Eurovision Song Contest 2026 First Semi-Final Held In Vienna, Noam Bettan Advances To Final

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026’s first of two semifinals took place at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna on Tuesday 12 May, with the show broadcast live on Rai 2 and in streaming on RaiPlay and RaiPlay Sound.

“Martedì 12 maggio alla Wiener Stadthalle di Vienna è di scena la prima delle due semifinali”

Corriere della Sera

The Rai 2 broadcast was commented by Gabriele Corsi and Elettra Lamborghini, while radio coverage on Rai Radio 2 used a radiocronaca by Diletta Parlangeli and Matteo Osso with Martina Martorano as an envoy from Vienna.

All Music Italia

In the first semifinal, 15 of the 35 countries in the contest performed, joined by two automatic qualifiers, Sal Da Vinci for Italy and Sarah Engels for Germany, and the evening determined which 10 countries advanced to the final on Saturday 16 May.

The Corriere della Sera schedule for the first semifinal listed the performance order from 01 Moldavia - Satoshi Viva, Moldova! through 15 Serbia - Lavina Kraj mene, with Israel’s Noam Bettan - Michelle placed at 10.

The BBC and other outlets framed the contest as Eurovision’s 70th edition, with the first semifinal running on Tuesday 12 May and the final scheduled for Saturday 16 May.

During Israel’s performance in the Wiener Stadthalle, some audience members shouted “Stop, stop the genocide,” and the Corriere della Sera described the moment as part of the reception to the Israeli competitor.

In Vienna, Israel’s Noam Bettan qualified for the grand final after his first performance of “Michelle” drew applause as well as boos and whistles from anti-Israel protesters in the audience, according to JNS.org.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Bettan told JNS.org after leaving the stage that “The protests were “really, really loud, but I focused on the performance,”” and he said, “I searched with my eyes for the Israeli flags in the crowd. That strengthened me.”

The JNS.org account also said Palestinian flags could be seen in the arena during Bettan’s performance, and that several people were reportedly removed by security after disrupting the contest.

The Corriere della Sera also reported that after protests before the event, Israel’s exhibition was met by the “Stop, stop the genocide” chant from some people in the audience.

After the first semifinal, 10 countries advanced to the grand final on Saturday 16 May, including Sweden and Israel, with the results confirmed after Semi-Final 1 at the Wiener Stadthalle on Tuesday 12 May, according to PinkNews.

“The results were confirmed after Semi-Final 1 at the Wiener Stadthalle on Tuesday (12 May)”

PinkNews

PinkNews listed the 10 Grand Final qualifiers from Semi-Final 1 as Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Maldova, Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania and Poland, while noting that Italy and Germany were automatic qualifiers who also performed.

Eurofestival Italia reported that the first semifinal ended with 10 nations qualifying for the final and 5 eliminated, and it said the televote weighed 50.7% while the vote of national juries weighed 49.3%.

The same Eurofestival Italia account said the eliminated countries were Portogallo, Georgia, Montenegro, Estonia and San Marino, and it added that the next round, the Seconda Semifinale, would be broadcast on Thursday 14 maggio.

All Music Italia also stated that the 10 qualified acts would join the Big 4 and Austria for the final on sabato 16 maggio, and it said the second semifinal would air on giovedì 14 maggio.