May arrives with the 2023 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest peeking over the horizon. Predictions and bets are already circulating as fans count down to the moment when the reigning champion will be crowned on the European stage.
The event traditionally takes place in the country that won the previous year. Yet the situation in Ukraine, the 2022 winner thanks to Kalush Orchestra and the song Stefania, makes hosting impossible. As a result, Eurovision 2023 is staged at the M S Bank Arena in Liverpool, United Kingdom, rather than in the winning nation.
The format remains familiar: two semi finals featuring 15 and 16 participants respectively, followed by a final. The semi finals include the big five countries Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom, with the previous year’s winner Ukraine automatically joining the final. The first semi final is scheduled for May 9, and the second for May 11. After the two semifinals, the 26 countries that advance to the grand final are determined, combining ten qualifiers from each semi with the big five and Ukraine. The final takes place on May 13, 2023.
White Dove
Spain’s entry for 2023, Blanca Paloma, began with strong predictions and some bets pointing toward a top finish while the crystal microphone appeared within reach. Yet recent betting trends have nudged expectations toward a potential fourth place. In parallel, bookmakers have shifted confidence toward the Norwegian contestant Alessandra as the event nears.
Blanca Paloma represents Elche with the song Eaea, a performance that once again infuses flamenco into Eurovision. The stage lighting emphasizes the artistry with a soft red glow that highlights the singer and guitarist in the video presentation.
Forecasts suggest Sweden could claim victory. Loreen, who already captivated Eurovision fans with Euphoria in 2012, returns to defend the Swedish pavilion with Tattoo in 2023. Bookmakers assign her a strong chance of success, exceeding forty percent in some predictive models.
Another major contender is Ukraine’s Heart of Steel, delivered by the Finnish duo Käärijä and Tvorchi with the song Cha Cha Cha. They remain viable contenders, though their chances trail behind the leading Scandinavian acts. Other notable entries include Alessandra from Norway with Queen of Kings and Blanca Paloma with Eaea, which remain closely watched in the betting markets.
As the night approaches, audiences can expect a television event that could surprise even the most confident predictions, with May 13 promising a memorable Eurovision finale.
cited for context and historical patterns: predictions and schedules reference official Eurovision event timelines and contemporary betting analyses from recognized entertainment outlets, ensuring a coherent picture of the competition landscape.