We were back in Basel for another evening of music as the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 continued with semi-final 2.
There were 16 acts competing in Thursday night’s show, but only 10 of them progressed to the grand final on Saturday.
Taking place in St. Jakobshalle arena, we were guided through proceedings by hosts Hazel Brugger and Sandra Studer.
Eurovision 2025: Semi-final 2 results
Qualifiers
Lithuania: Katarsis – “Tavo Akys”
Israel: Yuval Raphael – “New Day Will Rise”
Armenia: PARG – “SURVIVOR”
Denmark: Sissal – “Hallucination”
Austria: JJ – “Wasted Love”
Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – “La Poupée Monte Le Son”
Finland: Erika Vikman – “ICH KOMME”
Latvia: Tautumeitas – “Bur Man Laimi”
Malta: Miriana Conte – “SERVING”
Greece: Klavdia – “Asteromáta”
Non-qualifiers
Australia: Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man”
Montenegro: Nina Žižić – “Dobrodošli”
Ireland: EMMY – “Laika Party”-
Georgia: Mariam Shengelia – “Freedom” 
Czechia: ADONXS – “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”
Serbia: Princ – “Mila”
Semi-final 2 running order
In addition to the 16 competing acts, three of the automatic qualifiers — United Kingdom, France and Germany — also perform during the show.
1. Australia: Go-Jo – “Milkshake Man”
2. Montenegro: Nina Žižić – “Dobrodošli”
3. Ireland: EMMY – “Laika Party”
4. Latvia: Tautumeitas – “Bur Man Laimi”
5. Armenia: PARG – “SURVIVOR”
6. Austria: JJ – “Wasted Love”
AQ. 
United Kingdom: Remember Monday – “What The Hell Just Happened?”
7. Greece: Klavdia – “Asteromáta”
8. Lithuania: Katarsis – “Tavo Akys”
9. Malta: Miriana Conte – “SERVING”
10. Georgia: Mariam Shengelia – “Freedom”
AQ. 
France: Louane – “maman”
11. Denmark: Sissal – “Hallucination”
12. Czechia: ADONXS – “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”
13. Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – “La Poupée Monte Le Son”
14. Israel: Yuval Raphael – “New Day Will Rise”
AQ. 
Germany: Abor & Tynna – “Baller”
15. Serbia: Princ – “Mila”
16. Finland: Erika Vikman – “ICH KOMME”
Grand final running order draw
Following the semi-final, each of the qualifiers and automatic finalists will draw their position in the grand final.
They can either draw a slot in the first/second half, or they will be given “producer’s choice” — which will allow contest organisers to put them wherever they want.
- Lithuania: Producer’s Choice
- Israel: Producer’s Choice
- Armenia: Second Half
- Denmark: Second Half
- Austria: First Half
- Luxembourg: First Half
- Finland: First Half
- Latvia: Producer’s Choice
- Malta: Producer’s Choice
- Greece: Producer’s Choice
- United Kingdom: Producer’s Choice
- France: Second Half
- Germany: Second Half
Armenia. Thanks to Diaspora. SHAME
I hope Australia quits taking part. Most voters do not understand or accept why Australia takes part and many are hostile to our participation. Even people from the insider bubble who know the history are against it as can be seen in many comments.
Good Bye Eurovision Song Contest.
Georgia was too ambitious for Eurofans with no musical taste.
Such a wild take for such a basic ass song
Georgia was too ambitious for the euro-idiots.
Lithuania, Latvia, and Denmark are pure trash.
Lithuania, Latvia and Denmark are in the final, make peace with it.
This is just my opinion but I think that the detailed Results for The Second Semi Final Were…
16) Georgia
15) Montenegro
14) Ireland
13) Serbia
12) Australia
11) Czechia
10) Latvia
9) Luxembourg
8) Lithuania
7) Malta
6) Armenia
5) Denmark
4) Greece
3) Finland
2) Israel
1) Austria
For me Austria was so underwhelming last night. Staging seemed too much and it ate up the song. Still amazing vocally but I don’t know. The staging isn’t clicking for me.
Greece was a masterpiece of the heart. ??
Can you tell how to check who from Semi2 picked up which half or producer’s choice?
There was no question. It’s in the article
anyone BUT Sweden ,please !
Ireland….what a letdown vocally and stage-wise.
