Israel has secured a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest final after qualifying from the first semi-final held in Vienna, Austria. The qualification came as veteran British pop star Boy George, performing with San Marino's entry, faced an early exit from the competition.
Boy George's Performance with San Marino
The 64-year-old Culture Club singer joined San Marino's Senhit on stage at the Wiener Stadthalle to perform the song "Superstar," which he co-wrote. During the performance, Boy George appeared on a silver throne midway through the song, dressed in a black suit with a silver hat, as Senhit shouted his name. Despite the spectacle, San Marino was eliminated from the contest.
Other Eliminated Countries
Alongside San Marino, Portugal, Georgia, Montenegro, and Estonia also failed to advance from the first semi-final. The competition continues with the second semi-final on Thursday, where France and the United Kingdom will perform, automatically qualifying for the final as members of the "Big Four" alongside Italy and Germany. Austria, as the host nation, also has a guaranteed place in the final.
Qualifiers from the First Semi-Final
The ten countries that advanced from the first semi-final are: Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland. These nations will join the automatic qualifiers in the grand final.
