The wait is over. Since the Head of Delegation meeting, SVT have been doing their work in deciding the running order for both of the Eurovision 2016 semi finals. The EBU have now verified and published the running orders for all to see. The draw has often proved to be decisive in helping songs make the final in the past. With 37 countries fighting for just 20 spots in the final, it could be more important than ever for a country to have received a favourable place from SVT.
As a reminder, the running order was decided by SVT as the host broadcaster, with the EBU overseeing the process and having final veto, if necessary. The other deciding factor on the running order was which half each country was previously drawn in January’s allocation draw.
The running order is selected to make a good television programme, to ensure there aren’t clusters of similar songs, and to allow the technical staging and production aspects of the show can be carried out in the best way.
You can see the full running order for each semi final below:
Eurovision 2016 semi-final 1 running order
- Finland
- Greece
- Moldova
- Hungary
- Croatia
- The Netherlands
- Armenia
- San Marino
- Russia
- Czech Republic
- Cyprus
- Austria
- Estonia
- Azerbaijan
- Montenegro
- Iceland
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Malta
Eurovision 2016 semi-final 2 running order
- Latvia
- Poland
- Switzerland
- Israel
- Belarus
- Serbia
- Ireland
- FYR Macedonia
- Lithuania
- Australia
- Slovenia
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Denmark
- Ukraine
- Norway
- Georgia
- Albania
- Belgium
What do you think of the running order draw? Are you happy to see where your country has been placed? Let us know in the comments section below and make sure to check back for more reaction to the running order soon.
“It is incredibly hard to predict the winner, because in my opinion, this is a rather weak year of ESC.” – Ljupco MACEDONIA (posted APRIL 10, 2016 @ 8:46 PM)
I noticed that, too. There’s too much similarity in the songs, especially when compared to the last two years. I’ve listened to the songs in the order they will be in the semifinals, putting the music in the background while I did something else. And it’s really, really, hard to tell when one song ends and another begins. Where are this year’s Buranovskiye Babushki? Conchita Wurst? Pollapönk? Donatan and Cleo?
Apart from all the who’s favoured/destroyed by the running order, did SVT realise that songs 2-5 in SF1 are all in the same key? Sure it won’t affect their chances of qualifying but it might look like some songs are just a continuation of others especially in the recap. In 2013 SF1 I remember Russia and Denmark having the same key (a minor) and in the recap I was all like waaaat? 😀
It is 2011 all over again. It is incredibly hard to predict the winner, because in my opinion, this is a rather weak year of ESC. I think Greece will fail to qualify for the first time, while Czech Republic will manage to catch the last train for the final. There is great fuss about Poland and Sweden, but I think they will be bottom 5 in final. I think there will struggle for victory between Croatia and Russia. Anyways, this is my prediction for the semis in ranking order: SEMI-FINAL 1 1. Russia 2. Croatia 3. Armenia 4. Iceland… Read more »
Pollaski is desperate
My ranking for SF1: 1. Russia 2. Malta 3. Iceland 4. Armenia 5. Croatia 6. Hungary 7. Cyprus 8. Bosnia & Herzegovina 9. Azerbaijan 10. Czech Republic 11. Estonia 12. Austria 13. Finland 14. Netherlands 15. Greece 16. Moldova 17. Montenegro 18. San Marino Here are my thoughts: 1. Czech Republic may struggle a lot as they are sandwiched between Russia and Cyprus though I felt the juries could be tempted to give the Czechs a lot of points. 2. The last qualifying spot (10th) may go down to the wire, so even Estonia and Austria can snatch the place… Read more »
1. Malta
2. Azerbaijan
3. Russia
4. Cyprus
5. Croatia
6. Armenia
7. Greece
8. Iceland
9. Hungary
10. Czech Republic
This would be the most fair 10 qualifications! Good Luck :)?
Come on this all jealous for Walk on Water, Malta. Malta this year have a winning song, a masterpiece. All your comments show, that wanted to pass Malta, but not wanted to be in the last place. And if someone with a really bad song, like San Marino would pass as sing in the last place, come on! Well done, what you are doing is with the rights. Regarding the submission, everyone can change the song before the submission. VALLETTA 2017 #WOW
@mad hat
i agree with you, and wish all countries best of luck
Jan:
Now it is obvious that Czech Republic is not welcomed in ESC anymore… The country without “friend” countries like many others have gets the worst possible spot between two energetic songs… In case of non-qualification, I will support Czech TV in withdrawing next year.. This is really too much…
Yeaahaaaaahhhh I hate it soo much. But at least the next year I will just enjoy the contest online without worrying if we get through or not and my mobile credit will be full :)) :'(
*those ??? are actually hearts. Ofcourse it doesn’t work here. 🙂
Plllleeaasssseeeee vote for the Czech republic cause otherwise you may not see us the next year that’s what I promise you.
I will vote (100%) for Austria, Armenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, The netherlands and Russia! Thanks for all your votes. I love you.???
We might see history in the making. The SF1 running order does no favors for Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The SF2 running order does no favors for a lot of countries. This might be the year Greece, Romania, and Bosnia-Herzegovina break their perfect record of qualifying to the final. Weaker songs seem to be put right in the middle of what should be amazing stage performances. Their songs pale in comparison to others in their respective semi finals. These running orders, at least to me, seem to help Finland and Belgium. If I can, I want to try… Read more »
ridiculous to argue about the running order when it is all up to you how many votes you give and to whom. Just vote, will you, don´t make wishes. There aren´t any fairy godmothers to give you what you want with you doing nothing.
I find a lot of these comments borderline hysterical. EugeneESCUK, error, Maria and others who state that SVT want so and so country to win or are helping country X and not Y sound like complete fools. Why? Why would SVT feel the need to do such things? Is it because Malta’s song was written by Swedes? If that is the case what is the excuse used for Russia? Their song is written by Greeks. This argument is both flawed and idiotic. You people may write these comments because you may feel your country deserves or requires a different placing… Read more »
OK, got it. Robyn is an official spokesperson on behalf of the EBU, like Lynda Woodruff, just not funny. Every comment is a sermon of understanding for every move EBU and SVT take. Or maybe she just does not want to impair press access rights for wiwibloggs. It is a miracle how uncritical the ESC fanpages nowadays are, while the fans themselves are very critical. Seems like the fans running fan sites are not the same fans commenting on fan sites. The only criticism out there is meant for songs and artists, never for the organization. Still EBU/SVT are moving… Read more »
Malta has for the past semifinals performed early in the semifinal:
Malta 2012 – 4th out of 18
Malta 2013 – 6th out of 17
Malta 2014 – 1st out of 15
Malta 2015 – 5th out of 17
Finally they get a good draw and SUDDENLY everyone thinks svt or ebu are on Malta’s side? Remember, unlike Russia, Azerbaijan, Greece or Bosnia, and other countries in semi 1 – Malta is one of those countries that no matter what song they go with, they have to fight for a qualification.
@Aaron GR
Yes, it is hilarious all the speculation about the running order. All the Swedish conspiracy theories are way off. It is aliens who are behind Russia, Australia & Malta getting good positions.
Good luck Poland, you’re gonna need it. hahahahahaha
Loo, France’s song in 2011 was not “dated”. The opera genre is timeless, as well as Amaury Vasilli’s talent. The fault lies with the public’s taste. Also the fact that Azerbaijan stole the victory through cheating.
There are so many good songs on the first semi…
Wow. Just wow. SVT has its own favorites and they do everything to help them. In my view, Russia, Armenia and Malta have better spots in SF1. After “Slow Down” Iva will obviously slaaaay. I’m so impressed with her performance in Moscow. She will be in top and all attention will be on her, because she hasn’t given any interview, and won’t till SF1. So I expect smth big from Armenia. I’m so sad that she canceled her performance in Amsterdam ((((. Russia will perform right after San Marino … Come on, if even he wasn’t a favorite he would… Read more »
I’ll be glad if Armenia, Estonia and The Netherlands could qualify in the first semi.
