Favourites Ukraine qualified for the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest at the first semi final on Tuesday.
"We understand that we must be totally focused and concentrated, because we are here to show that Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian music exist," lead singer of Kalush Orchestra, Oleh Psiuk, told journalists at a news conference after the results came through.
The folk-rap group's song "Stefania", dedicated to Psiuk's mother, has been the favourite to win over the past week of rehearsals.
They will be joined in the final by Norway, Switzerland, Armenia, Lithuania, Iceland, Portugal, Greece, Moldova and the Netherlands, as well as 10 further qualifiers from Thursday's semi-final and the "Big 5" who automatically qualify: Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy's reach
Netflix turns to theatres to launch 'Stranger Things' animated spin‑off
Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert opens first-look teaser of 'Dune: Part Three'
Ryan Gosling goes solo in space for film 'Project Hail Mary'
Oscar-winner Sean Penn skips ceremony, takes train to Ukraine
