Running order for Eurovision Semi-Finals decided

Copenhagen, Denmark - Today, we can reveal the running order for the Semi-Finals of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

To let all entries shine, the running order for the Semi-Finals was decided this year - as it was in 2013 - by the producers of the shows and approved by the EBU Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand and the Chairman of the Reference Group, Dr. Frank Dieter Freiling.
After the producers reviewed all entries, the following running order was decided on for the Semi-Finals:

Semi-Final 1

1. Armenia
2. Latvia
3. Estonia
4. Sweden
5. Iceland
6. Albania
7. Russia
8. Azerbaijan
9. Ukraine
10. Belgium
11. Moldova
12. San Marino
13. Portugal
14. The Netherlands
15. Montenegro
16. Hungary

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Participants of the first Semi-Final

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At this stage, the advertising breaks are set to be after the 5th and 12th song. Their positions may still change.

Semi-Final 2

1. Malta
2. Israel
3. Norway
4. Georgia
5. Poland
6. Austria
7. Lithuania
8. Finland
9. Ireland
10. Belarus
11. F.Y.R. Macedonia
12. Switzerland
13. Greece
14. Slovenia
15. Romania

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Participants of the second Semi-Final

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For this show, the advertising breaks are set to be after the 5th and 12th song. Their positions may still change.
As the last qualifiers for the Grand Final will be decided after the second Semi-Final takes place on the 8th of May in Copenhagen, Denmark.

How did we get to the running order?

The producers did not decide the full running order but the participating countries were first drawn to the two Semi-Finals and to the first or second half of the shows. That was done on the 20th of January at the Semi-Final Allocation Draw.
To assure a fair distribution and sufficient availability of tickets over neighbouring countries, the Reference Group also decided that Sweden and Norway would perform in different Semi-Finals at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. A draw held at the EBU headquarters determined that Sweden would participate in the first Semi-Final, and Norway would be represented in the second Semi-Final.
Israel will take part in the second Semi-Final due to the first Semi-Final falling on their Independence day.
In addition to that, the host country, Denmark was drawn their exact performing position at the Grand Final - 23rd - at the Head of Delegation meeting a week ago to ensure fairness.
It was also drawn which Semi-Final the already qualified countries, the so-called Big 5 - Germany, Spain, France, the UK, Italy - and the Host Country of Denmark will broadcast and vote in.

First Semi-Final

• Denmark
• France
• Spain

Second Semi-Final

• Germany
• Italy
• United Kingdom

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Participants of the Grand Final

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The German broadcaster ARD requested to air and vote in the second Semi-Final which was approved by the Reference Group.
For the Final, the first and second half of the Grand Final will be drawn at the winner's press conferences of the Semi-Finals. The final running order will the be decided the latest by 3:00 am on the 9th of May.
This year's Eurovision Song Contest will take place on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May in Copenhagen, Denmark. 37 countries are set to take part in this year's edition of Europe's favourite TV show.