Eurovision Song Contest 2008 - Semi-Final Allocation Draw

Today at 13:00 CET, the organizers of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest conducted the Semi-Final Allocation Draw, to determine which country would take part in which of the two Semi-Finals.

The draw was broadcast live in about ten countries and through Eurovision.tv's esctv.

The draw for the actual running order will take place on the 17th of March, during the annual Heads of Delegation meeting, in Belgrade, Serbia.

The following countries will be represented in the first Semi-Final, on Tuesday, 20th of May:

Andorra
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Ireland
Israel
Moldova
Montenegro
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Slovenia
Germany (voting rights, will not participate)
Spain (voting rights, will not participate)

The following countries will be represented in the second Semi-Final, on Thursday, 22nd of May:

Albania
Belarus
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
FYR Macedonia
Georgia
Hungary
Iceland
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
France (voting rights, will not participate)
Serbia (voting rights, will not participate)
United Kingdom (voting rights, will not participate)

It was also determined by draw that Germany and Spain will be obliged to broadcast the first Semi-Final live and to vote. France and the United Kingdom will be broadcasting the second Semi-Final, as well as take part in the voting. Host country Serbia will broadcast both Semi-Finals, and has been drawn to vote in the second Semi-Final.

source:eurovision.tv