Eurovision 2017 semi final allocation draw

The Eurovision 2017 semi-final allocation draw took place on January 31 live from the Column Hall of Kyiv’s City State Administration. Host broadcaster UA:PBC determined two important aspects of the semis-finals for Kyiv.

Through a random draw, they assigned the Big 5 countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) and host country Ukraine to vote in one of the two semi-finals. They also assigned the remaining 37 countries to the two semi-finals.

The precise running order of the semi-finals will be determined by the show’s producers once all songs have been submitted to the EBU.

Where do the Big Five and Ukraine Vote?

First semi-final

  • Italy
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom

Second semi-final

  • Germany (NDR requested this semi-final and it was granted by the reference group)
  • France
  • Ukraine

Eurovision 2017 semi-finals: Allocation draw

First semi-final

First half

  • Montenegro
  • Finland
  • Georgia
  • Portugal
  • Belgium
  • Sweden
  • Albania
  • Azerbaijan
  • Australia

Second half

  • Cyprus
  • Slovenia
  • Armenia
  • Moldova
  • Czech Republic
  • Latvia
  • Iceland
  • Greece
  • Poland

Second semi-final

First half

  • FYR Macedonia
  • Malta
  • The Netherlands
  • Serbia
  • Denmark
  • Russia
  • Romania
  • Hungary
  • Austria
  • Ireland

Second half

  • Switzerland (SRF requested this semi-final and it was granted by the reference group)
  • Estonia
  • Israel
  • Bulgaria
  • San Marino
  • Lithuania
  • Croatia
  • Norway
  • Belarus

Eurovision Semi-Final allocation draw pots

Ahead of the draw countries were placed into the following pots. The countries are grouped based on historic voting patterns. This is to help ensure each semi-final is not dominated by countries that may all vote for each other by default. Very much a case of celebrating diversity!

Pot one is the Balkan region plus Switzerland, pot 2 is the Nordics, pot 3 looks to eastern Europe and Israel, pot 4 takes a journey from Hungary in the north to Cyprus in the south, pot 5 is the leftovers, and pot 6 is the remaining north-western countries.

Pot 1

Albania
FYR Macedonia
Montenegro
Slovenia
Croatia
Serbia
Switzerland

Pot 2

Denmark
Finland
Norway
Iceland
Estonia
Sweden

Pot 3

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Russia
Israel

Pot 4

Hungary
Cyprus
Greece
Romania
Moldova
Bulgaria

Pot 5

Portugal
Australia
Czech Republic
Malta
Austria
San Marino

Pot 6

Belgium
The Netherlands
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think? How would you like the countries to be split? Share your thoughts below!

Read more Eurovision 2017 news here

121 Comments
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Corey
6 years ago

Great blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Cheers

SpirK
SpirK
7 years ago

So I did some math and based solely on them, the Semi Final 1 countries have a total qualification ratio of 56% and 10 of them have a qualification ratio of 50% or higher individually. In contrast, Semi Final 2 countries have a total qualification ratio of 51% and also 10 of them have a qualification ratio of 50% or higher individually. These countries are (from highest to lowest ratio) Semi Final 1: Azerbaijan, Australia, Greece, Armenia, Sweden, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland, Finland and Albania with Cyprus missing out with 45%. Semi Final 2: Russia, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Norway, Denmark, Lithuania,… Read more »

ESC Croatia
ESC Croatia
7 years ago

First Semi-Final is a major bloodbath!

Magpie
Magpie
7 years ago

@Niko in response to your facts: 1. Montenegro was in the second semi final in 2015. 3. Armenia and Azerbaijan were in separate semi finals in both 2009 and 2015 Here are some other interesting facts. 1. This will be the first year that San Marino and Azerbaijan will be in separate semifinals. 2. This is the fifth year in a row Switzerland will perform in the second semifinal. 3. Finland and Iceland have constantly been in the same semifinal with the exceptions of 2008, 2014 and 2015. 4. Greece has always performed in the second half of the first… Read more »

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

@Malter Well I HAVE looked at the participants and there is no one that is Loreen level. I very well believe that Portugal may do good, but we have to see.

Kungen
Kungen
7 years ago

Oxana, are you okay?

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

@an esc fan: Wait a minute. There was an allocation draw. The female presenter drew a paper from each pot and then the male presenter drew a paper which defined the part of the semi final the country will compete. In each round they changed the semi – final pot. (I hope I am understood). How rigged the draw could be in favour of Sweden? Come on!
They could easily be in a different semi and also last year Greece was in the 1st semi and Cyprus in the 2nd. ( G:son again as a composer).

