In the semi-final at the private broadcaster RTL on Saturday evening, a jury led by entertainer Stefan Raab selected the nine finalists from 14 participants. In a week, the audience will have the opportunity to vote on the German entry for the Eurovision Song Contest final on May 17 in Basel, Switzerland.

German ESC Preliminary Round: Viennese Duo Qualified for Final

The 14 semi-finalists showcased for the first time on Saturday evening the songs they also want to perform in the ESC final. In the two preliminary rounds, they had sung cover songs or self-written pieces that were not intended for the final. Besides the local sibling duo Abor & Tynna, the bands Feuerschwanz, Cosby, and The Great Leslie, the singers Julika, Leonora, and Lyza, as well as the singers Moss Kena and Benjamin Braatz, were able to qualify. Among the surprisingly eliminated participants was the Cologne singer Cage, whom Raab again described in the semi-final as one of the greatest singing talents in Germany, as he did in the first round. Raab said that the choice made exclusively by the jury this time was not a choice between good and bad, all starters had convinced. "It is the Eurovision Song Contest, it is about song and performance," explained the jury chief the selection - in the end, the four-member jury considered which starter would give Germany the best chances and who would likely convince the audience in the final of the German preliminary round.

Raab Wants to Win Eurovision Song Contest

Raab made it clear once again that the goal is to win the ESC for the first time since Lena Meyer-Landrut's victory in 2010. "We have the task to win this thing." The medieval rock band Feuerschwanz remains in the race as probably the most unusual entry. In their song "Knightclub" about partying knights in nightlife, the guitars not only convinced with hard tones but even shot sparks into the air. "They know what they are doing. It's a spectacle," said Raab.

In the Final, Viewers Choose the Eurovision Song Contest Participant

Last weekend, Raab and his team made the first selection from 24 participants. In the two preliminary shows, they still presented their own, older songs or cover songs. The German preliminary round is divided into four shows this year. In the preliminary rounds and the semi-final, only the jury decided who would advance. In the final (ARD) next Saturday, the audience will choose from the last nine candidates. ARD and RTL are cooperating on the format.

Raab's Return to the Eurovision Song Contest

Raab returned to the ESC after his television comeback last year. A victory is the declared goal together with the leading ARD. It is still open whether the preliminary round will take place in the same form with four shows instead of just one show and in cooperation with the private broadcaster RTL and ARD next year. Raab has now spoken out in favor of it for the first time. "I hope that we can do something like this again next year."

(APA/red)

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