Kiss Kiss Goodbye….really disappointing vocals. I knew that was in trouble. The dance break was jarring and not required.
Georgia and Montenegro …..amazing singers with tepid songs.
Australia….decent performance, but not good enough to persuade the neutral voters.
I’m so sad about Czechia man I am prolly annoying about it on every platform. And also how could we just lose our milkshake man like that. Happy for all the Qs but we just lost so many iconic acts the final won’t feel complete
Happy for Latvia, it was impressive. Maybe the song isn’t everybody’s cup of tea, but you have to admit that the performance with the curtains and projections are great. Peak Eurovision right there. Their NF performance was more like happy fairies in the woods with golden lights and dresses, while the ESC stage was more like mystical water nymphs. I prefer the NF version, but it’s OK: They’re my number 3 right now. Also happy for Lithuania and Greece. Denmark too, although I personally didn’t like it that much, but still happy for the singer and Denmark.
Malta in the final – I’m happy!
I wonder if SBS is winding down Australia’s participation?
They couldn’t exactly quit on a high but the last two years have shown the energy isn’t there. They’ve given a 5 year deal to participate and even had their own national final, but now that’s cancelled and the deal seems to be more an annual thing now.
Also the 10 anniversary of their debut would be a notable time to leave?
Obviously I’m just speculating and really don’t mind if they stay but just something that crossed my mind
I think they will reassess and try harder next year. Bring a bigger name (probably a female) or make a big NF again. Why not ask Dannii Minogue or Natalie Imbruglia with a really good song??
Dannii has the “mother” qualities required. I did not even know what that means until Tuesday.
Did they have problems with in ear monitors last night? Few of them running behind the track at some points. Czechia, UK and Montenegro if I’m not mistaken.
Yeah, it did feel like a lot of acts had at least one mistake in their performance last night. And the sound quality was still off with the music and/or backing vocals, overpowering the lead singer voices.
Yeah, I felt like I didn’t hear Erika at all
I was impressed by Germany’s performance… Could they surprise us in the final?
Me too
Swedish television is already making statements about how it will organize the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest. Arrogance and conceit in all its glory.
They run this show now.
Finland deserve it more
Ironically the city of Malmo has already stated they will not host. It’s rude really let the contest play out first
Malmo said last year that they don’t want to host anymore.
Actually what they also said is that they don’t have the budget to run a good show like last time, and they aren’t keen to host.
I knew that Georgia wouldn’t qualify but I was impressed by Mariam’s performance. Great singer!
I was gutted that she didn’t go through. Amazing vocals, amazing performance, meh song.
Very pleased about Lithuania and Latvia. Greece was quality also.
I actually voted for all three
Just like in the semi final 1 post, here are the updated statistics for the qualification rates of the semi final 2 countries:
Continuing to Q: Finland (since 2021), Lithuania (since 2021), Armenia (since 2022), Austria (since 2023), Israel (since 2023), Greece (since 2024), Latvia (since 2024), Luxembourg (since 2024)
Returned after long NQ Streak with year of Previous Q: Denmark (2019), Malta (2021)
Lost their Qualifying Streak since 2024: Georgia, Ireland, Serbia (2018-2024)
Continuing to NQ: Australia (2 years—last Q in 2023), Czechia (2 years—last Q in 2023), Montenegro (10 years—last Q in 2015)
Why Sweden always gets the best spots in this running order? Bored with that favouritism.
Swedish Christer Björkman always gives Sweden good spots in the running order 🙁
Actually, you will find that Sweden doesn’t have the best spot. They were placed there to dampen their jury score as much as possible. Their televote will not exceed the 300 point mark and that won’t be enough to win.
With Australia failing to qualify two years in a row, I wonder if Australia’s welcome has finally worn out at Eurovision.
answer: yes.
I wouldn’t say so tbh, while milkshake man is a catchy track and the performance was a lot of fun, I think it got dragged down quite a bit by the not-so-great vocals which may have turned a lot of people away from it.
and last year’s song just wasn’t memorable enough, at least for me
but I do hope Australia stays at Eurovision long term
I mean, Czechia was better and didn’t qualify so… In semi 1 Cyprus and Belgium didn’t shock qualify, it’s not that deep. And if you compare Milkshake and Espresso, you have to admit that Espresso is miles better, at least in a sense of fun, camp or general appeal. If Australia would somehow make it to the final, I think a lot of its votes would go to Estonia or even Sweden and he’d finish 20-25.
