This is finally happening:
after long months of behind-the-scenes preparations and dramas, Israel's Eurovision representative Michael Ben-David will take the stage tonight (Thursday) at the Poetry Competition, which takes place in Turin, Italy - and will try to conquer Europe.
Ben-David will compete tonight against 17 countries, and his song "IM" will be the second song to be performed in the second semi-final, which Finland will open with the band Rasmus, who conquered Europe in 2003 with the hit "In The Shadows".
It is worth noting that half of the points that the participants tonight will receive were already determined last night at the judges' rehearsal, so that the points that will be awarded tonight will be in the hands of the audience only.
On the eve of the semifinals, the Israeli delegation to the competition decided to change strategy: Instead of calling on the continent's residents to support Michael Ben David (who, he remembered, got engaged last night!) As a singer, they appeal to Jewish influencers around the world to encourage their followers to vote for him. , As well as in Michael himself.
According to a press survey conducted yesterday, Israel is not expected to advance to the grand final that will take place on Saturday night - since it is in 12th place (as mentioned, the first 10 ranked will qualify for the final).
Small point of light: The gap between places 8 and 12 is very small.
With peak excitement: Michael Ben-David is getting ready to take the Eurovision stage
Some points do not matter at all to the other contestants tonight, but it is not Eurovision night without fun nonsense details: the singer representing San Marino had previously tried to represent Italy, but when not selected - chose a different direction.
By the way Italy, one of the band members who was supposed to tonight is positive for Corona, and the production is looking for a quick solution.
Northern Macedonia is responsible for one of the biggest scandals this year, after in one of the events of the competition the representative threw the country flag - and was reprimanded.
For a moment there was talk that she would retire from the competition at the last minute, but as mentioned this did not happen in the end.
The Italian production is gaining traction among fans of the competition and even among the delegations, so much so that a Belgian representative announced that due to the failures of the local production - he changed the whole show he had planned and worked on for a long time.
Michael Ben David and members of the Israeli delegation to Eurovision 2022 at the opening ceremony of the competition, Photo: AFP
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