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Eurovision 2025: Austria's JJ wins with 'Wasted Love'

JJ from Austria wins Eurovision 2025.
JJ from Austria wins Eurovision 2025. Copyright  AP Photo/Martin Meissner
Copyright AP Photo/Martin Meissner
By Amber Louise Bryce & Laura Ingemarsson
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In one of the most politically charged competition's yet, Austria has been named the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest winner with JJ taking the title for his pop-opera 'Wasted Love'

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Austria has won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest with 24-year-old JJ's (Johannes Pietsch) operatic ballad ‘Wasted Love’. 

It was a nail biting reveal, with Israel in the top spot until the very last moment — but ultimately coming in second place, followed by Estonia. 

This is the third time Austria — who were also one of our predicted winners — has won the contest, with previous successes in 1966 and 2014. The country also holds the record for the longest gap — 48 years — between wins. 

In an interview with Euronews, JJ explained that his song is about unrequited love and finding strength through painful emotions: “The song is quite sad, but then there's the hope that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. And if you have a short, bad phase, it means that you can overcome it because... it really is never the end of the world. You always come out of every situation on a positive note. Hope dies last.” 

A total of 26 contestants took part in the ceremony, with a record number singing in their native languages — the most diverse representation since 1999. 

Despite this year’s mascot symbolising ‘unity’, the contest was also gripped by political divisions over Israel’s inclusion, with pro-Palestine protests taking place outside the event, and over 70 former contestants signing an open letter demanding Israel and its national broadcaster KAN be banned. 

There was also controversy over the song lyrics from Malta’s entry, resulting in Miriana Conte releasing a reworked version of her song 'Kant'.

For the most part, however, it was an evening filled with sandstorm power ballads, sauna anthems and everything in between; delivering on spectacular sets and dazzling performances that felt more novel and niche than ever before.

Take a look at our live blog to see more highlights from throughout the night.

Live ended

Thank you so much for spending this Eurovision evening with Euronews

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  • Yes : 667
  • No : 695
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See you in Vienna 2026!

Big congratulations to Austria's JJ and his hit "Wasted Love".

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Final score of Eurovision Song Contest 2025

🇦🇹 Austria - 426 points

🇮🇱 Israel - 357 points

🇪🇪 Estonia - 356 points

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AUSTRIA WINS EUROVISION 2025

Austria's JJ wins Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with "Wasted Love".

Photo: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

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Zero points for United Kingdom

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Europe is not serving kant tonight

Malta's Miriana Conte gets 8 points.

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Time for the public's vote

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  • Good : 200
  • Meh : 155
  • Bad : 170
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Bottom three

At the bottom, we find:

  1. Iceland - 0 points
  2. San Marino - 9 points
  3. Poland - 17 points
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BREAKING: Cyprus gives Greece 12 points

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Ice cold treatment

Iceland and their band Væb are currently at zero (0) points at the bottom, ranking them 26th out of... 26.

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Top three

  1. 🇦🇹 Austria - 181 points
  2. 🇦🇹 Switzerland - 158 points
  3. 🇫🇷 France - 139 points
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FRRRRANCE

Currently in third place with 104 points.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

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"I have to pee so bad"

Austrian JJ is leading with 136 points. Interviewed in green room, JJ tells Basel Arena that he really needs to pee.

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Austria is leading with 136 points

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Is Robert Abela serving kant?

Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela FaceTimed with Maltese contestant Miriana Conte earlier today according to his Instagram.

Photo: Robert Abela Instagram

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  • Yes : 112
  • No : 105
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The Baltics made it

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa shows her support for Tautumeitas on Instagram, calling it a "Full Baltic magic ritual".

Photo: Evika Silina Instagram

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Newly elected PM supports Shkodra Elektronike

Edi Rama, freshly elected Prime Minister of Albania, shows his support from Albanian entry "Zjerm".

Photo: Edi Rama Instagram

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Listening to every spokesperson's intro...

