As the sun set over the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta, Malta’s living rooms buzzed with excitement. The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals were on, and the island nation was glued to its screens. Among the 17 countries battling it out, two favourites – Finland and Israel – delivered performances that had Maltese fans cheering.

Finland’s Rockstar Stuns with ‘Dark Side’

Finland’s Blind Channel brought the rock to Malta’s screens with their powerful anthem, ‘Dark Side’. The band, hailing from the small town of Oulu, Finland, delivered a high-energy performance that had Maltese viewers headbanging along. Their unique blend of metal and pop, coupled with stunning visuals, made them an instant favourite among local fans. “I’ve been waiting for a rock band to represent Finland since Lordi won in 2006,” said Malta’s rock enthusiast, Joe Borg, from his home in Birkirkara.

Israel’s Eden Brings the Magic

Israel’s Eden Alene captivated Maltese audiences with her enchanting voice and mesmerising performance of ‘Set Me Free’. The 20-year-old singer, born in Jerusalem, brought a touch of Middle Eastern magic to the contest. Her powerful ballad, combined with her stunning stage presence, left Maltese viewers spellbound. “Eden’s voice is like an angel’s,” gushed Maria Grech, a Maltese music teacher, as she watched the performance in her St. Julian’s apartment.

Malta’s Own Destiny Awaits

As the results rolled in, Finland and Israel secured their spots in the grand final, much to the delight of Maltese fans. Now, all eyes are on Malta’s own entry, Destiny. The 18-year-old singer, born in Pwales, will represent Malta in the second semi-final. With her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence, Destiny has already won the hearts of many Maltese. “I can’t wait to see Destiny on that Eurovision stage,” said Mark Camilleri, a Maltese music producer, as he looked ahead to the next semi-final.

As the Eurovision Song Contest continues to captivate Malta, one thing is clear: the island nation is ready to cheer on its own, while enjoying the global musical extravaganza that is Eurovision.