Il Nuovo Postiglione - Lift-off at Eurovision as first qualifiers revealed

After months of preparation, contestants from across the continent took to the state-of-the-art stage in Basel in search of Eurovision glory.

After performing action-packed, three-minute set-pieces, their fate was decided not by the 6,500 Eurovision fans packing the St. Jakobshalle arena, but by millions of television viewers.

Fifteen acts battled for votes, with 10 going through to Saturday's grand final, when 160 million to 200 million viewers are expected to tune in.

Comedy trio KAJ -- who are from Finland but represent Sweden -- are the bookmakers' hot favourites to win Eurovision this year with their "Bara Bada Bastu" song, based on the joys of having a sauna.

They made it through to the final, as did Estonia's Tommy Cash.

He brought a light touch with his wobbly-legged dancing in "Espresso Macchiato" -- a homage to coffee in a song bursting with Italian references.

There was an upset when Belgium's Red Sebastian -- who had been the third-favourite with several bookmakers -- was eliminated on his 26th birthday.

"We were robbed," shocked fan Ruben Verdonck said after, with the Belgian flag draped around his shoulders. "I don't understand it," he told AFP.

- Records, sparkle and sentiment -

Eurovision revels in kitsch and a Swiss opening blast of alphorns and yodelling, accompanied by dancers in traditional costumes, got the party started.

Dressed in sparkling silver costumes and dazzling sunglasses, Icelandic duo Vaeb -- brothers Matthias and Halfdan Matthiasson -- were the first contestants on stage with their rowing-inspired song "Roa".

Next came Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, who took part in Eurovision 1995 -- the longest-ever time between two appearances -- with a gothic performance.

Lilting through languages including French, Albanian and Ukrainian, the show swung from upbeat to comic to tear-jerking.

Slovenia's Klemen was joined on stage by his wife for the self-penned ballad "How Much Time Do We Have Left" -- written about the bombshell of her cancer diagnosis.

- Iceland, Portugal upset odds -

Besides Sweden, Estonia and the Netherlands -- who are considered among the front-runners -- acts from Albania, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Ukraine Iceland and Portugal made it to Saturday's showdown.

There was heartache for Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Slovenia and last year's runners-up Croatia, who were eliminated alongside Belgium's Red Sebastian.

The spectacular stage in Basel is different for the 69th edition of Eurovision, stretching deep into the arena, with fans on three sides.

Pyrotechnic blasts, 4,500 pulsing lights and lasers, and ever-changing giant screens set the mood for each song.

Lighting designer Tim Routledge said the stage set meant he could create a "three-dimensional frame of light".

Following Thursday's second semi, 26 countries will take part in Saturday's glitzy final, which, as ever, is set to be a light-hearted celebration of European popular music.

Though 10 go through from each semi, the scores are only revealed after Saturday's final, maintaining the drama by making it hard for acts and fans alike to gauge momentum.

- Celine on screen -

Switzerland last hosted Eurovision in 1989, after Canada's Celine Dion won the contest the year before, competing for Switzerland. That win helped turn Dion into a megastar.

Organisers are tight-lipped as to whether Dion, now in fragile health, might spring a surprise star turn.

"I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now," she said, in a video message screened at Tuesday's semi-final.

"Music unites us -- not only tonight, not only in this wonderful moment. It is our strength, our support, and our accompaniment in times of need."

Asked whether Dion might appear, a Eurovision spokesman told AFP: "There are currently no changes regarding Celine Dion -- we are still in close contact with her."

M.Dodaro--INP