January 2008, all 38 countries in the semi-finals were separated into the following pots based on voting history and geographical location: Running order The draw to decide the running order of the songs in each semi-final and the grand final was conducted at the Heads of Delegation meeting on 17 March 2008. Participating countries On 21 December 2007, the EBU confirmed that 43 countries would be present in Belgrade. San Marino, as well as the newest EBU member, Azerbaijan, made its debut at the 2008 contest. Austria did not compete; its broadcaster, ORF, said "we've already seen in 2007 that it's not the quality of the song, but the country of origin that determines the decision." Automatic grand finalists Germany and Spain exercised voting rights at the first semi-final. France, the United Kingdom and Serbia exercised voting rights at the second semi-final. Spain and France each broadcast only the semi-final in which they participated; Germany, Serbia and the UK screened both semi-finals (with Germany broadcasting on a delay). Returning artists Bold indicates a previous winner. Semi-final 1 The first semi-final was held on 20 May 2008. Germany and Spain voted in this semi-final. Semi-final 2 The second semi-final was held on 22 May 2008. The United Kingdom, France and Serbia voted in this semi-final. Final The grand finalists were: the four automatic qualifiers , , and the ; the host country ; the top nine countries from the first semi-final plus one wildcard from the juries; the top nine countries from the second semi-final plus one wildcard from the juries. The grand final was held on 24 May 2008 and was won by Russia. Detailed voting results Semi-final 1 12 points Below is a summary of all 12 points in the first semi-final: Semi-final 2 12 points Below is a summary of all 12 points in the second semi-final: Final 12 points Below is a summary of all 12 points in the grand final: Spokespersons The voting order and spokespersons during the grand final were as follows: Carrie Grant Ognen Janeski Marysya Horobets Thomas Hermanns Anna Sahlene Melina Garibović Leon Menkshi Roberto Moretti Kristīne Virsnīte Valentina Voykova Noa Barak-Weshler Hristina Marouhou Vitalie Rotaru Cyril Hanouna Alina Sorescu Sabrina Stian Barsnes-Simonsen Éva Novodomszky Peter Poles Hrachuhi Utmazyan Petra Šubrtová Esther Hart Meltem Ersan Yazgan Moira Delia Niamh Kavanagh Leyla Aliyeva Mikko Leppilampi Barbara Kolar Björn Gustafsson Olga Barabanschikova Oxana Fedorova Nina