As the glitter settled over St. Jakobshalle in Basel, the first Eurovision semi-final delivered both triumph and heartbreak.
Ten countries — including Norway, Sweden, and Ukraine — clinched their golden tickets to Saturday’s grand final.
Among the victors: Shkodra Elektronike from Albania, blending ancestral Skadar melodies with modern electronica, and Sweden, a perennial favourite. But for some, the curtain fell early.
Slovenia’s Klemen, a beloved TV personality-turned-musician, failed to advance despite a deeply introspective performance of “How Much Time Do We Have Left”.
Known for his mimicry and a Peruvian Inca Orchid named Olivia, Klemen brought emotion, if not votes.
Croatia’s Marko Bošnjak, once a child prodigy and now a Porin-winning artist, also missed the mark with his dark-pop entry “Poison Cake”.
His reinvention continues, but not on Eurovision’s final stage.
This year’s contest proves once again: Eurovision isn’t just about the voice – it’s about the moment, the mood, and the magic that moves a continent.