I just finished watching Semi final 2 and I’m still just trying to catch my breath after that qualifier sequence. So much excitement and I’ve got a lot to say. Welcome back Malta and Denmark to the Eurovision Final! We’ve missed you so much. In addition, welcome to the 2020s, Denmark! It’s about time you got out of the 2010s. For the first time ever (or a long time), all of the Nordic and Baltic countries are in the Eurovision final! In fact, this is the first time that all of the Nordic countries are in the final without one… Read more »
Bringing my opinions after seeing the show (I just did, couldn’t watch it live). The only song I knew was Germany. I’ll try not to be so pointy on comments so w doesn’t ban this My Top 10 1 – Austria: awesome voice, nice camera job and staging, for me it’s a top 3 on saturday (at least) 2 – Armenia: imo the second best performance (between the semifinalists), it pushes the song so up, I liked everything 3 – Greece: I almost had a heart attack at the end thinking of her getting a nq, beautiful voice and a… Read more »
Top ones in this semi were Austria Luxembourg and Israel. These 3 were above and beyond the rest.
I think my favorite was Lithuania. So good.
Then my second was Austria but the black and white is too cold and third was Finland, she’s such a performer!
I knew Australia was going to struggle and NQ, they messed up the staging while Luxembourg was a clear winner in staging and clearly going through. There’s really no surprise for me.
Geeetings from Portugal!!! Good luck to everyone!!!
You know what’s actually funny? Somehow I had a feeling that Lithuania would be the first qualifier announced, mainly to assuage my anxiety towards the country, so consider me surprised when it actually happened!
Lithuania didn’t deserve to qualify
Deserved or not deserved, but qualified! That’s the fact and that’s the score of this game.
100%
from semi 2 for me lithuania,latvia and also greece makes the podium.
i hope,that the jurys recognice the quality of lithuania & latvia in the grand final.
🙂
Is there any chance for finland to win
I sure hope so
YES!
Erika is sooooo coming (pun intended) for the win!
No; because juries will not like the song I think
I tend to agree
No. It’s overhyped in ESC babble. The song is just a declaration and screaming. An regular esc voters (not eurofans) won’t like the vulgarity. It will flop hard tomorrow, mark my words.
Alban!a is gonna win this year!!!!! I’m so happyyy It would be so deserved
Yeah Europe is gonna be really interested in some old man speaking
Does anyone know when the GF running order’s going to be announced? I’m wondering how good of a position they’ll give Sweden (calling 17)
Its out now. Sweden starts as no 23, just before France
The Swedish producer who decides the running order gave his country Sweden running spot 23, just after Portugal and Denmark who narrowly qualified. He favours his country and noone reacts, Sweden should had been randomnly drawn when a Swedish man decides the running order in a ‘contest’
Bored with favoritism towards Sweden; their songs are always overrated and they always get good spots in running orders.
Swap Denmark and Israel with Georgia and Serbia and it’s good.
Also, France going down in odds?? She ATE.
Ate sand and said mammou 100 times.
Say you don’t understand it and move on.
Will understand it when it’s not even top 10 Saturday
How is she going down? She’s THIRD in all the betting sites right now. I don’t think she can beat Austria with the juries, as their song is more impressive both vocally and musically. As per televote, it’s going to be 5-10, not higher. Sweden, Estonia and Finland will destroy the televote. Ukraine and Israel as well – for obvious raesons. France will not make it past sixth place in tele and probably third in juries. Won’t be enough for winning.
Lithuanian diaspora pushing Lithuania to the final again.
And armenian diaspora in France
Yea that too honesty having 10 qualifiers is too much in a field of like 16 countries, it should be like 7 to avoid diaspora pushing borderline acts through.
or some kind of moral redress, voting for the country of origin while living in another country? it’s heresy!!
One of the best songs and performances this semi, but ok.
Largest snoozfest more like.
Agree. Juries should be brought back
Polish diaspora pushed Poland 🙂
Georgia… THE ONLY ONE
Putin-a.
there is only musical judgment on my side, it only implies you if you are biased
She can sing, but the song is dreadful. Only musical judgment.
