ShareThe first Eurovision Song Contest semi-final on Tuesday puts sauna-loving front-runners Sweden to the test, with voters across Europe and beyond deciding who will earn a place in the grand final. Comedy act KAJ -- who are from Finland but representing Sweden -- have long been the bookmakers' hot favorites to see off the competition and win Saturday's final with their song based on the joys of having a sauna.
But how they go down on stage in front of the 6,500 ticket-holders at the St. Jakobshalle arena in the Swiss city Basel, and with millions of viewers across the continent, will determine their chances. Fifteen acts representing their countries will take part in Tuesday's semi, with 10 going through to the grand final of the world's biggest televised live music event.
A dour-looking trio from Finland's Swedish-speaking minority, KAJ -- Kevin Holmstrom, Axel Ahman and Jakob Norrgard -- hope their "Bara Bada Bastu" song -- "Just have a sauna" -- will give people a chuckle. "We are so happy that people can take this sauna team to heart. We've seen a lot of people learn the dance," said Holmstrom. The spectacular stage received a public airing at Monday's untelevised dress rehearsals, stretching deep into the arena with Eurovision fans on three sides. In a state-of-the-art production, blasts of flames, 4,500 pulsing lights and lasers, and ever-changing giant screens set the mood for each song.
'A bit of love'
Semi-finals were introduced in 2004 and give acts the chance to establish themselves with viewers before the grand final. Sixteen acts take part in Thursday's second semi, with 10 going through. Alongside Eurovision's five main financial backers -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain -- hosts Switzerland have guaranteed spots in the 26-country final. "There are 37 incredibly-excited and yet calm artists in the arena who have had some great rehearsals and can't wait," said Eurovision director Martin Green.
"Let's share a bit of love this week. I think it's probably the biggest weapon we have: a bit of love." Tuesday's show starts at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) and is set to last until 11:45 pm (2145 GMT), including the nail-biting revelation of how viewers voted. This year, for the first time, three countries will be shown on screen as one of them is told they have made it through to the final. Though 10 go through, the scores are only revealed retrospectively after Saturday's final, making it hard to gauge momentum.
Betting firms have Sweden, Estonia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Albania and Cyprus as their favorites to progress from Tuesday's semi. Meanwhile Portugal, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Slovenia, San Marino and last year's runners-up Croatia could be on their way out, according to bookmakers.
Sticking their oar in
Iceland's VAEB -- brothers Matthias and Halfdan Matthiasson -- hope to sail through to the final with their rowing song "ROA". "You are on a boat of life. You are a boat and the waves are coming, and you just keep on rowing, whatever happens in life," they said. Among those competing on Tuesday are Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, who took part in Eurovision 1995 -- the longest-ever time between two appearances. Estonia's Tommy Cash is performing the song "Espresso Macchiato". "I love all the coffees around the world. Coffee unites us. We can drink it everywhere with everyone," he said. - AFP
