Eurovision 2024: What can fans expect ahead of Saturday's final
After the two semi-finals this week, the final of Eurovision takes place this Saturday in Malmö, Sweden.
The final is contested by 26 countries, with the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and Sweden qualifying automatically for the final.
Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine qualified from Tuesday's first semi-final.
Joining them on Thursday was Armenia, Austria, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.
Bambie Thug
Ireland secured a place in the final after Bambie Thug qualified from Tuesday's semi-final for their performance of Doomsday Blue.
They became the first Irish artist to reach the final since 2018, when Ryan O’Shaughnessy qualified with his song Together.
Bambie Thug has been tipped for a strong showing in Saturday's final by many, with Taoiseach Simon Harris speculating Ireland has a chance of winning the competition.
"They are on the world stage in front of a global audience. I wish Bambie Thug every good luck tomorrow night. I know the whole country will be rooting for them and I know particularly Cork will be rooting for them. We have a real chance."
Graham Norton has also given his backing to Bambie Thug for a successful night in Malmo: “It’s like they’ve won already. So they got through and it’s the first time in ages, and actually they’re tipped to do very well.
"You know, probably top 10, I imagine.”
Protests against Israel
This year's Eurovision has been overshadowed by protests, with the inclusion of Israel leading for calls to boycott the competition.
Israeli singer Eden Golan qualified for the final with her song Hurricane, reworked from a previous track called October Rain, which was thought to be in reference the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th.
Protests took place outside the Malmo arena prior to Thursday's semi-final, and are again expected ahead of Saturday's final.
Swedish police have estimated between 10,000 to 12,000 people took part in the protest march
Golan was also booed during rehearsals on Wednesday, and there were reportedly shouts of “free Palestine”.
Bambie Thug said they were forced to change body paint, written in Ogham script, which translated to ceasefire and freedom, a nod to the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Queers for Palestine also circulated a letter calling for artists to boycott the event due to Israel's actions in Gaza.
Bambie Thug, along with UK entrant Olly Alexander and other Eurovision artists, released a joint statement backing “an immediate and lasting ceasefire” but refusing to boycott the event.
