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Eurovision 2018: What were the first semi-final results and who are the favourites to win?

Cyprus and Israel are favourites in 2018

Ilana Kaplan
Wednesday 09 May 2018 00:21 BST
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Israeli contestant Netta practices during Eurovision rehearsals
Israeli contestant Netta practices during Eurovision rehearsals

Following the first round of semi-finals, Cyprus has emerged as one of the favourites of Eurovision 2018.

The country - represented by contestant Eleni Foureira - will perform her song "Fuego" at the Grand Final.

Her odds of winning went from 66-1 to 5-2 after tonight's semi-finals at Lisbon's Altice Arena.

Israel has been a longstanding favourite of bookmakers, but after this competition singer Netta's odds have dropped 11-4.

Nineteen artists - who performed in a random order - competed for the 10 tickets to the Grand Final on Saturday May 12.

The full list of qualifying countries were: Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Israel and Lithuania.

Ireland qualified for the first final in five years - the last act from Ireland to make the Eurovision final was Ryan Dolan in 2013.

The second night of semi-finals will host 18 participants with the 10 highest-scoring songs qualifying for the Grand Final on May 10.

The Grand Final will feature 26 participants including Portugal (host), Big-5 (Germany, Spain, France, Italy and United Kingdom), the top 10 from the first semi-final and the top 10 from the second semi-final.

Eurovision 2018's Grand Final will take place on May 12.

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