– Finally felt that I was on the home team – VG

– I have cried for about ten minutes now, said Andreas “TIX” Haukeland (28) when he went on stage during the press conference after the semifinals.

As the very first country, Norway was announced in Tuesday’s semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest as a deserved participant in Saturday’s final. TIX was therefore also first at the official press conference, where he also drew his number in the series of finalists next Saturday.

Norway will present its contribution in the second half of the broadcast on Saturday.

– It feels very good to know that no matter how it goes now, I have made one of the most important appearances in my life. A performance that I know has meant a lot to a lot of people in Norway, he says to VG after the final place has been secured.

– I finally felt like I was on the home team. The whole of Norway shouted and jumped on their sofas, I am very grateful.

See how TIX celebrated right after the victory:

– I sang with my heart, said TIX right after the performance.

The relief on the face of Andreas “TIX” Haukeland could be clearly read, probably because he lost his sound in the monitor at the beginning of the song, while he was a little worried beforehand about the wear and tear on his voice after several days of rehearsals. But it turned out that both voice and effort held all the way in.

– My voice is very tired now, TIX told VG a few hours before the semifinals in Rotterdam.

VG’s reviewer thought that the performance of “Fallen Angel” in Rotterdam on Tuesday night showed a slightly nervous TIX on stage, but fortunately not enough to avoid Saturday’s final.

– I feel I have managed it. Eurovision is about diversity, acceptance and coming together. I would like to reach out to as many as I can, said a clearly marked TIX.

– I just want people to feel better. It has been a miserable year for many, he continued, referring of course to the corona year.

These also advanced in tonight’s semifinals:

TIX also attracted attention when he chose to take off your sunglasses during its performance.

At the press conference, he was asked if it was important for him to take off his sunglasses.

– In a way yes, says TIX without glasses.

He puts them on.

– What I want to show is that you can turn your weaknesses into your greatest strengths. It was necessary to take off my glasses to show the weakness I have.

– Having worked uphill ever since I started with music, the whole of Norway is behind me, a moving TIX told NRK right after the final place was secured.

This year’s final will be held on Saturday 22 May. There, TIX meets the pre-qualified countries France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany. A total of 26 countries will compete in the final – a total of 39 different countries will participate in the competition.

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