Updated: Gianluca qualifies – To sing in ninth slot on Saturday

Gianluca Bezzina took Malta into the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest tonight.

The young smiling doctor gave a polished performance before hundreds of flag-waving people in Malmo, with his performance characterised by his interaction with the crowd while the lyrics of his song Tomorrow were screened behind him.

But it was a nail-biting affair for all those glued to their television sets watching proceedings, with Malta the ninth of the 10 qualifiers to be announced as Gianluca, clutching a Maltese flag, watched anxiously.

The running order for the Saturday show, announced after the semi-final, put Malta in the ninth slot among the 26 qualifying songs.

The qualifiers tonight were Hungary, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, Norway, Iceland, Armenia, Finland, Malta and Greece.

They will join another 10 countries which qualified on Tuesday -  Moldova, Lithuania, Ireland, Estonia, Belarus, Denmark, Russia, Belgium, Ukraine and The Netherlands.

Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK and last year’s winner Sweden have automatic qualification.

Malta's participation in the Eurovision is being handled by Public Broadcasting Services.

(See minute-by-minute account of the show in our live-blog http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130516/local/eurovision-second-semi-final.469996

A final salute as Malta's performance ends.

Azerbaijan had one of the most unusual stage performances.

Tenor or soprano? Romania's Cezar was the last to perform yesterday and made it to the final night.

Switzerland's band Takasa which included a 95-year-old man, failed to qualify.

Norway's Margaret Berger was a crowd favourite.

Armenia's rock band Dorians gave a touch of rock to the Eurovision.

Greece were the last to qualify, but their 'allies' Cyprus failed to make it on Tuesday.

Finland's on-stage kiss by two women in a song on marriage caused the broadcast of the show in Turkey to be banned.