Stunning show puts Cyprus entrant in Eurovision final (updated)

The stripped-back performance with stunning light show of Andrew Lambrou, Cyprus’ Eurovision contestant, wowed audiences at the second semi-final on Thursday night, securing him a spot in the grand finale on Saturday in Liverpool.

Lambrou gave an impressive performance of his song ‘Break a Broken Heart’ in the semi-final, where he had been pegged as the second favourite in the betting.

Cyprus qualified along with Albania, Estonia, Belgium, Austria, Lithuania, Poland, Australia, Armenia and Slovenia.

Greece, however, with ‘What They Say’, performed by Viktoras Vernikos, failed to qualify.

In an early outlook of the odds for the final, Lambrou seems to only be cracking the top 20, with the showdown for the top spot looking to be between Sweden and Finland.

However, tweeting his support Depa leader Marios Garoyian said that Lambrou’s performance at the semi-final was moving.

“A dynamic presence, mesmerising voice, it was one of the best songs & made us proud. Now let’s go for another great performance in the final. Good luck Cyprus,” Garoyian tweeted.

Ukraine also looks to be making it to the top three. The country had won last year, with the popular vote securing them the victory. But despite winning, the ongoing situation with the Russian invasion meant the UK, which came second, hosted this year’s contest.

Following the second semi-final, it emerged that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky had requested to make an address during the final, which was quickly denied by the Eurovision broadcasting union.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the contest, said it had declined Zelensky’s request because “The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation.

“As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event.

“This principle prohibits the possibility of making political or similar statements as part of the contest.

“The request by Mr Zelensky to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event.”

This year’s Eurovision song contest final, the 67th in the series to be held in Liverpool, is expected to attract an estimated 100,000 viewers.

It can be viewed in Cyprus on CyBC, CyBC HD and the third radio station. A party will also be held at RED music stage in Nicosia organised by Accept, the British High Commission and the Embassy of Ukraine during which the contest will be live screened.