Kate Miller-Heidke cruises through first Eurovision Semi-Final

Although Australia has managed to secure a spot as a competitor at the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015, the Australian delegation hasn’t (yet) been able to negotiate automatic qualification for the Grand Final. That honour is reserved for the host country, this year Israel, plus the “big five” European countries – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Australia’s 2019 entrant Kate Miller-Heidke competed for a place in the Grand Final this morning and the fan favourite was a stand-out performer among a field from all corners of Europe.

There were 17 competitors in the First Semi-Final with 10 qualifying for the Grand Final.

Bookmakers had already identified Miller-Heidke as a threat, ranking her third favourite behind Netherlands and Sweden.

Miller-Heidke delivered another flawless performance of Zero Gravity. She towered above the stage with two dancers floating beside her with a backdrop of a galaxy of stars.

This morning she performed 12th in the First Semi-Final, wedged between competitors from Georgia and Iceland. Iceland also qualified for the Grand Final, Georgia did not.

Although there was never any doubt that Miller-Heidke would make the Grand Final, she and the Australian delegation had to wait until her name was read out as the seventh qualifier for the Grand Final.

The 10 qualifiers for the Grand Final rom the First Semi-Final are:

• Greece
• Belarus
• Serbia
• Cyprus
• Estonia
• Czech Republic
• Australia
• Iceland
• San Marino
• Slovenia

The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest has returned to Israel this year after it won in 2018.

SBS is the broadcaster of the contestant with Myf Warhust and Joel Creasy returning this year as hosts.

The Second Semi-Final airs live early on Friday morning with the Grand Final live early on Sunday morning.