Day 5. Live Blog 2nd Rehearsals

Today we will follow the 2nd rehearsals in Ahoy, and will keep you informed live.                                                 In Cooperation with: Eurovision Artists. Photo & Video Credits: EBU

17.15 – Ukraine

Last of the day Go_A, performs with a stand-in (Emmy) for singer Kateryna Pavlenko. Kateryna did not feel quite fit this morning, and in accordance with the security measures, she remains in quarantine pending a Covid-19 test. Whether the stand-in Emmy sings live, or whether the tape recording from the first rehearsal was used, is not entirely clear. Fact is, whether you like this genre or not … the act is rock solid. With a 9th place in the polls, Ukraine will undoubtedly easily qualify for the final.

16.50 – Azerbaijan

Also today, Efendi puts down a solid rehearsal. Here and there some minor flaws in song and dance, and a little more conviction than last Sunday. 21st place in the poll. A place in the final is certainly not excluded.

 

16.25 – Romania

Roxen performs in the same comfortable as last Sunday. Although vocally a little bit stronger than during the 1st rehearsal, Roxen comes across as nervous and anxious, which does not help her voice and the strong message of her song. 16th in the polls … Final perhaps , if she manages to recover.

16.00 – Israel

During the first rehearsal it became clear that it is sometimes difficult for Eden to combine singing and dancing. The whole act looks energic and modern, but also today, Eden has trouble with the combination of singing and dancing. 17th in the polls, but will Israel make it to the final?

 

15.35 – Belgium.

Hooverphonic still impresses today with their modest, sober and well-thought-out act. A welcome change from all the visual violence. Only a 20th place in the polls, but hopefully thanks to the professional jury we will see Belgium back in the final.

14.45 – Croatia

Vocally, this rehearsal sounds a lot better than the first. The act is well put together, Albina herself still seems a bit insecure and nervous. Hopefully she will get over that before Tuesday. Own the stage girl!! With a 19th place in the polls, a final place should certainly be possible.

14.20 – Norway

Today TIX puts on a much better rehearsal than last saturday, when the nerves seemed to be playing tricks on him. TIX has a high favor- and sympathy factor, and with a 15th place in the polls, we would like to see him back in the final.

13:55 – Cyprus

Elena once again puts on an okay rehearsal, occasionally she sounds a bit out of breath. With seventh place in the polls, Cyprus will reach the final without too much trouble.

1.30 pm – Ireland

Hard work has been done in the Irish camp in recent days. The whole thing seemed very messy last Saturday, during the 2nd rehearsal all the graphics come into their own much better, and it seems as if Lesley is running barefoot through a book, turning the pages. Vocally, there is still some gains to be made. With a 24th place in the polls, the question is whether it is all good enough for a final place.

 

13.05 – North Macedonia

While there were some minor flaws in his vocals last Saturday, today Vasil puts down a solid rehearsal, although it seems that, especially at the end during the last blow, he is holding back to spare his voice. North Macedonia ranks 32 in the polls. It is very doubtful whether Vasil will be able to qualify for the final.

 

11.40 – Australia

Just like last Saturday, no rehearsal in Ahoy , since Montaigne is not present in Rotterdam, but an exclusive preview

11.15 – Sweden

Tusse had still some problems with his voice last Saturday, this now seems to have recovered completely. On stage there was an apparently self-assured, radiant Tusse, with a well-thought-out, slick act as we are used to from Sweden. Sweden ranks 10th in the polls. We will certainly see Tusse in the final

 

10.50 – Russia

No changes in the act here either. Solid and stable act and vocals. The powerful message / ode to the Russian woman is very clear! Russia is ranked 14th in the polls. Finals should not be a problem. We would not be surprised if Russia managed to get a top ten, perhaps even a 5 position  in the final

10.25 – Slovenia.

In the second rehearsal for Slovenia, Ana comes out better than last Saturday. More confident in her singing and movement across the stage, although it seems her shoes are killing her. Slovenia is in 35th place in the polls. A final place will be a challenge.

10.00 am – Lithuania. The Roop shows  a solid,  dynamic act again in the 2nd rehearsal, with little or no changes. The Roop is ranked 8th in the polls. A top ten listing should certainly be possible for the Roop.

 

