Eurovision 2025 winner unveiled as Austria beat controversial Israel in final
Eurovision fans were over the moon as contestants belted out an array of pop-opera, rock anthems and soul-stirring ballads. When it came down to the wire, the winning act hailed from Austria with JJ clinching the top spot.
The evening was filled with anticipation as Israel and Austria neck-and-neck for the crown. With a standout performance of "Wasted Love," Austria's JJ emerged victorious while the contentious Israeli contestant took second place.
Under the stagename Johannes Pietsch, JJ opted for a monochromatic set in Basel that evoked the feeling of a nautical voyage as he crooned about someone precious being inundated.
"I want to thank my entire family, my entire team, thank you so much for making my dreams come true. And especially to you Europe, thank you for making my dreams come true," an elated JJ expressed.
Fans didn't hold back on social media, with one comment reading: "Thank f**k for that ! ! Well done Austria."
Yet another relieved comment read: "Phew, well done Austria."
The competition saw two standout acts perform consecutively; 21 year old Claude Kiambe from the Netherlands wowed the audience with his emotional piece C'est La Vie, drawing on his mother's sagacity, with his rendition stirring him to tears.
In a departure from the poignant, Erika Vikman of Finland took the risqué route clad in black leather, as she electrified the crowd with Ich Komme, a German-Finnish mashup that culminated in her dramatic exit atop a colossal microphone amidst a dazzling display of sparks, reports the Mirror.
Among several unforgettable performances, Maltese songstress Miriana Conte debuted Serving, aptly renamed from Kant for its unfortunate phonetic link to profanity, while Switzerland's Zoe Me delivered an emotive journey with her number Voyage.
Earlier, Nemo, the 2024 Swiss winner, made a return to the Eurovision stage to perform The Code, donned in a full-length white dress. This followed an opening sketch that depicted a Mission Impossible-style quest to locate the trophy, before it was presented to the hosts.
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