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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Daniel Bird

SIX countries booted from Eurovision narrowly missing place in grand final

Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Romania, Georgia, and San Marino became the latest countries to be booted from the Eurovision Song Contest after the last semi-final.

Ahead of Saturday's grand final, 16 countries took to the stage at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena to fight the chance to secure a place in the finale.

But the journey came to an end for Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Romania, Georgia, and San Marino after narrowly missing out on a place after became the final act to be guaranteed a spit on the final bill.

Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Romania, Georgia, and San Marino were competing against 15 other countries in a bid to be crowned the champion.

Opening the show on Wednesday was Reiley, hoping to win for Denmark with his song Breaking My Heart, before Armenia's Brunette performed Future Lover.

Elsewhere during the semi-final, countries including Romania, Estonia, Belgium, Cyprus, Iceland, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Georgia, San Marino, Austria, Albania, Lithuania and Australia had hoped to win a spot.

It comes just days after Ireland's entry, Wild Youth were sent home as one of the five hopefuls who hadn't managed to secure a place.

Hoping to win the crown for the UK is Mae Muller with her hit I Wrote A Song, following on from Sam Ryder's success at the 2022 competition.

While the entry who won Eurovision the previous year normally hosts the show, this, unfortunately, is not the case this year.

Ukraine won Eurovision last year, meaning the nation faced the prospect of hosting the show in 2023, according to the rules of the competition.

However, due to the Russian invasion, it wasn't possible, as Eurovision organisers quickly ruled out staging it in the war-torn country.

Mae Muller is representing the UK (PA)

The BBC agreed to host the competition in the UK in 2023 – and Liverpool was picked as the host city to hold the star-studded event.

Beating a shortlist of other UK cities, including Manchester, Glasgow and Sheffield, the song contest will take place in Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, located in the historic Royal Albert Dock.

Speaking about why the city had been chosen, BBC’s Director General, Tim Davie, said: "Congratulations to Liverpool. They will be an amazing host for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Liverpool is such an exciting, warm and vibrant city.

"It's the undisputed capital of pop music and is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the Ukrainian city of Odesa.

"I know the people of Liverpool will welcome Europe – and the rest of the world – with open arms, and in partnership we will create something truly special."

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