In the second semi my favourite entries are Latvia, Australia and Bulgaria.
I would also like Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Serbia in the final. Good luck to all in May!!!
Yay let’s be noobs and losers and hate on Malta together. Malta loves the ESC so much, why hate on it? They never won ESC so it’s not like they are overrated, year in year out (I won’t mention countries). I am sorry but all your arguments are inconsistent with facts: Malta is not last because of Swedish authors; Ira contributed to the song unlike Czech which is full Swedish authors yet they weren’t given that spot. The argument about them inviting representatives does not make sense; Malta opened semi in 2014 and were in a bad position in 2015.… Read more »
i find it abysmal the excessive amount of support Czech Republic is having this year, really? This is an entry for you? gosh, it has to be the blandest entry this year, it fails to even be a song, in my opinion, thank god, it’s gonna flop, between Russia & Cyprus and in the most difficul semi-final, no way it’s going to the final, only if the juries have some sort of delirium for that song but still, no way it’s going to the final, it will be a huge stupidity if that happens. Also, i sincerely hope Georgia, Netherlands… Read more »
SF 2 WTF is this running order? Srsly. The SVT/EBU/whatever makes the running order to not have similar entries next to each other. But they put 3 ballads in a row. (Poland, Switzerland and Israel) I knew that one of the male singers with a pop song would open this show (Lithuania, Latvia or Ireland). But I’d rather it would be Ireland than Latvia. Australia taking the last spot of the first half, of course. Following Australia we have a happier song (Slovenia. It could be Belgium, but What’s The Pressure is better to close the show). Norway shouldn’t follow… Read more »
I’m so curious about how the stage performance will be…
And to all of you who says that this will flop like France did in 2011 must think twice. This is not the same case at all. Of course France did flop in 2011, the song was too dated.
This year’s song is current, popish and most of all very universal. This song could be played on any radio station in any town in any part of the world any day.
Czech Republic will kill Russian entry right on the spot. Poland’s golden voice will dictate high standards for vocal in that semi, that’s the feeling I have
@Thomas So agree with you, thank you for your support for my country! Nina prepares a killer performance for sure, perhaps that’s why she’s performing before the commercial break, to clean the mess up :). Anyway, if anyone is ‘doomed’ in SF1 first half, it’s The Netherlands. Between two female grand vocals, songs full of strong sounds and effects a country track may be forgotten..
I think Swedes don’t like Finns :/
And what is Belgium doing in the best place? 😀
All this speculation is hilarious. It’s the same every year.
Good songs get through, bad songs usually don’t, and the middling songs may get through – but then they die in the Final. It’s not a problem.
Forget statistics. You’re looking at a sample size of n16 (8 years x 2 semi-finals), which has NOTHING EVEN APPROACHING validity in the world of statistics. You might as well be casting chicken bones.
Eurovision is a fun, good time. Just enjoy the wonderful show and the good/bad/okay music. And stop speculating – it really doesn’t matter.
Surprisingly…I think other than putting Latvia as an opener, SVT has done a pretty good job at allocating making sure that bookie/fan favorites don’t get bad running order. Good work.
Semi Final 1 got a great running order. I can’t say the same thing about SF 2. Here is the running order I made days before the announcement of the official one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGEFQkOITB8 (SF1) / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UinBD_mp1j0&nohtml5=False (SF2) SF1: I was right that Finland would open, and a girl would close the SF1 (Azerbaijan, Malta or Iceland). But Azerbaijan would be a better choice than Malta to take the last spot. In the 3 first entries, they usually put 1 or 2 that don’t have much appeal between the ESC fans. In Malmo 2013, the order for the SF1 was: 1.… Read more »
@Eugene
maybe just a random draw
why would they put Latvia first in semi final 2, very bad draw location
and Malta was last year third to perform in semi final 2, so i believe they deserved that place in the running order 🙂
Can’t wait for Georgia to shock Europe and qualify. Such a unique song with a great artistic vision.
