Predictions vary ahead of Eurovision semi-final

The tension in Belgrade is rising among the 19 contestants, including Morena, competing in tonight's Eurovision semi-final. The clock is ticking and in a few hours we will know if Malta would have made it to the next round - after two consecutive disappointing results in past contests, everybody is banking on it.

According to the experts, the results of this semi-final are hard to predict, and surprises could be in store.

The 2008 Europrediction of the oikotimes.com is placing Malta in ninth place as a likely qualifier for Saturday's final - Malta has to place among the top 10 to qualify. In its review of the afternoon's rehearsal, the website, renowned for not mincing its words, praised Morena's singing and said that "it looks likely to be in the final shake-up".

Meanwhile, the bookmakers have not budged, and Malta remains stuck between the 13th and 14th place.

Morena is resting before leaving the hotel at 8 p.m. for the Beogradska Arena.

The first nine entries from tonight's show will be chosen through televoting, while the10th will be selected by a jury. The scoreboard featuring the final results will not be revealed until after Saturday's final.