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JJ from Austria gets this evening's first douze points

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Voting is closed

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Good Luc to Laura Thorn

Current Luxembourgish Prime Minister Luc Frieden shows his support for Luxembourg's artist Laura Thorn.

Image: Luc Frieden Instagram

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Fifty fifty

The odds are now showing a Swedish victory at 50% chance.

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Nemo serving Leeloo from "The Fifth Element" in another opera performance

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France falls in the odds

France is now at a 7% chance of winning, falling from third place at 13%.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

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Gosh, we've missed them

Baby Lasagna and Käärija performing while we're voting.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Pack your bags for Stockholm

The city of Stockholm has expressed its interest in hosting the contest in 2026. Stockholm Mayor Karin Wanngård said:

"Yes, we would be happy to do that, if the financial conditions are right. We are used to large events."

Stockholm hosted Eurovision Song Contest in 2016. Last year, the contest was held in Malmö.

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It's getting hot in the sauna

Swedish entry Kaj with "Bara Bada Bastu" is now at 47% chance of winning according to betting sites.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Waiting for the results like...

But a quick reminder that the voting process once took EVEN longer — it was cut in 2006 so that each spokesperson announced only the top three votes. 😅

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Will Norway's bad run go up in flames?

🇳🇴Norway has finished in final place more times than any other country, receiving "nul points" in 2024 for the twelfth time. Here’s hoping they fare better this time 🤞

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  • Yes : 106
  • No : 276
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  • Yes : 134
  • No : 270
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ZJERM

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Last song of tonight — Albania

Shkodra Elektronike with song "Zjerm", which means fire in Albanian — and they're truly bringing heat to the stage.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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San Marino breaking streaming records

“Tutta L'Italia” by Gabry Ponte has already reached 16 million streams on Spotify, making it the fourth most streamed Eurovision song of 2025.

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Is San Marino feeling blue?

San Marino is sending Gabry Ponte, mostly known from Eiffel 65, the Italian Eurodance group from the 90s who made the monster him “Blue (Da Ba Dee)".

Ponte is from Turin and is singing about his home country in the song “Tutta de l’Italia”.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Sandstorm

No one:

Louane:

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The cleaners at Basel Arena when it's time for Louane's performance

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FRRRRRRRRAAANCE

France has quickly been climbing the odds during the last 24 hours. A pattern similar to Nemo last year.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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YXI KAKSI KOLME! BASTUBRÖDER!

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Let's just sauna 🧖‍♀️

One of the bookies' favourites to win — and also one of ours!

Musically, there are all the right amounts of campy earwormery here, with that whispered cry of ‘sauna!’ hitting like a watery revelation to the hot rocks of our subconscious!

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

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Sauna with Swedish PM anyone?

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson invited band Kaj to his sauna earlier this week "no matter what happens tonight".

Photo: Ulf Kristersson instagram

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Swedish (or Finnish?) fan favourites on stage

Favourites in the odds are the Swedish contestants KAJ from Finland. The three artists, Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård, originates from the Swedish-speaking part of Finland, Österbotten.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Danish presidency kicks off early...

...with Faroese singer-songwriter Sissal and her song Hallucination.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Who remembers?

Portugal won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017 for the first time with Salvador Sobral and the song "Amar pelos dois".

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From kisses to 'kant'

...And if you thought "serving kant" was scandalous — an 11-second kiss between Danish singers Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler in 1957 was considered the contest’s first big controversy.

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SERVING KANT

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Malta’s Miriana Conte is serving WHAT?

Conte has faced issues with her song "Serving" (that was originally called “Kant”). It was actually disqualified by the EBU. 

Why? Well, Conte wasn’t referring to philosopher Immanuel Kant. The title, which means “singing” in Maltese, sounds identical to a well-known English slur….

In fact, the song features the line “serving kant”, which in queer slang means to perform with fierce energy.

The EBU asked Conte to change the title and lyrics. And she obliged, vowing to keep going with the motto: “DIVA NOT DOWN”.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Switzerland's Zoë Më takes us on a Voyage

Could Switzerland win two years in a row? According to the odds, no. But technically, it’s fully possible. 

