Eurovision Song Contest 2009: Results of the Semi-Final draw
Moscow 30 January 2009 - Today in Moscow, a draw determined which countries will take part in the two semi-finals of the 54th Eurovision Song Contest. The 2009 edition of Europe’s favourite TV show will be hosted by Channel One Russia and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) at the Olympiyski Arena in Moscow in May.
The draw determined that the following countries will perform in the first semi-final, and in the following order, on 12 May: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Sweden, Israel, Belgium, Andorra, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Iceland, Georgia, Bulgaria, Portugal, Switzerland, FYR Macedonia, Finland, Belarus, Turkey, Romania, Malta and Armenia.
In the second semi-final on 14 May 2009 the following countries will be represented: Slovenia, Denmark, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, Latvia, Hungary, Serbia, Norway, Ukraine, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Croatia, Estonia, Moldova, Cyprus, Ireland, Slovakia and Albania.
A further draw took place to determine which of the two semi-finals the ‘big four’ countries and Russia will broadcast, enabling the audience in these countries to televote. The United Kingdom, Germany and Spain will broadcast the first semi-final; France and Russia the second.
EBU Members from 38 countries will be represented in the semi-finals on 12 and 14 May. A total of 25 countries will participate in the Grand Final: 10 that qualify from each semi-final, plus the five automatic qualifiers: France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and host country Russia.
Viewers will select nine qualifiers from each semi-final. The tenth will be selected by the juries. In the Grand Final, professional juries and the televoting viewers from each of the 43 participating countries will share responsibility for determining the winner.
This year’s Grand Final will take place on 16 May in Moscow. Russia is hosting this year's edition as its representative Dima Bilan won the Eurovision Song Contest last year in Belgrade, Serbia, with the song Believe.
The contestants are the winners of three national selections held by each of the 43 participating broadcasters in every country. The final list of performers will be released on 16 March.
Press contact:
Sietse Bakker
Manager Communications & PR
Eurovision Family of Events
Phone: +31 6 1788 2099
Email: sietse.bakker@eurovision.tv
Notes for editors:
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition for active Members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - the public broadcasters in their respective countries. The first contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland in 1956. Since then, the contest has become a true European tradition. In 2009, the contest will be held in Moscow, Russia, celebrating its 54th anniversary. News and information about the Eurovision Song Contest is available on: www.eurovision.tv
Eurovision TV is a brand of the EBU – the European Broadcasting Union The Geneva-based EBU is the largest professional association of national broadcasters in the world. It serves 75 active Members in 56 countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East together with 43 associate Members around the world. The organisation operates the Eurovision and Euroradio networks. The EBU offers its Members technical, operational and legal services, and coordinates a growing supply of quality content for radio, television and new platforms. It works to secure recognition of the crucial role of public service broadcasters in the digital audiovisual landscape. More information on: www.ebu.ch
