BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored his 34th and 35th Bundesliga goals of the season for Bayern Munich to warm up for Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
The win ensured Bayern qualified for next season’s Champions League but it arguably came at a price for this season’s competition, as Konrad Laimer and Matthijs de Ligt went off with injuries.
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BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored his 34th and 35th Bundesliga goals of the season for Bayern Munich to warm up for Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Bayern's Harry Kane scores his side's opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Harry Kane prepares to score his side's second goal from penalty during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Harry Kane scores his side's second goal from penalty during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Harry Kane is assisted during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel was already thinking of Madrid’s visit for the first leg of their semifinal on Tuesday as he made a host of changes from the team that played Union Berlin last weekend. He again left out Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané. Both face a race against time to be fit for Tuesday.
Kane opened the scoring after a fine run from Laimer to set him up, then restored Bayern's lead from the penalty spot in the second half.
It was the England captain's 42nd goal across all competitions for Bayern this season – a personal record – and his 400th altogether for club and country.
DORTMUND DISAPPOINTS
Borussia Dortmund, which hosts Paris Saint-Germain in the other semifinal on Wednesday, suffered a demoralizing 4-1 loss at Leipzig, where veteran defender Mats Hummels went off injured.
Dortmund was hoping to reclaim fourth place from Leipzig but fell five points behind its rival which holds the last guaranteed qualifying place for the Champions League with three rounds remaining.
Dortmund is left to hope fifth place will suffice.
Wolfsburg came from behind to beat Freiburg 2-1 and Werder Bremen won at Augsburg 3-0.
League champion Bayer Leverkusen’s German-record 45-game unbeaten start to the season was to be tested later against high-flying Stuttgart.
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Bayern's Harry Kane is challenged by Frankfurt's Tuta, right, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Harry Kane scores his side's opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Harry Kane prepares to score his side's second goal from penalty during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Harry Kane scores his side's second goal from penalty during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Bayern's Harry Kane is assisted during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
MALMO, Sweden (AP) — Scores of musicians, hundreds of journalists and thousands of music fans have gathered in Malmo, Sweden, where the Eurovision Song Contest is building towards Saturday's exuberant, glitter-drenched final.
But even Eurovision can’t escape the world’s divisions. Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are also expected in the city for demonstrations urging a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and criticizing Israel’s participation in the contest.
Here’s a guide to what Eurovision means, how it works and what to watch for:
The short answer: Eurovision is a music competition, in which performers from countries across Europe, and a few beyond it, compete under their national flags with the aim of being crowned continental champion. Think of it as the Olympics of pop music.
The longer answer is that Eurovision is an extravaganza that melds pop, partying and politics — a cross between a music festival, an awards show and a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. It’s an event full of silly fun, a celebration of music’s unifying power, but also a place where politics and regional rivalries play out.
Thirty-seven countries are entered in the contest, which this year is taking place over several days in the Swedish port city of Malmo. The country is hosting after Swedish singer Loreen won last year’s competition in Liverpool, England.
Through two semifinals, the acts have been narrowed to the 26 scheduled to compete in Saturday’s final in front of thousands of spectators in the Malmo Arena and a global television audience estimated at 180 million. There is a question mark over the participation of the Netherlands' Joost Klein, who is being investigated by organizers over an unspecified “incident.”
Nations can enter a solo act or a band. They can perform in any genre and language, but the rules state they must sing live and songs must be no more than three minutes long. Staging has grown ever more elaborate, incorporating flashy pyrotechnics and elaborate choreography. This year is particularly strong on topless male dancers.
Once all the acts have performed, the winner is chosen by a famously complex mix of phone and online voters from around the world and rankings by music-industry juries in each of the Eurovision countries. As the results are announced, countries slide up and down the rankings and tensions build. Ending up with “nul points,” or zero, ranks as a national humiliation.
The musical style of Eurovision has diversified dramatically since the contest was founded in 1956. The early years of crooners and ballads gave way to perky pop – epitomized by perhaps the greatest Eurovision song of all time, ABBA’s “Waterloo,” which won the contest 50 years ago.
Nowadays, Euro-techno and power ballads remain popular, but viewers have also shown a taste for rock, folk-rap and eccentric, unclassifiable songs.
