Day 3: start of the 2nd semi rehearsals

Day three of rehearsals: the second semifinal has started. Nobody knows about the stage anymore. We try to keep you informed. For the time being, we’ll stick to the nine countries that rehearsed.

FINLAND: Expectations were obviously high with a big name like The Rasmus in da’ house. In black and yellow rain gear, the stars stood on stage between huge black balloons. Eurovision.tv praises the professionalism of the band members.

ISRAEL: It was quite exciting whether Israel would participate or not. However, the security issues died down. And so Michael Ben David stood on stage in white, surrounded by his dancers. Remarkable: eurovision.tv reports that there is good singing. That has not been done so far.

SERBIA: Konstrakta’s act is little different from what we saw during the national final. She has the healthy hair of Megan Markle, which she also sings about. She washes her hands regularly. The dancers around her carry towels. Everything to stay “In corpore sano”, in a healthy body.

AZERBAIJAN: It was to be expected: Azerbaijan has a standout act. Nadir Rustamli sings from a sort of staircase that looks like a grandstand. There is also a dancer in that stand. Halfway through the act, the stand is split in two and the dancer and singer can see each other.

GEORGIA: Circus Mircus represents Georgia. And clowns belong to a circus. A singer in a leather jacket and flying goggles, a man with an eye patch and a belly organ and a bassist who seems to have borrowed the hat from the Ukrainians. That last man has a beard of flowers. Many colors can be seen on stage. Surreal is how even the official site describes it.

MALTA: Emma Muscat performs in a dress covered with silver. She is flanked by four dancers. Later during the act, she sits behind a huge piano. She also uses the so-called B-stage, just in front of the green room. The sun springs into action and gives off its golden light during this act.

SAN MARINO: You can expect a striking act from Achille Lauro. He wears body stocking, cowboy boots and hat, a black boa and he is at a red rodeo. While you’d expect that with the title “Stripper,” the clothes don’t come off. Where there is smoke there is fire: that certainly applies to this act, which ends with a lot of pyro technics.

AUSTRALIA: Of course Sheldon Reily wears his jeweled mask. Surprising is the huge white suit he is also wearing. At the bottom of the suit is a huge tow. Eurovision.tv compares it to a wedding dress that drags on the floor. It almost seems as if Sheldon is staying in the clouds.

CYPRUS: Andromache is singing in a purple dress with what looks like a huge fan behind her. The dancers move around that fan. The fan is also used to display the graphics. Different colors are visible.

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Greece

Road to Vienna: Greece. We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Greece. Akylas: Emerging Greek Pop Artist Making Waves Akylas Mytilinaios, known as Akylas, is a fast-rising Greek pop artist from Serres. Born in 1999, he transformed a challenging upbringing into creative motivation. He developed his sound through formal training at the Music School of Serres and early theater experience. He later gained international stage experience as a cruise ship singer, performing across multiple regions. This helped him refine both his voice and stage confidence. In 2021, he reached a wider audience on The Voice of Greece. Although he didn’t win, the show significantly boosted his visibility in the Greek music scene. Building a strong online presence, Akylas gained momentum through TikTok, where his viral cover songs attracted thousands of fans. His debut track “Fthinókrasso” introduced his storytelling style. The real breakthrough came in 2024 with the indie-pop hit “Atelier,” produced with Papazó. Ferto: A Bold Take on Ambition and Modern Luxury Culture Akylas’s track Ferto explores ambition, excess, and the constant drive for success. Drawing inspiration from pop and hip-hop, the song highlights wealth, luxury, and visibility as modern symbols of achievement. At its core, Ferto focuses on materialism and status. It celebrates success and indulgence while revealing a deeper truth—the endless desire for more. This contrast exposes the tension between outward confidence and the emptiness linked to overconsumption. Ultimately, the track captures the dual nature of ambition. It feels both empowering and, at times, unfulfilling. Through this lens, Ferto delivers a sharp and relevant commentary on how identity and success are shaped in today’s image-driven, material world. Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 44 times since its debut in 1974. The country achieved its sole victory in 2005 with Helena Paparizou‘s “My Number One.” In recent years, Greece has experienced varying results, with a notable return to the final in 2024 when Marina Satti’s “Zari” placed 11th, and a 6th place last year in Basel, with Asteromata, performed by Klavdia The Bookmakers Akylas Mytilinaios’ Ferto climbs to 5th place  in the bookmakers’ ranking. Could this rising Greek pop star be heading for the win?   

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Greece

Road to Vienna: Greece. We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Greece. Akylas: Emerging Greek Pop Artist Making Waves Akylas Mytilinaios, known as Akylas, is a fast-rising Greek pop artist from Serres. Born in 1999, he transformed a challenging upbringing into creative motivation. He developed his sound through formal training at the Music School of Serres and early theater experience. He later gained international stage experience as a cruise ship singer, performing across multiple regions. This helped him refine both his voice and stage confidence. In 2021, he reached a wider audience on The Voice of Greece. Although he didn’t win, the show significantly boosted his visibility in the Greek music scene. Building a strong online presence, Akylas gained momentum through TikTok, where his viral cover songs attracted thousands of fans. His debut track “Fthinókrasso” introduced his storytelling style. The real breakthrough came in 2024 with the indie-pop hit “Atelier,” produced with Papazó. Ferto: A Bold Take on Ambition and Modern Luxury Culture Akylas’s track Ferto explores ambition, excess, and the constant drive for success. Drawing inspiration from pop and hip-hop, the song highlights wealth, luxury, and visibility as modern symbols of achievement. At its core, Ferto focuses on materialism and status. It celebrates success and indulgence while revealing a deeper truth—the endless desire for more. This contrast exposes the tension between outward confidence and the emptiness linked to overconsumption. Ultimately, the track captures the dual nature of ambition. It feels both empowering and, at times, unfulfilling. Through this lens, Ferto delivers a sharp and relevant commentary on how identity and success are shaped in today’s image-driven, material world. Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 44 times since its debut in 1974. The country achieved its sole victory in 2005 with Helena Paparizou‘s “My Number One.” In recent years, Greece has experienced varying results, with a notable return to the final in 2024 when Marina Satti’s “Zari” placed 11th, and a 6th place last year in Basel, with Asteromata, performed by Klavdia The Bookmakers Akylas Mytilinaios’ Ferto climbs to 5th place  in the bookmakers’ ranking. Could this rising Greek pop star be heading for the win?   

Read More »
Follow Us: