Austrian Victory at Eurovision
Austrian contestant JJ took home the win with an impressive opera ballad that seamlessly transitioned into club anthems for the finale. This victory marks Austria’s third win in the competition’s history, following in the footsteps of Udo Jürgens in 1965 and Conchita Wurst in 2014.
This year, Switzerland hosted the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time since 1956, after Nemo had won the previous edition with “The Code.” Austria is set to host the event again in 2026, and Vienna has previously held two competitions.
JJ, originally from Vienna, is known for his remarkable vocal range, spanning from countertenor to soprano. He co-wrote the winning song with Theodora Spirik and Thomas Turner, and he’s no stranger to the stage, having previously participated in The Voice UK under his real name, Johannes Piechu.
Following Austria, Israel claimed second place while Estonia came in third. Sweden, meanwhile, had been considered a favorite even before the contest kicked off but ended up in fourth.
The UK faced another challenging night. Recent history hasn’t favored it, with Sam Ryder’s “Alien” being the only song that broke the trend last year, finishing second. Since 2012, no UK entries have placed higher than 15th.
The UK was represented by a girl group that performed a song reflecting on the chaos of a wild night out, titled “What the Heck Happened?” As a major financial backer of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the UK secured an automatic spot in the finals but finished in 19th place, receiving no public votes. Sophie Ellis-Bextor announced the UK’s score, having stepped in for Doctor Who actor Ncuti Gatwa, who had to withdraw due to unforeseen circumstances.
Among the participants, familiar faces and former winners like Celine Dion made special appearances, including a pre-recorded message during the semi-finals.
In total, thirty-seven countries participated, and out of these, 26 advanced to the finals. The semi-finals held earlier this week featured some surprising outcomes. Australia, a contestant since 2015, surprisingly failed to qualify with their entry “Milkshake Man.”
Several entries flirted with controversy, such as Miliana Conte, who had to modify her song after criticism regarding a particular phrase that sounded inappropriate.
Finnish contestant Erika Vikmann performed a catchy number while encircled by a giant microphone, enhancing her act with fireworks at the finale.
Italian performer Lucio Corsi showcased a quirky oversized piano, while the Estonian representative, Tommy Cash, incorporated playful props, including post-it notes inscribed with “I Love Eurovision,” though he didn’t secure a win.
This year’s event also reignited protests in response to Israel’s participation, reminiscent of previous years. Many activists covered in Palestinian flags gathered in Basel, highlighting the ongoing controversies surrounding the contest.
Before the event commenced, Irish broadcaster RTé reached out to the EBU after a coalition of 72 former contestants called for a ban on Israeli participation. Raphael, a survivor of the Hamas attack during the Nova Music Festival on October 7, rehearsed her performance amid these protests.
The EBU had previously barred Russia from competing in Eurovision following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