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Yasss Gawd In the venue no one from organizers can treat “guests” with disrespects. But people have no obligations to treat ambassador of enemy country like Gods. Kyiv has 2-3 millions of population, some 20-30 000 of people can easily make a party near the hotel where Russians are staying to make their live a torture. We still have freedom of gathering and can sing and dance or shout nasty things as we please. using rotten tomatoes and spoiled eggs also not prohibited on the street or concerts. what is the difference who pay for what? Russia killed 10000 of… Read more »

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
7 years ago

@Frau Von Storch

Why is it unfortunate that Greece will most likely qualify? In my opinion that is a mean thing to say.

DR
DR
7 years ago

Yess Gawd

You’re right. Every country must pay to enter the contest. It happened after Sweden pulled out in 1976 as the could afford to host it after 1975. Typically it’s about £4 million from the total number of countries. Most of the bill is payed by the host broadcaster but a sizeable chunk is given to them by the rest of Europe.

Yasss Gawd
Yasss Gawd
7 years ago

Oxana,
Do you really think that Ukraine is the only country this year who pays for event? What about EBU with UK and the rest automatic qualifiers? Hosting doesn’t give any advantage or opportunity to treat people like sh!t. It is still an international contest involving lots of money from the biggest European countries, so just deal with it, Kiev is just a place where all this money will be spent. And trust if the reference group will notice ANY disrespect for ANY delegation – heads will roll.

Niko
Niko
7 years ago

I will try to make a prediction for 2018 Eurovision and for the years ahead: 100% qualifiers: Sweden, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Romania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Greece and Australia. This is why: – Sweden (great songs, huge interest and the most elaborate national selection~Melodiefestivalen; Always qualifying, except 2010 when their song was really bad) – Russia (the biggest country from the ex Soviet countries, drawn votes from all of them: Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and even Georgia and Ukraine still vote for the Russians, but also some other countries because Russia is putting and effort, they have outstanding performances – just look… Read more »

Milla
Milla
7 years ago

Let Sweden (my country) start as nr.1 or 2 in the first semi and see what will happen 🙂 If we deliver a good song and performance this year as well that can stay in people’s memory I don’t think it matters. Sure, it’s sometimes better to start late because the song and the performance is easier to remember but at the end of the day it’s really about having a complete package. Bring good songs and performances to the contest that appeals to the masses and there’s a big chance you’ll get to the final.

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

@AngieP
I understand that your country is Greece, wonderful country, but the friendship between Greece and Cyprus is notorious, it is not possible for them to be in the same semifinal, only if EBU wants Thomas G:son (composer of Cyprus song) to do well. Please Europe, stop swedish mafia.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

GuyGuy “During this allocation draw, the only country that didn’t receive applause was Russia (48:30)…Ouch! But on the bright side, at least they didn’t boo them either!!” yep, I have noticed that menace silence too. no booing because people in hall were mostly officials (they can’t boo but can refrain from cheering as we saw). also face of the co-host Timur when he said “this is what we have for you” was interesting. I can imagine how crowd will “greet” Russians, they can boo and shout what they please 🙂 maybe that’s the reason why Russia is still not announced… Read more »

Crispycookie
Crispycookie
7 years ago

Albania, Georgia and Finland being in the same part of the same semi final ( which is already a bloodbath to begin with ) is REALLY not boding well for them. Finland probably has the most chance to qualify out of these 3.

Spence
Spence
7 years ago

Can we stop predicting who will go through to the final by using a song that hasn’t even been selected yet. So don’t use it to justify a prediction when you don’t know if it will even be at Eurovision.

Magpie
Magpie
7 years ago

Oh c’mon you all know what will happen here… Greece will perform last and win the first semi final and whoever performs 2nd last will ultimately end up qualifying and end up winning the competition.

Happened both times in 2008 and 2011 when there were 43 countries participating.

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

@Robyn Gallagher
That’s not completely true tho.
Russia’s song last year wasn’t that modern, innovative or special It’s not like other countries haven’t sent a similar tune in the late 2000’s…. The performance made it memorable.
If u strip the performance down and submit it as a Portuguese entry …. Would have placed 15th-20th in the final.

Racal
Racal
7 years ago

It’s kinda ridiculous to make rankings now based on nothing (although clearly some countries got a luckier draw than others)… What’s even more ridiculous is people predicting that Georgia will qualify so easily. Have you actually heard the song? That woman does nothing but screaming like she’s in labor…

Georgia has neighbours in their semi, but a good song would have been a better thing to have. 😀

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

@Aaron GR
Well, provides they participate, I can actually predict that Sweden, Russia, Azerbaijan, Romania, Ukraine and Australia will qualify in 2018 just because…it’s Eurovision and for some reason these countries are always favoured.

Aaron GR
Aaron GR
7 years ago

Is somebody going to predict the running order and qualifiers for 2018?

Calm your tits. Jesus.