According to bookmakers, a leading contender is Swiss singer Nemo, who is performing a melodic, operatic song titled “The Code.” Nemo would be the first performer who identifies as nonbinary to win the contest, which has a huge LGBTQ+ following. The contest had its first transgender winner, Dana International, a quarter century ago.
Another nonbinary performer generating huge buzz is Ireland’s Bambie Thug, whose song “Doomsday Blue” is Gothic, intense, over the top and a real crowd-pleaser. They’re the only contestant known to have brought a "scream coach" to Malmo.
Other acts tipped to do well include operatic Slovenian singer Raiven, Ukrainian rap-pop duo Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil and Spain's Nebulossa, whose song "Zorra” caused a stir because its title can be translated as an anti-female slur.
The act with the most momentum is Croatian singer Baby Lasagna. His song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” is quintessential Eurovision: exuberant, silly, a little emotional and incredibly catchy. It’s already a huge fan favorite.
Eurovision’s motto is “united by music,” and its organizer, the European Broadcasting Union, strives to keep politics out of the contest. But it often intrudes.
Belarus was expelled from Eurovision in 2021 over its government’s clampdown on dissent, and Russia was kicked out in 2022 after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This year, there have been calls for Israel to be excluded because of its conduct in its war against Hamas.
Israel is competing, but was told to change the title of its song, originally called “October Rain” in apparent reference to Hamas’ Oct. 7 cross-border attack. It’s now called “Hurricane” and is performed by 20-year-old singer Eden Golan.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through Malmo hours before Golan performed at Thursday's semifinal, and another demonstration is planned for Saturday. Swedish police have mounted a major security operation, with officers from across the country bolstered by reinforcements from Denmark and Norway.
People carry Israeli and Swedish flags during a pro-Israel demonstration to pay tribute to Israel's Eurovision participant Eden Golan in Malmö, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. In addition to the pro-Israel demonstration, Stop Israel also held a demonstration targeting Israel's participation in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Malmö Arena. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)
Eden Golan of Israel, bottom centre, celebrates gaining a place in the final during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nemo of Switzerland performs the song The Code during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Slimane of France performs the song Mon amour during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nutsa Buzaladze of Georgia performs the song Firefighter during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Police use pepper spray and fight back pro-Palestinian protesters in central Malmö, Sweden, during the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö Arena, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)
Joost Klein of Netherlands performs the song Europapa during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Eden Golan of Israel, centre, celebrates gaining a place in the final during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
LADANIVA of Armenia performs the song Jako during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nebulossa of Spain performs the song ZORRA during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nemo of Switzerland performs the song The Code during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Pro-Palestinian protester waves a Palestinian flag at Hyllie arena ahead of the second semi-final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest at Malmö Arena, in Malmö, Sweden, Thursday, May 09, 2024. (Andreas Hillergren/TT News Agency via AP)
People protest at a Pro-Palestinian demonstration for excluding Israel from Eurovision ahead of the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Eden Golan of Israel performs the song Hurricane during the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
A zebra crossing at the Mollevangstorget square is painted in the Palestinian colors in Malmo, Sweden, Thursday, May 09, 2024. During Thursday, several protests are expected against Israel's participation in the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at the Malmo Arena. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)
Slimane of France performs the song Mon Amour during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Kaleen of Austria performs the song We Will Rave during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
LADANIVA of Armenia performs the song Jako during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
SABA of Denmark performs the song SAND during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nebulossa of Spain performs the song ZORRA during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
MEGARA of San Marino performs the song 11:11 during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Mustii of Belgium performs the song Before the Party's Over during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Gate of NORWAY performs the song Ulveham during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nemo of Switzerland performs the song The Code during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Nemo of Switzerland performs the song The Code during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Eden Golan of Israel performs the song Hurricane during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Joost Klein of Netherlands performs the song Europapa during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags look on as the Ship to Gaza boat 'Handala' arrives at the port of Malmö, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. The visit by Ship to Gaza and the demonstration in connection with it are part of the protests against Israel's participation in the 68th edition of Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at Malmö Arena. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)
Sarah Bonnici of Malta performs the song Loop during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Eden Golan of Israel performs the song Hurricane during the dress rehearsal for the second semi-final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
