Israel: Netherlands impress in second Eurovision semi final

W/S Candidates at Eurovision song contest 2019 arrive at press conference, Tel Aviv
M/S Russia's entry
M/S Norway's entry
SOT, Tamara Todevska, singer and North Macedonia entry: "I'm so proud of my country and my people because they are very very proud after the long time. Be proud and never hide your greatness."
M/S Todevska showing results *JUMP CUT*
SOT, Duncan Laurence, singer and The Netherlands entry: "This chance means to me that I can show myself as an artist but also as a human being, I stands for things. I am more than just an artist, I am a person, I am a living being, I'm bisexual, I'm a musician, I stand for things and I'm proud that I get the chance to show what I am, who I am."
M/S Duncan Laurence showing results *JUMP CUT*
SOT, John Lundvik, singer and Sweden entry: "This is totally a dream come true for me, so if I land up last I will still be the happiest man in the world, and I say that with full honesty because being a winner of my country and being here with The Mamas representing Sweden, that is just a dream come true for me."
M/S Lundvik showing results *JUMP CUT*
SOT, Sergey Lazarev, singer and Russia's entry: "I was nervous in 2016, I was nervous tonight, but the feeling was so amazing, the crowd, the audience, they were just amazing and they supported [me] a lot, so I would like to thank everyone who supported me, who voted for me tonight, thank you and I hope that you will support me as much as you can in the final."
M/S Sergey Lazarev showing results *JUMP CUT*
SOT, Leonora, singer and Denmark's entry: "Well, I never expect too much but I hope for a lot, so I really hoped to be here and I think the song deserves it, so depending on how we presented it. But now we are here, I'm so happy. If my make-up is a little messy is because I started crying."
M/S Leonora showing results *JUMP CUT*
SOT, Luca Hanni, singer and Switzerland entry: "I'm really proud to be here and do those dirty dancings, dirty dancings' stuff again in the finals."
M/S Hanni showing result *JUMP CUT*
W/S Candidates leaving Eurovision song contest 2019 leaving press conference
SCRIPT
The second group of finalists of the Eurovision song contest 2019 spoke to the press after making it through Thursday's semi final in Tel Aviv.
Dutch vocalist and The Netherlands entry Duncan Laurence is the bookie's favourite to win Saturday's final with his song Arcade.
"This chance means to me that I can show myself as an artist but also as a human being, I stands for things. I am more than just an artist, I am a person, I am a living being, I'm bisexual, I'm a musician, I stand for things and I'm proud that I get the chance to show what I am, who I am", said Laurence at a press conference.
Sweden's John Lundvik, who brought a gospel vibe with his 'Too late for love', said he wasn't expecting to be successful. "This is totally a dream come true for me, so if I land up last I will still be the happiest man in the world, and I say that with full honesty because being a winner of my country and being here with The Mamas representing Sweden, that is just a dream come true for me."
Russia's entry Sergey Lazarev will compete for his nation in the final once more, after a third-placed finish in Eurovision 2016.
The countries who made it through the second semi-final were: Albania; Azerbaijan; Denmark; Malta; Netherlands; North Macedonia; Norway; Russia; Sweden and Switzerland.
The 10 qualifying countries will join nine others who made it through Tuesday's semi-final. The line-up will be completed by the 'big-five' nations - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - and host nation Israel.