Baku wants to Light Your Fire!

Baku officially became the host city for Eurovision 2012 with the release of the logo and the draws for the semi-finals.

Ireland has been drawn in the second-half of the first semi-final on Tuesday 22nd May. The actual performing position will be announced later this year. Unfortunately the UK will be voting in the 2nd semi-final which may deprive Ireland (especially Jedward) of some vital qualifying votes. However, Jedward sailed into the final in 2011 without the help of the UK, so maybe they can repeat this, IF they are chosen as Ireland's representative in Eurosong 2012 (Friday 24th Feb on the Late Late Show)

The full semi-final draws are as follows:

First Semi-Final, Tuesday 22nd of May (18 countries):

First half

Montenegro , Iceland , Romania , Albania , Belgium , Latvia ,Switzerland ,
Finland , Greece

Second half

Moldova , Cyprus, Austria, Denmark , Russia, San Marino, Israel , Ireland,
Hungary

Second Semi-Final, Thursday 24th of May (19 countries):

First half

Serbia , The Netherlands, Portugal, FYR Macedonia, Belarus, Malta, Ukraine, Armenia, Bulgaria

Second half

Sweden, Georgia, Slovenia, Estonia, Turkey, Slovakia, Croatia, Norway,
Lithuania, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Six countries have already qualified for the Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, being United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Host Country Azerbaijan. As a total of 26 countries will take part in the Final on the 26th of May, then 10 from each Semi-Final will qualify for it. They are obliged to broadcast and vote in (as drawn):

Italy (first Semi-Final)
Azerbaijan (first Semi-Final)
Spain (first Semi-Final)
United Kingdom (second Semi-Final)
France (second Semi-Final)
Germany (second Semi-Final)