Eurovision 2006 Semi-final Results
Semi-final Scoreboard
Eurovision Song Contest 2006 Semi-final result: Finland got 292 points and won the Semi-final with the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" performed by Lordi
Date: Thursday 18 May 2006
Location: Olympic Indoor Hall, Athens, Greece
Broadcaster: Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi (ERT)
Hosts: Maria Menounos & Sakis Rouvas
Slogan: Feel The Rhythm
Qualification: The best 10 songs qualified for the Grand Final
Voting: Televoting (Monaco and Albania used juries). All 37 participants at Eurovision 2006 (and Serbia & Montenegro) voted in the Semi-final
Opening act: Eurovision medley performed by Greek gods and goddesses; "Love Shine a Light" performed by Sakis Rouvas and Maria Menounos
Interval act: "I'm In Love With You" performed by Sakis Rouvas
Serbia & Montenegro withdrew from Eurovision 2006 but still voted
In 2004 there were 37 countries giving points, resulting in a very long voting procedure. The voting time was cut in 2006 where each spokesperson started to just announce the top three votes
In 2006 Ireland's Brian Kennedy, who has sung duets with Van Morrison, became the 1000th act to sing on the Eurovision stage with Every Song Is A Cry For Love. He came tenth
Finland had to wait forty-four years since their debut in 1961 to achieve their first victory. They had only received three 12 points in the history of the contest up to the 2006 contest, and none since 1977
Three of the songs sent to Eurovision have been in made up languages. Two of these entries have come from Belgium: Sanomi (2003) and O Julissi (2008); and one from the Netherlands: Amambanda (2006)
