The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will get going properly on Tuesday night, when a number of well fancied countries aim to live up to expectations and make the final.
After being cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, Eurovision made a triumphant return last year, albeit socially distanced with a smaller crowd, as rock group Mansekin clinched victory for Italy, ahead of France and Switzerland. Their win means that Italy are staging Eurovision 2022, with the action centered on Turin's Pala Olimpico arena and this year's Eurovision hosts including popstar Mika.
At the rime of writing, the Eurovision odds had Ukraine as odds on favourites to triumph in Saturday's grand final, ahead of UK and Italy, with the latter two very close in the betting. And, while the UK's Sam Ryder and Italy's Mahmood and Blanco have automatic places in the finale, Ukraine need to make it through the semis.
READ MORE: How many countries are in Eurovision? Acts and songs for this year's contest
And their act, the Kalush Orchestra, go in the first of the heats on Tuesday, May 12, alongside other well fancied countries like Norway, Greece and The Netherlands. If you're watching in the UK, the BBC's Eurovision coverage starts on BBC Three at 8pm, hosted by Rylan and Scott Mills.
Eurovision 2022 semi final 1 countries and running order
Albania: Sekret by Ronela Hajati
Latvia: Eat Your Salad by Citi Zēni
Lithuania: Sentimentai by Monika Liu
Switzerland: Boys Do Cry by Marius Bear
Slovenia: Disko by LPS
Ukraine: Stefania by Kalush Orchestra
Bulgaria: Intention by Intelligent Music Project
Netherlands: De Diepte by S10
Moldova by Trenuleţul by Zdob şi Zdub & Fraţii Advahov
Portugal: Saudade, saudade by Maro
Croatia: Guilty Pleasure by Mia Dimšić
Denmark: The Show by Reddi
Austria: Halo by LUM!X & Pia Maria
Iceland: Með hækkandi sól by Systur
Greece: Die Together by Amanda Tenfjord
Norway: Give That Wolf a Banana by Subwoolfer
Armenia: Snap by Rosa Linn
READ NEXT:
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*UK Eurovision's Sam Ryder gets crucial boost as odds slashed
*When is Eurovision on the BBC and who is hosting?
* Who is Sam Ryder? UK Eurovision act tipped to do well in Italy
*Eurovision semi final qualifiers as Austria and Latvia crash out
