In a night that mirrored a song that carried him to a second Eurovision crown, the Swedish artist Loreen etched a historic moment into festival lore. The first woman to reach this milestone, she joined the annals of a competition that keeps rewriting its own record books. The field keeps expanding, and Loreen’s feat sits alongside the strongest performances in recent decades, a testament to the evolving stage presence that defines the contest today.
Only one artist has previously matched such a mark, a tall order shared by Johnny Logan in 1980 and 1987. This time the Berber performer carried a Henna-stained memory and sharp nails that echoed a rise from his homeland. The achievement aligns with Ireland’s seven wins, underscoring the long tradition of memorable victories as the festival prepared to mark fifty years since ABBA’s Waterloo coronation in a celebration of enduring pop history.
With a total of 583 points, a return that fans anticipated did not come easily. The artist settled for a second place with 526 votes, a result watched closely by bettors and by Käärijä from Finland, whose forecast shadowed the final outcome. Noa Kirel from Israel followed with 362 points, while Italy, Norway, Ukraine, Belgium, Estonia, Australia, and the Czech Republic filled the next positions in a dynamic leaderboard that reflected a broad, international mix of styles and tastes.
Spain’s White Dove and her Flemish-inspired ballad EaEa faced a tougher outcome, landing in a position outside the top five that had been the subject of early predictions. The jury’s scores were respectable, while audience voting proved more volatile, illustrating the contest’s ongoing balance between expert assessment and popular response.
Kate Middleton Makes an Unexpected Gala Appearance
Opening the gala, a surprise moment featured a video greeting from the 2022 champion Kalush Orchestra, with the Princess of Wales seated at the piano to accompany Stefania as performed in Windsor. The moment offered a resonant tribute that extended beyond the competition, highlighting solidarity across Europe amid ongoing challenges in the region.
The tribute extended into a broader reflection on the contest’s mission, celebrating unity in a time of geopolitical tension. The event was staged in Liverpool, a city famed as a cradle of modern pop thanks to its musical legacy, and it provided a platform for performances that paid homage to a lineage stretching from classic songcraft to contemporary stagecraft. Italian artist Mahmood delivered a set that bridged genres, while other acts drew inspiration from diverse influences, weaving a tapestry that mirrored the contest’s global reach.
As for the festival entries, anticipation rode high. French representative La Zarra offered a poised performance, drawing a line between classic storytelling and modern stage presentation. Edith Piaf’s influence surfaced in a disco-tinged interpretation, while Marco Mengoni brought a San Remo-born ballad that carried a strong emotional current to the night. The audience responded with mixed reactions, signaling a festival that thrives on contrasts and calculated risks.
Blanca Paloma continued to enchant, reintroducing a choreographic concept linked to her Benidorm triumph and a signature shawl that nods to flamenco influences. Her presence signaled a fusion of regional heritage and international spectacle, a recognition that the contest thrives when it embraces a broad sonic palette. The program spanned continents and eras, from African rhythms to northern electronic textures, underscoring a bold bet on musical experimentation that some viewed as risky and others as essential evolution.
Another moment of almost tangible tension appeared as Loreen faced the daunting task of defending a title while carrying the weight of the competition’s hopes on her shoulders. The crowd sensed a pivotal moment in a year when the betting odds and fan expectations collided on a grand stage, leaving little doubt about the gravity of the moment for the artist and her team.
The show also delivered an exuberant clash of styles, including a playful riff that fused rock textures with anime-inspired visuals. Käärijä from Finland delivered a production number that felt wildly energetic, a reminder that Eurovision rewards both precision and theatrical audacity.
Blanca Paloma: The Intimate and Trance-like Space
The second act emphasized a different strain of appeal, where a more intimate, trance-inflected mood found space within the larger spectacle. The field allowed a diverse array of bids, from the Viking-infused bravura of Norway to the modern pop sensibilities of Israel and beyond. A satirical blend of European and global influences explored themes of music, politics, and spectacle, weaving together electronic folklore with more traditional rock elements.
Finland Takes the TV Vote Sweep
The voting sequence offered a clear snapshot of how public sentiment can shape a competition, with Finland emerging as a standout through a robust television tally. The professional judges placed Sweden at the forefront, but Finland’s public support ultimately propelled a strong overall showing. Sweden and Norway followed closely, with Israel and Italy earning substantial recognition from the panel while Spain secured a respectable position in the final tally. The night recalled the festival’s long history of dramatic, crowd-driven conclusions that keep audiences eager for the next edition.
The legacy of Loreen’s past wins, including her 2023 triumph and earlier victories in 2012, sits alongside ABBA’s historic 1974 win and other iconic moments in Eurovision history. The contest continues to honor its roots while inviting new voices to carry the banner forward into a future where every color of music finds a place on the stage for an ever-widening global audience.