And it’s sad that Greece will probably not qualify. It’s such an interesting, modern, ethnic song. Right up my alley.
CAN’T WAIT from Nina to blow away everyone with her powerful voice 😀 I just can’t wait 😀 <3
Reason why Croatia is on 5th maybe because She will use rain in her performance and they need time to clean stage after her. Ads are going after her performance.
Why rain(water) ? Because She use it in her music video and because of name of song. And probably mega light will come after storm(rain). That is how I imagine her performance.
#ZAGREB2017
From the 1st semi-final
Greece
Hungary
Croatia
Armenia
Russia
Cyprus
Estonia
Azerbaijan
Iceland
Malta
From the 2nd semi-final
Latvia
Poland
Israel
Serbia
FYR Macedonia
Australia
Romania
Bulgaria
Ukraine
Norway
Oh no
Looks like Croatia and Armenia are doomed
And people, stop over analyzing ….. San Marino qualified in 2014, that means anyone is IN with a shot, sometimes a good song and performance CAN qualify just cos it’s good and not cos of the diaspora.
I am waiting for Greece, Bosnia or Romania to flop ……. I want countries with poor qualification record and good songs to go through ….. Czech Republic being one of them, Croatia being AMAZING and Bulgaria also.
I’ve had enough of people voting for a flag instead of a song, LET’S give others a chance EUROPE.
It wili be second time from 2012 to both song at number 1 and 2 to go to final, in 2012 that was Serbia and Macedonia in second semi final , this year it wili be Latvia and Poland.
Interesting in final 2012 Ireland was between Macedonia and Serbia (in that period we have draw by singers not from producer and host and EBU groups), now we have Ireland again between Serbia and Macedonia, Kaliopi sang in 2012 for Macedonia also.
We all see that EBU lobbying so hard for Australia, Malta, Ukraine, Albania, Bosnia and Belgium in semifinal and surprise for Russia in semi, and in final they wili same for Sweden and France.
@EugeneESCUK
Because Czech Republic can sing from spot 10 to 18 place in semi, and they have draw to sing 10 between Russia (favorite on betting odds for win ) and Cyprus (who are on better position on betting odds).
Malta have good draw becuse authors of song is from Sweden, and because Malta invite many members of Eurovison delegation to be members of their juries in national final and if you look Malta always is better with juries result than televote.
EBU ruin Eurovison from 2013 first with draw…
Y’all are extremely silly. I hope you realise that SOMEONE has to have each spot, even spot 1, and 9, and 10, and 18, blaming SVT for ”rigging it” is just stupid. Each song gets put inbetween songs that aren’t similar to it, and the whole reason for that is so that each song gets it’s own chance to shine and we’re not stuck with 6-8 ballads in a row. All this Sweden-hate is getting ridiculous.. Yes, they’ve won ESC twice and gotten 2 3rd placements in 5 the last years. How about instead of being jealous about it, get… Read more »
i like this running order
Malta has got a good song, to end the first semi final, could be a powerful showstopper
and some luck for Belgium, Bulgaria also not a bad draw either
Greece has drawn the shortest straw i guess, along with finland, and the Netherlands between Croatia and Armenia, omg between 2 powerhouse songs
some luck for San Marino has blown away, just before Russia 🙁
Walk on Water is neither bold nor uplifting, but just another blandness inspired by Swedish pop.
Malta and Belgium got lucky: since 2009, only 2 out of 14 countries performing last in the SF failed to qualify (Netherlands in 2009 and Serbia in 2013). Statistically, it’s a very good draw! I think Malta would have qualified anyway, but I thought Belgium wouldn’t survive the SF round. Their chances just went up.
I like draw before 2013
I was initially mad about Czech Republic being in between Russia and Cyprus but I actually think it’ll work out well for them. A beautiful ballad in between an uptempo pop track and a pop rock song will surely stand out. Plus, the juries are sure to rank it highly. I feel like Austria and Estonia will have a little difficulty now, being in between a whole bunch of strong songs. However, I could see all countries in the positions 9-14 qualifying