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  • June 8, 2025

Richard West-Soley

Richard’s ESC history began way back in 1992, when he discovered the contest could fuel his passion for music and languages. Since then, it’s been there at every corner for him in some way or another. He joined the esctoday.com team back in 2006, and quickly developed a love for writing about the contest. In his other life, he heads the development team at the learning resources company Linguascope, and writes about all aspects of language learning on the site Polyglossic.com.

Articles By This Author

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UPD 05. Leave me alone: Hanna intense on stage

The Finns seem happy with the overall package for Hanna's entry Leave Me Alone today, as little has changed from

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12. Glamming together: Visual performance for Sweden

Ola Salon and The Ark turned in a much more controlled vocal performance at today's Swedish rehearsal, the man himself

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Voting: just ten minutes

Yesterday evening, the EBU published the running order for the semifinal show on 10th May. In the schedule, the voting

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Last individual rehearsals today

Six days of individual rehearsal slots come to an end today, as the automatically qualified countries have their second outing

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UPD 16. Flying the (huge) flag: UK on stage

As the United Kingdom hopefuls Scooch take the stage in Hartwall for their first rehearsal, red, white and blue fill

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14. Unashamedly sexy, infectiously fun : Poland rehearses

The Jet Set were the final act to take to the Hartwall Arena stage in today's rehearsal schedule, and it

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UPD 10. Yassou, Helsinki: Sarbel's Summer vibe

Thanks to a very vocal and enthusiastic Greek presence in the press hall, Sarbel was guaranteed a hugely appreciative welcome

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UPD 09. A lighter shade of pale: Lithuania in silhouette

The Lithuanians cut striking figures on stage today, with 4Fun's Julija singing with her guitar in front of the remaining

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UPD 05. Goth-rock girl: Hanna rehearses, Svante watches

The arena predictably filled up for the performance of Hanna this morning, who will be flying the flag for the

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04. Folk fest: Ireland on stage

Dervish filled the arena with folk vibes today as they rehearsed the archetypal Irish entry on stage in Hartwall. The

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Sopho's big welcome to Europe

The whole Georgian delegation has expressed its huge joy at becoming part of the Eurovision family this year. To show

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UPD 02. Packing a punch for Spain

Swedish writer Thomas G:sson had the chance to see his second Eurovision Song Contest entry for 2007 today, as Spain's

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UPD – 2 01. Marija opens the show

As expected, Marija Sestic appeared on stage today surrounded by blue lights to reflect the river of her song. She

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Finalists rehearse today

The semifinalists have all had their chance on stage, and today the finalists get their turn at the Hartwall Arena.