Akylas of Greece performs during the first semi-final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Vienna, Austria, 12 May 2026. Credit: EPA, HANNIBAL HANSCHKE via AMNA
Akylas, Greece’s representative to the Eurovision Song Contest, secured one of the ten spots from the first semi-final for Saturday’s Grand Final.
Performing “Ferto” in Vienna on Tuesday, the 27-year-old artist delivered a high-energy performance and proved that the Greek delegation is not in Austria for the experience.
This year’s entry follows a classic, albeit maximalist, Eurovision recipe. It features an energetic, charismatic performer and a highly catchy track. The staging, designed by Fokas Evangelinos, is fast-paced and ambitious, featuring a poignant homage to Helena Paparizou’s winning 2005 performance, “My Number One.”
The countries that advanced to the Eurovision final
Finland also secured a spot in the final. Their entry, “Liekinheitin,” remains the bookmakers’ favorite to win the entire contest. Along with Greece and Finland, the following eight countries also advanced:
Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland.
In Saturday’s Grand Final, Akylas will face the “Big 4” (Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and France) and the host nation, Austria. They will be joined by the ten qualifiers from Thursday’s second Semi-Final, where Antigoni will compete for Cyprus with the song “Jalla.”
Vicky Leandros, a highlight if the opening night
The 70th Eurovision Song Contest opened with a moving introductory video and impressive stage production by the Austrian hosts. A standout moment was the appearance of Vicky Leandros, who performed “L’amour est bleu”—the song she famously performed in Vienna for Luxembourg back in 1967.