Ireland is the only country to have managed to do that. They won three times consecutively with “Why Me?" by Linda Martin (1992), "In Your Eyes" by Niamh Kavanagh (1993) and "Rock 'n' Roll Kids" by Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan (1994). 

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Will Armenian Parg survive this?

With "this", we of course mean running on his treadmill.

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Seeing the win clearly?

Klavdia is bringing her signature glasses on stage.

“My glasses are a lucky charm for me. I think they’re a good feature that makes me stand out.”

She’s also wearing her grandmother’s earrings on stage, the same ones she wore during the national final.

“They’re my lucky earrings. I wore them for the national final, and I think they brought me good luck.”

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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BA-LA-LA-LA-LA-ER

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Mum: You can go, but only if you bring your brother

Sibling duo Abor & Tynna is bringing German techno to Basel with song "Baller".

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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When that harmonica hits!

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VOLEVO ESSERE UN DUROOOOOO

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Italy sends their second choice

Italy’s Lucio Corsi didn’t actually win the Sanremo Music Festival. The original winner was Olly with his song "Balorda Nostalgia", but he declined the opportunity to represent Italy at Eurovision due to scheduling conflicts with his tour. As a result, the spot went to runner-up Lucio Corsi.

Corsi is a famous indie artist in his home country with hits such as “Tu sei il mattino”.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Who does the President of Finland support?

Contrary to popular belief, President Alexander Stubb isn’t giving his 12 points to Finland. He actually has a Swede spot for someone else.

During a visit to the home turf of the Swedish entry Kaj (the municipality Vörå in Finland), the president declared:

"For me, if KAJ were to win Eurovision, it would ultimately be Finland and Vörå that win." 

After going public with his Eurovision stance, the President reportedly reached out to Finland’s actual representative, Erika Vikman, to say he was sorry and that he was also cheering for her.

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Finland is coming!

Controversy is no stranger to Finland's artist Erika Vikman. From her previous headline-grabbing relationship with Finnish singer Danny (who’s 50 years older) – to this year’s so-called “cover-your-butt-gate,” where the EBU reportedly asked her to tone down her outfit for a more “family-friendly” look.

Below is the EBU approved look.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

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🐑Baa baa Baasel!

Did you know that Tautumeitas are major animal lovers? Apparently, between all 6 of them, they have 150 sheep!

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Stagemaxxing

Latvia is maxing out with six singers on stage, which is the maximum allowed according EBU rules.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Iceland is sending vibes to Basel

Iceland qualified in the first semi final with VÆB. Need to freshen up your Icelandic pronunciation? The band name is pronounced “vibe”.

The song is about rowing RÓA.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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🇦🇹JJ — 'Wasted Love'

Techno trembles and operatic yearnings, yessss! Austria's entry was another of our favourites to win this year.

Euronews Culture's David Mouriquand wrote: "Quite how everything goes from the ballroom to the club in the space of two minutes and 50 seconds is beyond me. However, at a time when we’re all trying to untangle the emotional complexities the decry from the shitshow of daily life, 'Wasted Love' is a compelling case for heading straight into the eye of a storm."

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

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Emotional Austrian performance at sea

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Austria's performance starts

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Opera is in!

Fan favourite Austria with JJ and song "Wasted love" takes the stage in black and white. Opera is so back!

Photo: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

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United Kingdom serving Powerpuff girls

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Lizzie McGuire movie moment

Ok, but 'Volare' will only ever make us think of one thing...

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United (by music) Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a notoriously bad Eurovision track record. In 2021, they actually managed to secure exactly zero (0) points. However, the following year, they ended up in second place with Sam Ryders’ “Space Man”. 

Given that the UK is one of the, so called, “big five” countries, they automatically qualify to the final.

This year, they’ve sent the girl band Remember Monday with the song "What The Hell Just Happened?".