I just learned that Kaj have bought a big chunk of their song from a music library and it is not original at all. In fact the same melody from the same music library has been bought and used by other artists eg Enough is enough by Devinder Sunny from more than a year ago – you can hear the musical phrase they bought at the 1:06 mark This is something that the song writers freely admit and imho is making a mockery of artists who are actually competing with truly original compositions. I really think the public would be disgusted if they knew… Read more »
I am affraid Czechia, Montenegro and Australia might withdraw next year and it might be the smallest Eurovision in years…:/ i am not a fan of Miriana but i am happy Malta qualified, Otherwise they might have resigned too after two last places in Semis in 2023 & 2024.
Honestly, the songs they present each year are terrible, so no big lose.And with fewer countries possibly participating in the future, this might be the right time to reform the semi-final system by reducing the number of qualifiers. That way, we can stop giving easy passes to low-quality entries like Malta, Poland, Iceland, and Armenia this year.
Why withdraw? It’s a contest and a show. Does it matter if you Q or NQ? Sure, it’s a good thing to Q but a NQ is not the end of the world. Especially small countries need to be present to show their presence to the world.
Another interesting show! A very open semi I thought today. Lots of acts that I thought could’ve been in or out with only about five I thought were locked qualifiers. It’s great to see acts that are bit different getting through this year like Latvia, Lithuania and Portugal. My heart does break a bit for Montenegro, but I would argue Nina was their strongest entry they’ve sent in years and they should be proud anyway.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting Montenegro to qualify, and I don’t they would have done any better even in a better spot in the running order. That awful white shroud just killed what little chance it had, and it felt like they affirmed why we call the number 2 slot the death spot (even though number 3 is really the true death spot as neither Slovenia nor Ireland qualified from it).
Goosebumps from Latvia ?? . So unique!
Are they still using anti-booing tech for I S R? The sound feels really off when they’re on screen.
It’s a kind of mic block that amplifies cheers (which sound louder than they are in the stadium) and which blocks out lower registers like booing. So, yes, the interference you’re picking up on is real.
This is propaganda. Like, if people are booing and you want to silence them it’s one thing. But amplifying the cheers is just broadcasting something that literally did not happen in the arena…
Well time for silvia night, international superstar, to go to sleep. So glad to see so much love for Sweden from y’all, and not trying to push underdogs. See u Saturday after the win, when I can sing Congratulations <333
I can’t wait!
Fun fact: I think it’s the first time in History that there is NO ex-Yugoskavia country in the final.. i wonder who these countries will vote for.. also happy to see Denmark qualifying first time since 2019, and we have all Scandi countries on Saturday:)
Already happened in 2013
In terms of music, I think Poland comes close to the Turbofolk that’s popular in that part of the world. So that will possibly do well. San Marino could also do surprisingly well. Politically minded voters: the liberal half will vote for Ukraine, the other half will probably go with Israel.
It has literally 0 common with turbofolk.
Croatia will vote for France, Italy and Portugal. For other balkan countries I don’t know.
Actually, 2013 was the first time we had no ex-Yugoslav countries in the final period.
Latvia was next level
I’m so thrilled for Latvia, Denmark, Greece, Lithuania, and Luxembourg all making it. I’m sad for Czechia, though it was becoming apparent and not a real shock since the rehearsals. Yep, in the end, the dance break did ruin it. I wish he had kept the original acoustic version from the Maltese NF. It was so deserving of a top 10 finish. Pity.
If you told me after acoustic at Maltese NF that this would NQ I would not have believed you
I have to be up early, but I can’t sleep. The Eurovision magic is not dead after all. Adrenaline lives on.
I have to get up in 5 hours. I’m definitely feeling the Eurovision spirit again after it almost died last year.
Just another 48 hours, we can do it
Let’s kiss
poland is great to close the show
Agree… a nice contrast to opening in 1995
You’re right again
Yea, closing the final like finishing dead last hahaha.
so potential openers are norway, luxembourg or netherlands, i think luxembourg will open
I think Norway
yeah, i really think it will be one of those 2
Are they using anti-booing technology again for Israel? The sound feels really different when they’re on screen. It’s frankly getting outrageous to edit the reality like that, this is propaganda.
Tavo, tavo, tavo, tavo, tavo…
If a French-language song wins, it will be the first since almighty Celine herself. How appropriate.
I would have swapped Australia for Armenia but the qualifiers make sense, don’t expect it to win but I’ll be team Switzerland on Saturday