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

Now some comments on the allocation draw. 1st semi: Generally stronger than the 2nd. Really happy my country Greece is in the same semi as Cyprus! Again in the 1st semi, as usual. 2nd half : great! I really believe we’ll qualify! Now, Australia will certainly qualify, Sweden the same. I’m a bit worried about Finland, as it’s in the first half of a strong semi. Belgium had a bad draw, no neighbouring countries to support. Things are difficult. They need a great song to go through. Good to see Spain with Portugal, though Portugal needs a really good song.… Read more »

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

Some comments on what I read: I couldn’t agree more with @Robyn Gallagher. In some cases, it doesn’t matter which country sends the song. If it’s a great WOW song, it qualifies. This doesn’t happen with all countries unfortunately, as @Racal points out correctly. I am already convinced that Russia will qualify whichever the song. Usually they do send good songs, but some times no. In an ideal contest all countries should have the same chances to qualify or not as well as neighbouring countries not affect the result. But this is too difficult and that’s Eurovision. I totally agree… Read more »

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

I don’t know why everybody is freaking out over semi final 1. It’s really predicable: Sweden, Australia, Portugal, Greece, and Finland all will qualify with no problem. Semi final 2 is clearly the scary one. We might lose a lot of good countries, perhaps even have Russia’s first non-qualification. If Estonia and Hungary serve up the best from their selections (Kerli and Totova), then we might see them winning the semi, perhaps even the entire thing. Looks pretty exciting, definitely will be tuning in to Kiev on March 11th.

BB
BB
7 years ago

I think Hungary has good chances to qualify because they are together with their diaspora.For the first time they are together with Romania( where 1.2 million Hungarians live), Serbia ( another 300.000 Hungarians live in Voivodina region), Austria, Croatia has also Hungarians and off course Ukraine with another 300 Hungarians.So im hopping for them to pick a good entry.

Erasmus
Erasmus
7 years ago

I couldn’t agree with @leaf more. We can’t make predictions before ALL the songs are known. And yeah I think a lot of surprises will show up in this year.

AlexESC
AlexESC
7 years ago

So as everyone is saying Semi 1 is DEFINITELY a lot stronger and my country (Albania) has very low chances of qualifying… Lets make a running order prediction :): 1. Azerbaijan (I don’t know why, but I’m pretty sure) (Q. Maybe around 5th place) 2. Finland (BQ. Probably 9th.) 3. Sweden (Q. Pretty sure it will be 1st if Loreen wins) 4. Portugal 5. Belgium 6. Albania 7. Australia (Q. 3rd place I predict) 8. Montenegro (BQ. 8th place for me.) 9. Georgia 10. Slovenia 11. Moldova 12. Iceland 13. Armenia (Q. 7th.) 14. Cyprus (Q. 6th.) 15. Poland (BQ.… Read more »

Tom
Tom
7 years ago

@Ron – my partner and I visited Kyiv for a holiday over new year and it was very safe. I was concerned about this before we went but once we were there I felt safer than I have done in many parts of Western Europe. The people were very friendly and welcoming but don’t speak much English – make sure you brush up on your Ukrainian and Russian!

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
7 years ago

My god, Semi-Final 1 will be EXTREME! Perhaps even Russia will be in trouble, or even Sweden! Semi-Final 2 seems easy, maybe even for San Marino to advance.

Ron
Ron
7 years ago

Ok, people it’s very early to make predictions – we haven’t even heard the songs. Semi-final 1 is definitely going to be a tough one given very competitive countries are in that semi-final, and I’m quite sure Sweden, Greece, Armenia, Australia and Latvia (they have strong entries) will qualify. I’m going to make a prediction in that I believe Azerbaijan is not going to make it to the final this year. But again, way too early to make predictions. On a related topic – how safe is Kiev? I’ve been to Ukraine before, but I’ve been to the west side… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

@Oxana: I like your imagination. 🙂

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

@Oxana
If Russia will not participate, everything will be changed, but I doubt they will miss. They will be there even if the world will burn. Russia will never abandon an european competition, even if the end of the world will come, Kirkorov will still be working. For countries like Russia, and also Ukraine, being european is not a given to be taken for granted, like UK does.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Nope, I’m not going to predict anything based on previous record. I mean Greece missed out on their 100% qualification last year. Nor am I going to predict anything based on 5 entries.
This means absolutely nothing, just a random list of countries. A good song comes from everywhere!

Jordan Munn
Jordan Munn
7 years ago

It definitely seems like semi final 2 seems to be the stronger of the two semi finals from what we have so far. I can definitely see Montenegro opening the first semi as Slavko Kalezic will certainly have a big show! I am hoping for good things 😀

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

we need to predict based on given data? OK 🙂

I predict-
Russia won’t qualify because they won’t show up in Kyiv at all (chicken mode)
2d semifinal wil produce well packed set of usual neighbors (Eastern Europe countries + Israel + Baltics) with extra points because Russia is missing

now prove me I’m wrong 🙂

malter
malter
7 years ago

@Roelof Meesters “Portugal is Portugal” except that they are stronger than ever. No more language rule, the best Portuguese composers are finally competing in their national selection, and so are the artists. For the first time in decades, you look at the list of the competing acts in Festival da Cancao and your reaction is: “Wait, WHAT??? HE IS COMPETING? SHE IS AS WELL?” So yeah, you better expect something big coming from Portugal.

