Eurovision stage.
Though it began as a song-writing contest in 1956, having a strong and unique performance is just as important on today’s Eurovision stage. Balancing impressive vocals, skilful songwriting and visually interesting staging, this list ranks the Eurovision winners that found the sweet spot.
Eurovision’s 10 best winners of all time, from ABBA to Celine Dion
Eurovision lawyers called in after ‘potential hack of rehearsal’
15:31 , Roisin O'ConnorThe Eurovision Song Contest has brought in lawyers, following rehearsal footage of the competition being leaked online, after a “potential hack” of an online feed.
When asked about rehearsal leaks at a press briefing on Tuesday, the European Broadcasting Union’s Eurovision director Martin Green said: “We have to send signal out to the juries during those shows and amongst our different members, technology differs in how modern it is.
“And therefore, sadly, if you have the intent to do it, you can potentially hack into that … is what I understand. It’s sad that people do that.
“It also shows you what a demand there is out there for it. Every year we manage to tighten up a bit more, and we will continue to do it.”
FULL STORY:
Eurovision 2025 semi-finals running order and how to watch live
15:12 , Roisin O'ConnorIt’s officially Eurovision week, and ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday 17 May, fans have the chance to see all 37 countries performing in the semi-finals.
The top 10 countries from each will make it through to the final, including the Big Five – the UK, Spain, Germany, France and Italy – who automatically qualify. Host country Switzerland is also guaranteed a spot in the final thanks to singer Nemo’s triumph at the 2024 contest.
The first semi-final is taking place on Tuesday 13 May and will be broadcast on BBC One, iPlayer, Radio Two and BBC Sounds from 8pm. The Independent will be live-blogging so you can follow along with additional commentary, insights and news.
Eurovision 2025 semi-finals running order and how to watch live
