Eurovision 2026: Australia, Denmark, and Romania Advance to Final Amid Controversy
The finalists for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna have been confirmed following the second semi-final. Australia’s Delta Goodrem advanced with her ballad 'Eclipse,' meeting high expectations, while Denmark’s Sören Torpegaard Lund qualified with the provocative pop track 'For Vi Gar Hjem.' Romania’s Alexandra Capitanescu also secured a spot despite controversy surrounding her song 'Choke Me,' which critics accused of trivializing sexually motivated choking. Major betting favorites Finland and Greece had previously qualified from the first semi-final, whereas Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Armenia, Switzerland, and Latvia were eliminated. Germany’s representative, Sarah Engels, automatically qualified as a main sponsor but ranks poorly in betting odds, placed 23rd among the 25 finalists. The event is marked by significant geopolitical tension, as the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland boycotted the competition in protest of Israel’s participation and the ongoing war in Gaza. Despite these absences, Israel remains a contender alongside Finland and Greece. The final will feature twenty-five countries, including automatic qualifiers France, Great Britain, Italy, Austria, and Germany, celebrating the contest's milestone anniversary amidst divided European participation.
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