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: Portugal

Road to Vienna: Portugal 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: Portugal Bandidos do Cante: Who are they? Bandidos do Cante are a Portuguese vocal group from the Alentejo region, formed by five childhood friends: Miguel Costa, Duarte Farias, Francisco Raposo, Luís Aleixo, and Francisco Pestana. Known for blending traditional cante alentejano with modern pop, the group has created a fresh, emotional sound that connects heritage with contemporary audiences. Early Beginnings and Breakthrough The group started informally in 2022, singing together at gatherings. Their breakthrough came after collaborating on the hit single “Casa” with D.A.M.A. and Buba Espinho, which gained massive radio play in Portugal. Originally called “Os Amigos do Alentejo,” they rebranded to Bandidos do Cante in 2023, marking a new chapter in their career. Hit Singles and Growing Popularity In 2024, they released their debut single “Amigos Coloridos,” which became the most-played Portuguese song on national radio. This success led to over 50 live performances and a rapidly growing fan base.Their 2025 follow-up, “Já Não Há Pardais No Céu,” strengthened their signature style and earned them a Best New Artist nomination at the Play – Portuguese Music Awards. Collaborations with artists like Diogo Piçarra further boosted their visibility. Debut Album and Musical Evolution Their debut album Bairro das Flores (2026) showcases eight tracks that merge traditional folk with modern production. Featuring artists like António Zambujo, the album highlights their artistic growth. A national tour, including sold-out shows in Beja, confirmed their status as one of Portugal’s most promising acts. Eurovision 2026 Journey They  won Festival da Canção , securing their place at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Their victory, driven by strong jury and public support, marked a major milestone in their rising international career. Rosa : A Poetic Story of Love and Saudade Rosa is a deeply emotional song about love, memory, and loss. The lyrics create a calm, reflective atmosphere, using nature and silence to evoke nostalgia. At its core, the song connects a past relationship to the image of a rose garden, symbolizing both the beauty of love and the pain of its absence. The Garden as a Symbol of Love The garden represents a once-thriving relationship. It was full of life, care, and emotion. Over time, however, it fades due to neglect, mirroring the decline of love.In the end, only the roses remain. These roses act as powerful symbols, keeping memories alive even after the relationship has ended. The Power of Saudade A key theme in “Rosa” is saudade, a uniquely Portuguese feeling of longing. It blends sadness with warmth and remembrance. The lyrics highlight this through images of a lover’s kiss and the idea of a loved one as the “most beautiful rose.”Even though the relationship is over, the emotional connection remains strong. Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest. Portugal has been part of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1964, but its track record has been relatively modest. The country achieved its first, and so far only, victory in 2017, when Salvador Sobral won with the song Amar pelos dois. Despite limited success in terms of wins, Portugal is known for sending entries that highlight its rich musical identity. Its songs often blend traditional influences with modern sounds, offering something distinctive on the Eurovision stage. In recent years, the national selection Festival da Canção has played a key role in showcasing diverse genres and introducing new and emerging artists. The Bookmakers This year, confidence in the Portuguese entry is once again low. Currently sitting in 30th place with the bookmakers, it seems likely that Portugal will struggle to qualify for the final.

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Portugal

Road to Vienna: Portugal 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: Portugal Bandidos do Cante: Who are they? Bandidos do Cante are a Portuguese vocal group from the Alentejo region, formed by five childhood friends: Miguel Costa, Duarte Farias, Francisco Raposo, Luís Aleixo, and Francisco Pestana. Known for blending traditional cante alentejano with modern pop, the group has created a fresh, emotional sound that connects heritage with contemporary audiences. Early Beginnings and Breakthrough The group started informally in 2022, singing together at gatherings. Their breakthrough came after collaborating on the hit single “Casa” with D.A.M.A. and Buba Espinho, which gained massive radio play in Portugal. Originally called “Os Amigos do Alentejo,” they rebranded to Bandidos do Cante in 2023, marking a new chapter in their career. Hit Singles and Growing Popularity In 2024, they released their debut single “Amigos Coloridos,” which became the most-played Portuguese song on national radio. This success led to over 50 live performances and a rapidly growing fan base.Their 2025 follow-up, “Já Não Há Pardais No Céu,” strengthened their signature style and earned them a Best New Artist nomination at the Play – Portuguese Music Awards. Collaborations with artists like Diogo Piçarra further boosted their visibility. Debut Album and Musical Evolution Their debut album Bairro das Flores (2026) showcases eight tracks that merge traditional folk with modern production. Featuring artists like António Zambujo, the album highlights their artistic growth. A national tour, including sold-out shows in Beja, confirmed their status as one of Portugal’s most promising acts. Eurovision 2026 Journey They  won Festival da Canção , securing their place at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Their victory, driven by strong jury and public support, marked a major milestone in their rising international career. Rosa : A Poetic Story of Love and Saudade Rosa is a deeply emotional song about love, memory, and loss. The lyrics create a calm, reflective atmosphere, using nature and silence to evoke nostalgia. At its core, the song connects a past relationship to the image of a rose garden, symbolizing both the beauty of love and the pain of its absence. The Garden as a Symbol of Love The garden represents a once-thriving relationship. It was full of life, care, and emotion. Over time, however, it fades due to neglect, mirroring the decline of love.In the end, only the roses remain. These roses act as powerful symbols, keeping memories alive even after the relationship has ended. The Power of Saudade A key theme in “Rosa” is saudade, a uniquely Portuguese feeling of longing. It blends sadness with warmth and remembrance. The lyrics highlight this through images of a lover’s kiss and the idea of a loved one as the “most beautiful rose.”Even though the relationship is over, the emotional connection remains strong. Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest. Portugal has been part of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1964, but its track record has been relatively modest. The country achieved its first, and so far only, victory in 2017, when Salvador Sobral won with the song Amar pelos dois. Despite limited success in terms of wins, Portugal is known for sending entries that highlight its rich musical identity. Its songs often blend traditional influences with modern sounds, offering something distinctive on the Eurovision stage. In recent years, the national selection Festival da Canção has played a key role in showcasing diverse genres and introducing new and emerging artists. The Bookmakers This year, confidence in the Portuguese entry is once again low. Currently sitting in 30th place with the bookmakers, it seems likely that Portugal will struggle to qualify for the final.

Read More »
Follow Us: