Austria wins with last-minute vote, because the UK comes nineteenth

[ad_1] Mark Savage Music Correspondent

Reporting fromBasel, Switzerland <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/f90f/live/2e3cbd30-3378-11f0-a8ca-873c812606ef.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Getty Images JJ holds aloft an Austrian flag" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Getty Photos JJ took a break from his job on the Vienna State Opera to compete at Eurovision

Austrian singer JJ has gained the Eurovision Music Contest in Basel, Switzerland, after a nail-biting end that noticed him topple Israel from pole place on the final minute.

The 24-year-old, who's a counter-tenor on the Vienna State Opera, took the title with the tune Wasted Love, an tempestuous electro-ballad about unrequited love.

"Thanks a lot for making my goals come true," he mentioned as he accepted the coveted glass microphone trophy. "Love is the strongest pressure on the earth, let's unfold extra love."

The singer scored 436 factors, with Israel in second place on 357 and Estonia third on 356. The UK's act, Bear in mind Monday, positioned nineteenth with 88 factors.

For the second 12 months in a row, the UK acquired zero from the general public.

Eurovision 2025: The highest 5 contestants

Austria: JJ - Wasted LoveIsrael: Yuval Raphael: New Day Will RiseEstonia: Tommy Money - Espresso MacchiatoSweden: KAJ - Bara Bada BastuItaly: Lucio Corsi - Volevo Essere Un Duro <img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/79af/live/0bca2d60-3368-11f0-bf4e-c3ccee18245b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Alma Bengtsson / EBU KAJ perform in front of a fake sauna at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Alma Bengtsson / EBU KAJ's tune has been primary in Sweden for the final 12 weeks (L-R: Jakob Norrgård, Kevin Holmström and Axel Åhman)

JJ's youthful sister broke by means of safety guards to hug him after his victory was introduced.

The Austrian mentioned his complete household had arrived to assist him on the contest, together with his 85-year-old grandfather, and a four-month-old niece, who watched exterior along with his brother.

It's the third time Austria has gained the competition, with earlier victories going to Udo Jürgens' Merci, Cherie in 1966; and Conchita Wurst with Rise Like a Phoenix in 2014. JJ was impressed to participate in Eurovision by Conchita.

The singer had at all times been one of many favourites to win, however essentially the most hotly-tipped contestants had been Sweden's KAJ - whose tongue-in-cheek ode to sauna tradition, Bara Bada Bastu, finally took fourth place.

Talking after the present, JJ mentioned he was "so happy" that viewers had related along with his story of heartache.

"I wished to allow them to have an perception on my deepest soul [and] how I felt once we wrote the tune."

"What I am attempting to commit [to] is that there isn't any wasted love. There's a lot love that we are able to unfold round. It is the strongest pressure on planet earth."

Requested how he would have fun, he replied: "Truthfully, I have to sleep now. I am drained."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4793/live/2a4cce10-3367-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Corinne Cumming / EBU Yuval Raphael sings for Israel with her arms outstretched at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Corinne Cumming / EBU Yuval Raphael represented Israel, amid protests over the nation's involvement

For the second 12 months in a row, there was controversy over Israel's participation, with protestors arguing for the nation's dismissal over its navy motion in Gaza.

Professional-Palestinian protests passed off on the streets of Basel within the hours earlier than the competition.

Later, a person and a girl individuals had been prevented from invading the stage throughout Israel's efficiency.

"One of many two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit," mentioned Swiss broadcaster SRG SSR in a press release to the BBC.

"The crew member is ok and no person was injured.

"The person and the girl had been taken out of the venue and handed over to the police."

The efficiency, by younger singer Yuval Raphael, was unaffected.

The 25-year-old is a survivor of the Hamas assaults of seven October, 2023, an expertise which colored her delicate ballad, New Day Will Rise.

The Israeli delegation mentioned Raphael was left "shaken and upset" by the incident, however that it was "extraordinarily proud" of her efficiency "which represented Israel in a respectful method".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/a997/live/42afb410-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Alma Bengtsson / EBU Miriana Conte ended her performance bouncing on a medicine ball" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Alma Bengtsson / EBU Elsewhere, Eurovision was its typical explosion of excessive camp, sexual innuendo and clothes being eliminated to disclose smaller, tighter clothes.

Malta's Mariana Conte was pressured to rewrite her disco anthem Serving Kant to take away what appeared like a swear phrase - however carried out the censored model with a understanding wink, protected within the information the viewers would fill within the blanks.

Though it was a fan favorite, Conte may solely handle seventeenth.

Estonia's Tommy Money, who got here third, additionally stored the innuendo prepare working, with Espresso Macchiato, a caffeinated disco anthem that includes the unforgettable phrase: "Life is like spaghetti, it is onerous till you make it."

One other spotlight was Finland's Erika Vikman, who distributed with double entendres completely on Ich Komme, a vibrant hymn to sexual pleasure.

The singer ended her efficiency by withdrawing on an enormous phallic microphone that shot sparks into the air.

It thrust her into eleventh place, and a everlasting place within the Eurovision pantheon.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/4688/live/b7a47fd0-3365-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU Erika Vikman stands atop a giant golden microphone as she performs at the Eurovision Song Contest" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU Erika Vikman's efficiency suffered a number of technical hitches in rehearsals, however it all went proper on the night time

The competition additionally handled extra weighty topics like financial migration (Portuguese rock band Napa) and environmental disaster (Latvia's Tautumeitas, who scored 12 factors from the UK jury).

Dutch singer Claude delivered a heartfelt tribute to his mom in C'est La Vie - an upbeat anthem that mirrored on her positivity as she uprooted the household from their residence nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo as a baby.

In a touching climax, the 21-year-old danced with a picture of his childhood self in a mirror on the stage.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/3d8f/live/4efb3b60-333b-11f0-8947-7d6241f9fce9.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU Louane performs at the Eurovision Song Contest for France" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU Additionally reflecting on their childhood was French singer Louane, whose tearjerking ballad was devoted to her mom, who died of most cancers when she was 17.

In one of many night time's most hanging performances, she was surrounded by a whirlwind of sand as she hollered the phrase "mom" time and again.

One of many favourites to win, it ended the night time in seventh place, after receiving a disappointing 50 factors from the general public.

JJ's efficiency was equally dramatic. Shot completely in black and white, it noticed him being tossed round on a rickety boat, as waves (of emotion) threatened to eat him.

An honourable point out additionally goes to Italy's Lucio Corsi, whose harmonica solo in Volevo Essere Un Duro marked the primary time a stay instrument has been performed at Eurovision since 1998.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/eec7/live/feaf2510-3365-11f0-96c3-cf669419a2b0.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Alma Bengtsson / EBU Remember Monday rip off their skirts during a performance at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Alma Bengtsson / EBU Bear in mind Monday's efficiency included a callback to Bucks Fizz's skirt-shedding efficiency on the 1981 Eurovision Music Contest

The UK spent a 3rd 12 months within the backside half of the leaderboard, regardless of a spirited efficiency from woman group Bear in mind Monday.

A gaggle of pals who met at highschool, their ingenious pop tune What The Hell Simply Occurred? drew on their a few years of expertise in West Finish theatre.

The ladies pulled off their difficult three-part harmonies whereas dancing round a fallen chandelier, however the efficiency did not join with voters.

Regardless of incomes a wholesome 88 factors from juries - together with 12 from Italy - it bombed with viewers.

They led to nineteenth place, one beneath final 12 months's entrant Olly Alexander.

The group laughed off their "nul factors" rating from the general public, holding up peace indicators and hugging one another because the rating was introduced.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2547/live/f45129d0-3377-11f0-8519-3b5a01ebe413.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Getty Images Remember Monday react to their result at the Eurovision Song Contest" class="sc-4abb68ca-0 ldLcJe"/> Getty Photos The band took their defeat in good grace

The voting was utter chaos.

13 of the 26 finalists acquired the utmost of 12 factors from at the least one jury, leaving the competitors fully open earlier than the general public vote was counted.

Israel, who had been languishing within the backside half of the desk, then acquired 297 factors from the general public (out of a potential most of 444). Twelve of these factors got here from the UK.

For some time, it seemed like Yuval Raphael's lead is perhaps unassailable - however Austria's tally of 178 was the final to be introduced, leaving the singer empty-handed.

And spare a thought for Switzerland.

Their contestant, Zoë Më, was in second place after the jury vote, with 214 factors. Then the general public gave her the night time's solely different zero-point rating.