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Israel

Road to Vienna: Israel We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Israel. Noam Bettan: Rise in the Israeli Pop Scene Early Life and Musical Beginnings Noam Bettan was born on 6 March 1998 in Ra’anana, Israel. Raised in a French-Jewish family, he grew up surrounded by music. From an early age, he focused on singing, joining school choirs and local performances. During his teenage years, he developed a strong vocal style, influenced by emotional pop music. After completing his mandatory military service, he chose to fully pursue a career in music. Breakthrough on Israeli Television Bettan first gained national attention in 2018 on the TV show Aviv or Eyal. He reached the final and finished third, which introduced him to a wider audience. Instead of rushing into releases, he spent time refining his voice and artistic direction, working with producers and performing live. From 2021, Bettan began releasing music consistently. Singles like Ahavot leYom Ehad and Ba’ir Sheli helped him gain traction on radio and streaming platforms. In 2023, he released his debut album Me’al HaMayim, marking a key milestone. The single Buba reached number three on the Galgalatz chart, strengthening his position in Israeli pop. Continued Growth and New Releases Following his debut album, Bettan expanded his catalogue with songs such as Sakin BaLev and Lahzor HaBaita. His style remained accessible, with a focus on emotional storytelling. In 2024, he released Pokeach Einayim, based on a poem by a fallen soldier, showing a more reflective side. In 2025, singles like Madame and Sheva Dakot Be-Gan Eden highlighted his consistent output. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Bettan won HaKokhav HaBa, Israel’s Eurovision selection show. His strong vocals and emotional performances made him a standout contestant. He will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, marking a natural step forward in his career. Michelle: A Song About Toxic Love Michelle explores a relationship that is both passionate and destructive. The lyrics describe a love that once brought light but eventually turned into emotional pain. After the breakup, the narrator feels lost and struggles to move on, showing how deeply the relationship affected him. Multilingual Storytelling in Pop Music The song stands out for its use of three languages: Hebrew, French, and English. Hebrew expresses raw emotion, French adds a romantic tone, and English helps reach a wider audience. This mix creates an international pop sound while reflecting the complexity of the story. Strong Imagery and Emotional Depth “Michelle” uses clear imagery to highlight heartbreak and confusion. Themes of light and darkness underline the emotional journey. A key metaphor—being “trapped in your carousel”—suggests a cycle of love and pain that the narrator cannot escape.The chorus delivers the main message: letting go is necessary. Although the narrator still feels love, he recognises the relationship as unhealthy. This moment captures the tension between emotional attachment and self-preservation. Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 45 times since its debut in 1973. The country has won the contest four times: in 1978 (Izhar Cohen & The Alpha Beta’s “A-ba-ni-bi”, 1979 (Gali Atari & Milk and Honey‘s “Hallelujah”), 1998 (Dana International‘s “Diva”), and 2018 (Netta‘s “Toy”). The Bookmakers Israel is currently just outside the Top 5 with the bookmakers. Can it achieve another high ranking?        

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Israel

Road to Vienna: Israel We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Israel. Noam Bettan: Rise in the Israeli Pop Scene Early Life and Musical Beginnings Noam Bettan was born on 6 March 1998 in Ra’anana, Israel. Raised in a French-Jewish family, he grew up surrounded by music. From an early age, he focused on singing, joining school choirs and local performances. During his teenage years, he developed a strong vocal style, influenced by emotional pop music. After completing his mandatory military service, he chose to fully pursue a career in music. Breakthrough on Israeli Television Bettan first gained national attention in 2018 on the TV show Aviv or Eyal. He reached the final and finished third, which introduced him to a wider audience. Instead of rushing into releases, he spent time refining his voice and artistic direction, working with producers and performing live. From 2021, Bettan began releasing music consistently. Singles like Ahavot leYom Ehad and Ba’ir Sheli helped him gain traction on radio and streaming platforms. In 2023, he released his debut album Me’al HaMayim, marking a key milestone. The single Buba reached number three on the Galgalatz chart, strengthening his position in Israeli pop. Continued Growth and New Releases Following his debut album, Bettan expanded his catalogue with songs such as Sakin BaLev and Lahzor HaBaita. His style remained accessible, with a focus on emotional storytelling. In 2024, he released Pokeach Einayim, based on a poem by a fallen soldier, showing a more reflective side. In 2025, singles like Madame and Sheva Dakot Be-Gan Eden highlighted his consistent output. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Bettan won HaKokhav HaBa, Israel’s Eurovision selection show. His strong vocals and emotional performances made him a standout contestant. He will represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, marking a natural step forward in his career. Michelle: A Song About Toxic Love Michelle explores a relationship that is both passionate and destructive. The lyrics describe a love that once brought light but eventually turned into emotional pain. After the breakup, the narrator feels lost and struggles to move on, showing how deeply the relationship affected him. Multilingual Storytelling in Pop Music The song stands out for its use of three languages: Hebrew, French, and English. Hebrew expresses raw emotion, French adds a romantic tone, and English helps reach a wider audience. This mix creates an international pop sound while reflecting the complexity of the story. Strong Imagery and Emotional Depth “Michelle” uses clear imagery to highlight heartbreak and confusion. Themes of light and darkness underline the emotional journey. A key metaphor—being “trapped in your carousel”—suggests a cycle of love and pain that the narrator cannot escape.The chorus delivers the main message: letting go is necessary. Although the narrator still feels love, he recognises the relationship as unhealthy. This moment captures the tension between emotional attachment and self-preservation. Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest Israel has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 45 times since its debut in 1973. The country has won the contest four times: in 1978 (Izhar Cohen & The Alpha Beta’s “A-ba-ni-bi”, 1979 (Gali Atari & Milk and Honey‘s “Hallelujah”), 1998 (Dana International‘s “Diva”), and 2018 (Netta‘s “Toy”). The Bookmakers Israel is currently just outside the Top 5 with the bookmakers. Can it achieve another high ranking?        

Read More »
Follow Us: