Israel: Eli Huli and Inbal Bibi are the first two finalists of the X-factor Israel 2022

Israel: Eli Huli and Inbal Bibi are the first two finalists of the X-factor Israel 2022
Tuesday, 25 January 2022

  • Eli Huli and Inbal Bibi are the first two acts to secure their place in the Grand final of X-factor Israel 2022,  the show that will determine the country's Eurovision 2022 hopeful and song. 

    The X-factor Israel show has reached the semifinals stage with 6 acts remain in the run for representing Israel at Eurovision 2022. 

    The semifinals will unfold in two parts. During the first part of the semifinals the six remaining acts compete in three duel rounds, the three winners of which go into a third round competing against each other to win their way into the final. The losers of the three duels will have to wait for the second part of the semi-final, where they will be given one last chance to qualify for the final. In addition, the losing act of the third round will also have to wait for the second part of the semi-final which will serve as a second chance round.

    In the first stage with the thee duels, the results are determined by the judges' votes along with the votes of the audience present on spot. In the second stage, the three winners of the duel rounds of the first stage will compete against each other with only two tickets to the final at stake, but will be decided by the judging team only. 

    In this episode singer Eden Ben-Zaken, X-factor runner up in the first season,  was a guest contributing to the judging panel and even to express her opinion about the contestants.

     

    First Duel

     

    Inbal Bibi - "No" (Megan Trainor): The judges awarded 40 points to Inbal, the crowd added 57 points. A total of 97 points.

                  VS 

    Shachar Adawi -  "Hey Jude" (Beatles) : The judges gave Shahar 30 points, the crowd added 51 points. A total of 81 points.

     

    Inbal Bibi with 97 points, which are the highest of the season, won the duel.

     

     

    Second Duel

     

    Michael Ben David -  "Zero Effort" (Neta Barzilai with Static and Ben El): The judges gave Michael 30 points, the crowd added 51 points. Total 81 points.

                   VS

    Anna Stephanie - "Human" (The Killers) : The judges gave Anna 30 points, the crowd added 39 points. Total 69 points.

     

    Michale Ben David wins the duel with his 81 points and progresses to the seocnd round. 

     

     

    Third Duel

     

    Eli Huli - Can't Take My Eyes off You" (Frankie Valli): The judges awarded 40 points to Eli, the crowd added 52 points. Total 92 points.

                    VS

    Sapir Saban - "Boxing" (Eden Ben Zaken) : The judges gave Sapir 30 points, the crowd added 46 points. Total 76 points.

     

    Eli wins the duel with hs 92 points and moves on to the second round of the evening. 

     

    Second round - A battle for three

    The three winners of the duels performed one more songs battling against each other for two tickets to the Grand final. The three act performef the following songs: 

    Michael Ben David - "Burning in Change" (Marina Maximilian)

    Eli Huli - "Angels" ( Robbie Williams)

    Inbal Bibi - "Red Sunsets" (Eden Hasson) 

     

    At the end of the performance, only the judges gave a score to the three contestants (8, 10, 12 points).

    Ran : 12 points - Inbal, 8 points - Michael, 10 points - Eli
    Neta : 12 points - Michael, 8 points - Inbal, 10 points - Eli
    Aviv : 8 points - Michael, 12 points - Eli, 10 points - Inbal
    Miri : 10 points - Inbal, 8 points - Michael, 12 points - Eli
    Margol : 12 points - Eli, Inbal - 10 points, Michael - 8 points

     

    Adding up the points here is how the score for the three contestants turned out: 

    Eli Huli - 56 points
    Inbal Bibi - 50 points
    Michael Ben David - 44 point

    Eli and Inbal secure their spot in the Grand final while Michael joins the line-up in the second part of the semifinals and along with the other losers of the duels will have one more chance to compete for one of two spots in the Grand final. 

     

    The next episode will air on Thursday, January 27, at 9:15 PM on Channel 13

     

    Until the next episode of X-factor watch the qualiifers' performances.  Inbal Bibi performed Megan Trainor's "No", which received the highest points in this year's seasons during last evening's semifinal duel phase.

     

    Eli Huli won the duel singing Can't Take My Eyes off You" (Frankie Valli), take a look at the performance that brought him closer to the final.

     

     

    News Source: Euromix.co.il

    Images: Euromix/ Photo credit: Ohad Kab