Croatia and Ukraine, two of the favorites to win Eurovision 2024, are among the top 10 contestants qualified for the grand final of the contest, which will take place on Saturday, after a first round of semi-finals held on Tuesday at the Malmo Arena in Sweden.
Fans, dressed in extravagant and bright outfits, waved flags of the participating countries inside the stadium, and many of them dressed up as their favorite contestant or in their country’s colors.
The Croatian Baby Lasagna (whose real name is Marko Purisic, 28) and the Ukrainian duo Alyona Alyona, 28, and Jerry Heil, 32, are among the five favorites of the bookmakers, along with Italy, Countries Netherlands and Switzerland, to win the music festival.
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“For Ukraine it’s a great platform… I think this is the place where you can express what you think freely, openly and for the world to hear you,” said Victoria, a Ukrainian fan, upon arrival before the show.
“Teresa & Maria”, the Ukrainian pop song with folklore influences, with a strong dance rhythm and fast-paced rap, is about togetherness, kindness and love, as well as the resistance and strength of women, according to its interpreters .
Croatian Baby Lasagna’s song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” is about a young Croatian who leaves home aspiring to become a “city boy” with better opportunities.
Security was high around the Malmo stadium, but police said the evening went as planned. Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Serbia and Slovenia also advanced to Saturday’s grand final.
Eurovision is billed as a non-political event, and organizers have resisted calls to boycott Israel at this year’s edition, prompting protests from artists and ministers.
Attention is expected to focus on Israeli Eden Golan and her song “Hurricane” in Thursday’s second semi-final, as bookmakers place her among the 10 favorites to win the contest.
With information from Reuters
