Today , the participating countries in the Semi Finals of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest will learn their fates as to which semi-final they will be participating in in May . The Semi Final Allocation draw will take place in Basel Switzerland at 12.30 CET , 11.30 GMT and will also include the now traditional Host City Insignia key ceremony when the mayor of the previous host city officially hands over hosting responsibility to the curent year’s host city .

The countries have been divided into 5 pots, which is apparently to try and reduce the chances of neighbourly countries block voting for each other . During the draw, we also find out which half in each semi final the countries will perform in .

There will also be a separate draw involving the Big 5 countries and hosts , Switzerland, to see which Semi final those countries will vote in and also do a live performance of their entry .

You can watch the live link HERE Via YouTube ,

We at Eurovision Ireland will bring you further news , once we know the result of the draw .

Author : Sarah Rudman

Source SRF , You Tube , Eurovision.TV