It was not meant to be: Eva Marija's lyrics, stage presence, and whimsical elegance were not enough to charm international audiences the same way she had captured the hearts of Luxembourg.
The favourites across the roster did not disappoint. Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Norway were the first qualifying countries to be announced. Also through are Australia, Romania, Malta, Cyprus, Albania, Denmark, and Czechia.
Austria went straight through as this year's host country. Thursday also saw performances from the 'Big Four' countries, including France and the United Kingdom. While 17-year-old Monroe from France showed a strong stage presence, the UK's LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER attracted a mix of ridicule and some subconscious head bops.
