Portugal braces for Eurovision competition
In the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 semi-finals, a total of 37 countries are vying for a spot in the final, with only 20 securing a place. Among the 10 countries qualifying from the first semi-final, held on Tuesday, is Portugal, surprisingly defying betting odds that placed them in 14th position [2][4][5].
Competing in the first semi-final were Portugal, Iceland, Poland, Slovenia, Estonia, Ukraine, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Azerbaijan, San Marino, Albania, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Cyprus. Only ten would go through, and while Slovenia, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Croatia, and Cyprus didn't make the cut, Portugal, Norway, Albania, Sweden, Iceland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Poland, San Marino, and Albania's Shkodra Elektronike did. Portugal's qualification comes as a surprise, given that bookmakers like Eurovisionworld.com predicted a non-qualification for the nation [1].
In addition to NAPA, another Portuguese artist was present at the event, with last year's representative Iolanda performing as an invitee by the organization. The second semi-final, scheduled for Thursday, will see another 10 songs vying for a place in the final. This round will feature Australia, Montenegro, Ireland, Latvia, Armenia, Austria, Greece, Lithuania, Malta, Georgia, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Israel, Serbia, and Finland [3].
The 20 countries advancing from the semi-finals will join the 'Big Five' (France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy) and the host country, Switzerland, in the final. Last year, in the 68th edition, held in Malmö, Sweden, Portugal took 10th place with the song "Grito" performed by Iolanda. Portugal first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964, with a brief absence from five editions [1]. Portugal achieved its only win in 2017 with the song "Amar pelos dois" by Luísa Sobral, performed by her brother Salvador Sobral [1].
In an unexpected turn of events, Portugal managed to secure a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 final, defying odds that placed them in 14th position. This qualification marks a significant moment in Portugal's pop-culture history, especially since their last entry, "Grito," competed in the 2024 contest. The Portugal-originated entertainment extended beyond competition, with another Portuguese artist, Iolanda, performing as an invitee alongside the event.
