There are 26 countries (now 25, since the Netherlands was expelled from the competition on Saturday morning), 26 songs (now 25) and a continent 'united by music'. The final of the 68th edition of Eurovision is tonight at the Malmo Arena, in Sweden, and everything is (almost) ready for the decisions of Europe's largest music festival. 

The countries that qualified in the two semi-finals (ten in each, now minus the Dutch participation led by Joost Klein) are joined today by the 'Big Five' - France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom - and the host country, Sweden, who went straight to the final. Portugal is represented by iolanda, who will perform 'Grito', and who will take to the stage in 18th place. 

According to the average of several bookmakers, calculated by the website eurovisionworld.com, which specializes in the contest, on Friday, at 8:30 pm, the three favorites to win this year's contest are Croatia, Israel and Switzerland.

If you are a Eurovision fan - or if you are just going to sit on the sofa this Saturday to follow the 'coronation' of the winner (turn on the television on RTP1 from 8 pm) - take this guide that o Notícias ao Minuto has prepared for you.

This was the 'path' to the Malmo final

The Eurovision Song Contest began last Tuesday, with the first semi-final - in which Portugal participated. In this, in addition to iolanda, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Finland, Cyprus, Croatia, Ireland and Luxembourg qualified for the final. 

Poland, Iceland, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Australia were left out.

On Thursday, the second semi-final took place, where ten more countries secured a place in today's final, in Malmo: Latvia, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Israel, Greece, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Armenia. 

Malta, Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, San Marino and Belgium were left out.

Check out the order of performances in the final - and remember the themes

1 - Sweden | Marcus & Martinus – 'Unforgettable'

2 - Ukraine | alyona alyona & Jerry Heil – 'Teresa & Maria'

3 - Germany | ISAAK – 'Always On The Run'

4 - Luxembourg | TALI – 'Fighter'

5 - Netherlands | Joost Klein – 'Europapa' (Expelled from the competition)

6 - Israel | Eden Golan – 'Hurricane'

7 - Lithuania | Silvester Belt – 'Luktelk'

8 - Spain | Nebulossa – 'Zorra'

9 - Estonia | 5MIINUST x Puuluup – '(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi'

10 - Ireland | Bambie Th