Before the final, three semi-finals were held with four songs each. In each semi-final, four of the competing artists competed, performing abridged versions of their songs in two different versions, with televoting selecting the top two to qualify for the final. In the final, the winner was selected once again by televoting.[citation needed] A jury panel consisting of Kathleen Aerts and Walter Grootaers took part in all shows, but solely in an advisory role.[2]
Competing entries
Around 500 songs were received by VRT for the contest, with only 12 (eleven in Dutch and one in French) being chosen to compete in the national final.[2]
The first semi-final took place on 5 September 2009. Four of the competing artists performed two versions of their songs, with televoting selecting the top two to qualify for the final.[3]
Semi-final 1 – 5 September 2009
Draw
Artist
Song
Version
Result
1
Anke
"Ooh Daddy"
Jukebox Jive
Eliminated
2
Anke
"Ooh Daddy"
Glam Rock
Eliminated
3
T&T
"Geniaal"
Cool Cat
Eliminated
4
T&T
"Geniaal"
Ruige Rock
Finalist
5
Las Niñas
"Jongens"
Punk Rock
Eliminated
6
Las Niñas
"Jongens"
Girl Power
Eliminated
7
Manou
"Comment faire"
Smokey Jazz
Eliminated
8
Manou
"Comment faire"
Pop
Finalist
Semi-final 2
The second semi-final took place on 12 September 2009. Four of the competing artists performed two versions of their songs, with televoting selecting the top two to qualify for the final.[4]
Semi-final 2 – 12 September 2009
Draw
Artist
Song
Version
Result
1
Margo
"Vandaag is de dag"
Wonderland
Eliminated
2
Margo
"Vandaag is de dag"
Fiesta Latina
Eliminated
3
Thomas
"Groot zijn"
Dance
Finalist
4
Thomas
"Groot zijn"
Pop Rock
Eliminated
5
Sepp 'n Sigi
"Die ene seconde"
Unplugged
Eliminated
6
Sepp 'n Sigi
"Die ene seconde"
Softrock
Finalist
7
Haruka
"Waar ben je?"
Bollywood
Eliminated
8
Haruka
"Waar ben je?"
Country
Eliminated
Semi-final 3
The third semi-final took place on 19 September 2009. Four of the competing artists performed two versions of their songs, with televoting selecting the top two to qualify for the final.[5]
The final took place on 19 September 2009, where the six qualifiers from the preceding semi-finals competed. The winner was selected by televoting. Only the top two songs were announced.[1]
