After a day of second rehearsals for most of the first semifinalists, Finland has broken the top ten bookies’ favourites to win, while Australia has slipped to the bottom of them.

Significantly, clips of today’s television impressions have been shared on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel. For the first time, fans can see how entries will come across in the TV show, rather than simply in the hall. Finland’s Norma Jean may have benefitted this, jumping to a strong 8th favourite overall.

Sinking feeling

Conversely, Australia has tumbled from its consistent mid-top-ten position. Isaiah now sits precariously as tenth favourite on average after today’s rehearsal. Likewise, fellow first semifinalist Belgium continues to sink slowly in punter confidence; Blanche has slipped out of the top ten into eleventh position.

Denmark, Estonia, Netherlands and Greece continue to form something of a fabulous foursome. The four countries have been clumped together, just outside the top ten, for some days. All but Greece will perform again on Saturday. If their exclusive TV impression clips are also available and impress punters, fans will be hoping for a boost similar to Finland’s.

Bring on the automatic finalists

Tomorrow sees the debut of the automatic finalists on the Kyiv stage. Just two of them, Italy – the apparently uncatchable frontrunner – and France are amongst the top ten bookies’ favourites, with the UK a fair distance behind them on fairly long odds.

Can any of them surprise? Will Italy’s lead be strengthened, or will punter confidence waver?