Basel, Switzerland — The stage is set for Saturday’s grand finale of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest. After two nights of glitter, drama, and high-octane performances, 26 countries have qualified to compete for Europe’s most coveted pop crown in Basel — a city historically neutral in politics but anything but neutral this year when it comes to the contest’s increasingly fraught cultural context.

The second semi-final on Thursday night saw Austria’s JJ, Malta’s Miriana Conte, and Israel’s Yuval Raphael among those securing their spots in the final. Their acts will now join Tuesday’s qualifiers such as Sweden’s sauna-loving KAJ, Ukraine’s rock band Ziferblat, and the Netherlands’ soulful balladeer Claude. But while the musical spectacle remains dazzling, the political undertones have reached an unprecedented crescendo.

A Night of Glitz and Upsets

Thursday’s semi-final, as it can be read in Euronews, was a whirlwind of vocal bravado and visual excess. Austria’s JJ delivered a baroque-pop tour de force with “Wasted Love” , blending countertenor virtuosity with modern electro beats — a performance that immediately rocketed him to bookmakers’ favorite status. Meanwhile, Malta’s Miriana Conte embraced full-on camp with her tongue-in-cheek anthem “Serving” , performed amidst giant lips and a rotating disco ball — a classic Eurovision moment if ever there was one.

Other qualifiers include Denmark, Armenia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Greece — each bringing their own distinct flavor to the mix. Luxembourg also made a triumphant return to the final after years of semi-final heartbreak, with its entrant delivering a genre-blending fusion of folk and synth-pop.

From the first semi-final on Tuesday, standout entries included Sweden’s quirky “Bara Bada Bastu” , which paid homage to the country’s beloved sauna culture, and Ukraine’s hard-rock entry “Bird of Pray” , which many are interpreting as a rallying cry amid ongoing war with Russia.

The Big Five and Host Country Automatic Qualifiers

As per tradition, the “Big Five” nations — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK — along with host country Switzerland, automatically advanced to the final, regardless of jury or public votes. These five contribute the lion’s share of funding to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), ensuring their presence in the final no matter what.

Switzerland, hosting for the first time since 1989, has rolled out the red carpet for the continent’s biggest music event. Yet despite the Swiss reputation for neutrality, the country has found itself at the center of a maelstrom over one particular qualifier: Israel.

Israel’s Presence Dominates Political Discourse

For the second consecutive year, Eurovision has been shadowed by controversy over Israel’s participation. Yuval Raphael, who survived the Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival on October 7, is representing Israel with “New Day Will Rise” . Her story has resonated deeply with some, yet ignited protests from others.

During Raphael’s rehearsal on Thursday, a large Palestinian flag was unfurled in the crowd — prompting swift intervention by security personnel. Organizers from Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR confirmed the individuals were escorted out of the venue.

Outside the arena, hundreds gathered in central Basel on Wednesday evening to protest both Israel’s military actions in Gaza and its presence in the competition. Many protesters pointed to the precedent set in 2022, when Russia was banned from participating following its invasion of Ukraine.

“It should be a happy occasion that Eurovision is finally in Switzerland, but it’s not,” said one demonstrator. “How can we rightfully exclude Russia but still welcome Israel?”

The EBU has maintained a firm stance: Eurovision must remain politically neutral. In response to mounting pressure, including calls from public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, Iceland, and Belgium, the organization reiterated that participation is based solely on geographic and membership criteria, not political considerations.

More than 70 former Eurovision contestants, including last year’s winner Nemo, signed a letter urging the EBU to reconsider Israel’s inclusion. Nemo told HuffPost UK that “Israel’s actions are fundamentally at odds with the values that Eurovision claims to uphold — peace, unity, and respect for human rights.”

Despite the tension, Raphael struck a conciliatory tone in post-semi-final interviews. “We are here to sing,” she said. “And I’m going to sing my heart out for everyone.”

A City Divided, A Contest Unsettled

In a show of solidarity, a separate demonstration supporting Israel and condemning antisemitism was held in Basel on Thursday. Participants emphasized the importance of free expression and artistic representation, even amid geopolitical conflict.

With the final lineup now complete, all eyes turn to Saturday’s showdown — where jury votes and televotes will determine who takes home the glass microphone trophy.

Austrian sensation JJ, Swedish sauna serenader KAJ, and Ukrainian rockers Ziferblat are early favorites, though surprises are always part of Eurovision’s DNA.

But beyond the sequins and spotlights, Eurovision 2025 may go down in history less for its winning song and more for the questions it raises about the intersection of art, identity, and geopolitics.

As the lights dim and the final notes rise into the Basel night, one thing is clear: Eurovision remains more than just a song contest — it’s a mirror reflecting the joys, tensions, and divisions of contemporary Europe.