Tonight's Grand Final marks the end of this year's Eurovision Song Contest which has been mired in controversy.
The televised final on Saturday at the Malmö Arena in Sweden will see the big five countries, the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy, joined by reigning champions Sweden and 20 qualifying countries to perform in a bid to win the title.
Cork native Bambie Thug has landed a place in the Grand Final, which makes them the first Irish finalist since 2018 following a vote for their performance of Doomsday Blue.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said the "whole country will be rooting" for the singer, while Eurovision aficionado Marty Whelan reckons Ireland is "in with a great chance" and that "there's a very strong sense that we are going to do exceptionally well".
Bambie has been given an outside chance to win as the underdog has been regularly trending on social media with the hashtag "crown the witch", a reference to their outspoken use of magical practices.
Watch: Bambie Thug performs Doomsday Blue during first semi-final
Among the acts who qualified during the semi-finals was Israeli contestant Eden Golan, whose participation in the wake of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza has been a point of debate.
Her song Hurricane was reworked from a previous track called October Rain, which was thought to reference the Hamas attacks on Israel that sparked the conflict.
Asked how they felt when Golan qualified, Bambie said: "I cried with my team. It is a complete overshadow of everything, goes against everything that Eurovision is meant to be."
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, whose mother Malena Ernman represented Sweden at Eurovision in 2009, joined pro-Palestinian protesters on the streets of Malmö calling for a boycott of the competition.
On X, Thunberg claimed Israel is trying to "artwash" Eurovision, referencing the use of artistic performance to distract from perceived negative actions by people, groups, governments or countries.
More protests are planned for Saturday at the central square Stortorget, and pro-Palestinian demonstrators will walk across the city to Molleplasten.
Dutch act Joost Klein will not compete in the Grand Final while Swedish police investigate a complaint of inappropriate behaviour, the European Broadcasting Union said.
Entering with the song Europapa, a tribute to his late parents, the 26-year-old Dutch rapper and singer had qualified for the Grand Final during Thursday's semi-final.
A statement from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: "The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
"Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.
"While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.
"We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
"We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest.
"In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.
"The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs."
Among the favourite acts entering the final is Swedish duo Marcus and Martinus with their track Unforgettable.
Sweden is hosting the competition following the victory of its singer Loreen in Liverpool last year, and it is also the 50th anniversary of Abba giving Sweden its first win with their hit song Waterloo.
The favourites to lift the trophy included Croatia's Baby Lasagna with the infectious and wild Rim Tim Tagi Dim, Switzerland’s Nemo with the emotional dance-opera mix The Code and Golan with the emotional Hurricane.
Marty Whelan will host coverage of the event live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 8pm, while Zbyszek Zalinski and Neil Doherty will lead commentary on RTÉ 2FM.
