Ten countries have sailed through to the 2026 Eurovision<\/a> final after competing in the first semi-final on Tuesday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Acts representing Israel, <\/a>Finland <\/a>and Greece<\/a> were among those to be voted through after performing live in Vienna<\/a>, Austria. <\/p>\n Despite not being eligible for voting, Italy\u2019s crooner Sal Da Vinci and Germany\u2019s Sarah Engel\u2019s also got to perform their songs during the semi-final.<\/p>\n Italy and Germany \u2013 along with France and the UK who will perform in the second semi-final on Thursday 14 May \u2013 automatically gain a place in the final as members of the \u201cBig Four\u201d, who make the biggest financial contributions to Eurovision each year.<\/p>\n Spain traditionally completes what was formerly known as the \u201cBig Five\u201d, but withdrew from this year\u2019s contest in protest over Israel\u2019s participation<\/a>. <\/p>\n Austria is also guaranteed a spot in the final as this year\u2019s host.<\/p>\n The 10 countries voted through from the first semi-final are as follows:<\/p>\n 1. Greece: Akylas – \u201cFerto\u201d<\/p>\n 2. Finland: Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen – \u201cLiekinheitin\u201d<\/p>\n 3. Belgium: ESSYLA – \u201cDancing on the Ice\u201d<\/p>\n 4. Sweden: FELICIA – \u201cMy System\u201d<\/p>\n 5. Moldova: Satoshi – \u201cViva, Moldova!\u201d<\/p>\n 6. Israel: Noam Bettan – \u201cMichelle\u201d<\/p>\n 7. Serbia: LAVINA – \u201cKraj Mene\u201d<\/p>\n 8.Croatia: LELEK – \u201cAndromeda\u201d<\/p>\n 9. Lithuania: Lion Ceccah – \u201cS\u00f3lo Quiero M\u00e1s\u201d<\/p>\n 10. Poland: ALICJA – \u201cPray\u201d<\/p>\n The performance by Israel\u2019s artist, Noam Bettan, was disrupted during the semi-final by shouts of \u201cstop the genocide\u201d. Despite this, Bettan received enough votes to get through to the final on Saturday 16 May.<\/p>\n The first semi-final otherwise seemed to go relatively smoothly. <\/p>\n Among the most notable moments on the night included a brief appearance from British pop star Boy George<\/a>, who joined San Marino entry SENHIT for her rendition of \u201cSuperstar\u201d. <\/p>\n Unfortunately, San Marino crashed out at the first hurdle, as SENHIT (and Boy George) did not receive enough votes to qualify for the final on Saturday (16 May).<\/p>\n![\"Greek](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2275868329.jpg\")
Greek contestant Akylas made it through the final (Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Israel\u2019s](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2275873825.jpg\")
Israel\u2019s contestant Noam Bettan made it through to the final (Getty)<\/p>\n