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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🇺🇦🕊️ A flying favourite

Ah! Ziferblat's Ukraine entry 'Bird of Pray' is one of our picks to win!

“Fly. Bird. I'm begging you. Begging you, please just live" pleads the lead vocalist. For my money, it's a real standout in a year laden with one too many squeaky clean, forgettable pop songs," wrote Euronews Culture's Theo Farrant.

Who will win Eurovision 2025? Euronews Culture’s final predictions

26 countries are set to battle it out in one of the most politically charged Eurovision finals ever. Here are the three acts we believe could take home……

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Ukraine twinning

Fun fact: Daniil and Valentyn in the band Ziferblat are actually fraternal twin brothers!

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Did you know: This is the most diverse Eurovision yet for native languages

20 of the original 37 entries were sung in their respective national languages.

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Diva o'clock

Spanish Melody is stunning in glitter diva dress.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

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Us after listening to Lithuania's entry 🖤

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Lithuanian post-punk anyone?

Band Katarsis with "Tavo Akys" to the stage.



AP Photo/Martin Meissner

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Israel takes the stage

One of the more controversial contestants this year is Yuval Raphael with power ballad "New Day Will Rise".

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Getting tired? Time for an espresso maybe?

Estonia's Tommy Cash is third out to tonight! I'm already sweating like a mafioso.



AP Photo/Martin Meissner

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🇱🇺 Laura Thorn — 'La Poupée Monte Le Son'

A throwback to France Gall's Eurovision classic from 60 years ago about a Poupée (meaning doll in French), Laura reworks it to be about taking back autonomy.

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

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Bettel betting on Thorn

Laura Thorn spotted with former Luxembourgish PM Xavier Bettel under the semi final.

Photo: Xavier Bettel Instagram

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🇳🇴 Kyle Alessandro – 'Lighter'

Flames! Synchronised dancing! Norway's set is lit. 🔥

The backstory to this one is also very touching — it was inspired by 19-year-old singer Kyle Alessandro's mother being diagnosed with cancer in 2023. During her treatment, she reportedly said, "Never lose your light."

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

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Grand final and Duchy — Luxembourg out next

Luxembourg’s song “La poupée monte le son” is a feminist nod to 1965 winner France Gall and her hit "Poupée de cire, poupée de son". 

Luxembourg has been victorious five times, last time being 1983. All five winners have actually originated from outside Luxembourg, making the country a record holder in Eurovision artist imports. But this year, they’re sending a Luxembourgish artist – Laura Thorn from Esch-sur-Alzette.

The Grand Duchy mysteriously disappeared from the contest for three full decades, only to reappear last year. Let’s see if they’ll stay.

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Dad jokes overheard at a Eurovision party...

"I'm very happy that this is coming from Switzerland, because the flag is a big plus!" 🇨🇭

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69 years of Eurovision!

The very first Eurovision Song Contest was held on May 24, 1956 and featured only seven competing nations: The Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, France and Italy.

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First entry tonight – Norway brings the fire

The first one to take the stage tonight is Norway's Kyle Alessandro with the song "Lighter", performed in full armour of course what else?

Artist Kyle Alessandro is half Norwegian, half Spanish, and born in 2006 (huh!).

Photo: Alma Bengtsson/EBU

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Flag parade fatigue

Us waiting for this bit to be over...

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Good evening, Europe! This is Eurovision calling

And we're off! With a reminder of what a bop Nemo's 'The Code' is — "I broke the code, woah oh oh!"

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Who is out?

During this week's two semi finals, these 10 countries were disqualified:

🇦🇿 Azerbaijan

🇧🇪 Belgium

🇭🇷 Croatia

🇨🇾 Cyprus

🇸🇮 Slovenia

🇦🇺 Australia

🇨🇿 Czech Republic

🇬🇪 Georgia

🇮🇪 Ireland

🇲🇪 Montenegro

🇷🇸 Serbia

In the grand final, 26 countries are competing.

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Eurovision Song Contest 2025 starts now!

Let the show begin!

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How are you celebrating Eurovision this year?