Amor Amankwah
Amor Amankwah
7 years ago

Hey, out of curiosity, what were the names of the presenters?

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

Ireland has been in the first half of semi 2 now for the past few years. Can’t they mix it up a little?? Not happy either that Russia, Lithuania and Belarus are in the same semi and having Ukraine voting in it. As for qualifiers for semi 2, well, there is really only 8 places available as Russia and Romania will of course get them, but also a lot of the songs haven’t been revealed yet. Brendan Murray will have to come to the stage with something amazing if we are to finally get back into the finals. But I’m… Read more »

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

So pointless to make predictions when only 5 songs are known and we have 38 more songs to be revealed. And there are always surprises, last year countries with 100% qualification rate missed out on the FINAL (Greece,Bosnia&Herzegovina) and they were replaced with countries that rarely qualify (Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria). So the point of the contest is that at the very end It is still a SONG contest. Predictions without a song …… plain stupid. I have high hopes for the underdogs this year ….. Czech Republic, San Marino, Macedonia, Moldova, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Croatia and Portugal …….. HOPE THEY… Read more »

David
David
7 years ago

OMG..you really make me laugh…making predictions just based on “nothing” ..just few songs have been released..

Hersi
Hersi
7 years ago

SF1 is rough. Sweden,Azerbaijan,Armenia,Australia, Greece, and most likely Georgia will qualify. That literally leaves Finland,Latvia,Slovenia,Montenegro, and Moldova to battle it out. SF2 is easier. Russia wins, Estonia close behind, Belarus scoring highly as well,Lithuania,Serbia,Romania,and Hungary also likely to qualify.Especially with Ukraine voting here, this’ll definitely help bump up Belarus if the juries don’t like the song too much (but you never know, they might !)

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

I love Greece and Cyprus, but this system was created to separate friends, how was possible for them to be in the same semifinal?
Was it just a mistake or help for swedish songwriters?

4li3n
4li3n
7 years ago

Why are all Greeks think that Greece will win? Calm down Greece, it’s too early!

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

SF 1: Allmost all people say that this SF is strong. Sweden will qualify with EASE, but there is one country that will win. GREECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And this is why: – Second Half – Cyprus, Armenia, Montenegro, Australia and Portugal ARE ALL HERE – Demy is an AMAZING singer – Greece is Greece. Also, Armenia and Azerbaijan are here, so they will fight, BUT all Caucasian countries are here (Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia), so Georgia stands a chance. Moldova will send Sunstroke Project, Australia will qualify, and Montenegro will send a very special performance. But there are also others. Latvia, Slovenia,… Read more »

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

This is WAY TOO EARLY for serious predictions… 🙂 Come on… it’s not even the actual draw, it’s only semis and deciding which half. There is SO MUCH FACTORS unknown at this point, starting with the actual songs.

All I know is that Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan always qualify and we (Croatians) have managed to dodge two of them this time. I think I will consider voting Belarus, unless many better semi 2 songs appear. Too bad I will not be able to help Finland pass the final, but I am confidant Blackbird’s beauty will do it anyway.

tom
tom
7 years ago

Poor Czech Republic 🙁

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

These predictions regarding running order and qualification are ridiculous and pointless. As if Eurovision was that predictable…

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

SF 2: I’m Dutch, and I really wanted to be in SF 1, but o well. For the first time EVER, Russia is in SF 2, and is the clear favorite here. The first half is STRONG (Serbia, Malta, Russia, The Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark and Romania) but the second half is meh (with only Norway and maybe Belarus, Lithuania and Estonia) but there are also countries who qualified last year and done well. (Austria, Israel, Lithuania, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Malta) San Marino is looking OK, Ireland and Macedonia are DEAD. If Switzerland selects Timebelle, it MAY be a borderline qualifier… Read more »

Darius
Darius
7 years ago

@EurovisionMonaco:
Regarding your running order for the 1semifinal: 3 – Finland and 4 – Georgia = It’s not gonna work, similar type of songs (both ballads). The organizers will stuck an up-tempo song between them.

For the 2nd semifinal closing act I agree with you, I’m almost 100% sure Belarus will end up the 2nd semi with that energy song.

@Polegend Godgarina – Same thing for your places in the 1st semi: 5 – Georgia and 6 – Albania, two ballads one after another? Neh, the producers won’t let this happen’…