Bingo cards, bunting and a buffet of international snacks! We're all set for the world's largest live music event! 🎶 How are you celebrating? Bonus points for pictures!

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Which flags are allowed this Eurovision?

This year, the audience will again be allowed to wave the blue and yellow European flag🇪🇺

The EU flag ban from last year was met with a lot of criticism, including from former Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas who posted this in reaction to the EBU rule:

However, the artists will have some flag restrictions in official areas like the main stage, the green room and the turquoise carpet, where only national flags are allowed.

"Outside these official areas, delegations are subject to the same flag rules as the general public: all flags permitted by Swiss law are allowed. This means that different expressions of personal, cultural or regional identity remain possible," the spokesperson said in a written statement. "Therefore, the European flag may be used."

The same rule applies to other flags, including the Pride flag and the Palestinian flag.

Refresh your memory of the rules here.

Eurovision will allow European flag for fans but not for artists

The European flag will be allowed at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, but with limitations for artists, something Brussels called “disappointing”.……

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The Eurovision hits the fans can’t stop streaming

Who needs douze points when you’ve got millions of streams? Before a single vote has been cast, some songs are already winning the popularity contest. These are the top 5 Eurovision 2025 entries dominating Spotify:

  1. 🇸🇪 “Bara Bada Bastu” by KAJ (Sweden) - 44 million streams
  2. 🇮🇹 “Volevo essere un duro” by Lucio Corsi (Italy) - 40 million streams
  3. 🇳🇱 “C'est La Vie” by Claude (Netherlands) - 17 million streams
  4. 🇸🇲 “Tutta L'Italia” by Gabry Ponte (San Marino) - 16 million streams
  5. 🇪🇪 “Espresso Macchiato” by Tommy Cash (Estonia) - 15 million streams
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The ones to watch – favourites to win tonight

Who has the best chance of winning tonight?

Here's how the current Eurovision 2025 odds are shaping up, based on the latest data from bookmakers:

🇸🇪 Sweden (Kaj – Bara bada bastu) - 42%

🇦🇹 Austria (JJ – Wasted love) - 20%

🇫🇷 France (Louane – Maman) - 13%

🇫🇮 Finland (Erika Vikman – Ich komme) - 6%

🇳🇱 Netherlands (Claude – C’est La Vie) - 3%

Odds Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Who will win the Eurovision Song Contest 2025? Bookmakers have predicted Sweden with best odds…

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Running order of tonight

At 21:00 CEST, the grand final of Eurovision 2025 will start. This is tonight's running order -- from northern Norway to southern Albania.

1. 🇳🇴 Norway | Kyle Alessandro – Lighter 

2. 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son

3. 🇪🇪 Estonia | Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato

4. 🇮🇱 Israel | Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise

5. 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Katarsis – Tavo Akys

6. 🇪🇸 Spain | Melody – ESA DIVA

7. 🇺🇦 Ukraine | Ziferblat – Bird of Pray

8. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened?

9. 🇦🇹 Austria | JJ – Wasted Love

10. 🇮🇸 Iceland | VÆB – RÓA

11. 🇱🇻 Latvia | Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi

12. 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Claude – C’est La Vie

13. 🇫🇮 Finland | Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME

14. 🇮🇹 Italy | Lucio Corsi | Volevo Essere Un Duro

15. 🇵🇱 Poland | Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA

16. 🇩🇪 Germany | Abor & Tynna – Baller

17. 🇬🇷 Greece | Klavdia – Asteromáta

18. 🇦🇲 Armenia | PARG – SURVIVOR 

19. 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Zoë Më – Voyage

20. 🇲🇹 Malta | Miriana Conte – SERVING

21. 🇵🇹 Portugal | NAPA – Deslocado

22. 🇩🇰 Denmark | Sissal – Hallucination 

23. 🇸🇪 Sweden | KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu 

24. 🇫🇷 France | Louane – maman

25. 🇸🇲 San Marino | Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia

26. 🇦🇱 Albania | Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm

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