Sweden goes into Eurovision as punters' favourite
With a month to go before the grand finale in Basel on May 17, anything could happen.
But Sweden, which has already won the glitzy glamfest seven times -- tied with Ireland for the most Eurovision Song Contest victories -- is once again seen as the clear favourite to steal the show.
Betting sites currently put its odds at 29 percent, followed by Austria at 19 percent, France at 10 percent and Israel at six percent.
Here is an overview of the acts topping of the rankings:
- SWEDEN: Hot stuff -
This year, the act representing Sweden at Eurovision is in fact a comedy trio of dour-looking Finns, marking a departure from the polished, glossy spectacles Sweden usually presents.
The three men from Finland's Swedish-speaking community who make up KAJ -- Kevin, Axel and Jakob -- aim to win an eighth trophy for Sweden, with a quirky eulogy to the joy of saunas.
"Bara bada bastu" (Just have a sauna), with its comic and catchy chorus, is sung in Finnish-tinged Swedish to the rhythm of the accordion.
On stage, the three men wear suits in a mock sauna surrounded by dancers in towels and wool hats, and armed with bouquets of birch branches, used by sauna enthusiasts to whip up their blood circulation.
"Sweden has accustomed us to highly produced, almost glossy acts," Fabien Randanne, a journalist at 20 Minutes and Eurovision specialist, told AFP.
"Today, it seems the public is more open to rough edges, originality and singularity."
Sweden's most notable Eurovision victory was perhaps when pop quartet ABBA catapulted to global stardom with its 1974 winning song, "Waterloo".
The Scandinavian country last won in 2023, with the more conventional pop song "Tattoo" by Loreen, who also won the competition in 2012.
- AUSTRIA: Vocal crescendo -
"Wasted Love", sung by Austrian-Filipino countertenor Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, fuses pop and lyrical elements in a crescendo that flows into techno sounds.
The 23-year-old grew up in Dubai before discovering classical music in Vienna, where he is currently honing his skills between talent shows and small roles at the opera.
In his Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, he pivots from high soprano notes into a blend of lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish.
His falsetto voice recalls that of German great Klaus Nomi, and evokes Austria's classical music heritage.
His song's opera-infused genre-blending style has also drawn comparisons to "The Code" -- Swiss non-binary vocalist Nemo's 2024 Eurovision victory song in Malmo, Sweden, which gave Switzerland the right to host this year's edition.
Also leaning on the styles of Mariah Carey and Anna Netrebko -- his favourite artists -- JJ hopes to secure a third Eurovision victory for Austria, which most recently won with bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst's act in 2014.
- FRANCE: Finally? -
Well-known in France, 28-year-old singer and actress Louane has infused a sense of hope that her country could declare a Eurovision victory for the first time in nearly half a century.
Louane, whose real name is Anne Peichert, shot to French stardom in 2013 when she participated in the televised talent show The Voice.
Her ballad, "Maman", addressed to her mother who died of cancer in 2014, exclaims: "In the end, you see, I built my life... I've grown up. From you, I've kept everything that makes me who I am."
France already has five Eurovision wins under its belt, but the last one dates back to 1977.
Marie Myriam, who won that year with her song "L'oiseau et l'enfant", or "The bird and the child", said she hoped this year's pick could finally bring an end to her country's losing streak.
"I want to believe that France will finally declare victory through Louane's voice and performance, under the gaze of the most beautiful of stars, her star," she told AFP.
- ISRAEL: Out of the darkness -
Yuval Raphael, a survivor of Hamas's deadly attack on October 7, 2023, will represent Israel at this year's Eurovision contest.
When Hamas militants killed over 370 people at the Nova music festival, the 24-year-old survived by hiding under a pile of bodies inside a roadside bomb shelter.
Raphael only began singing professionally after the attack, as a way to deal with her trauma.
She was selected to represent Israel after winning the "Hakochav Haba" (Rising Star) reality television contest with a powerful ballad version of ABBA's "Dancing Queen".
At Eurovision, she will perform the power ballad "New Day Will Rise", with lyrics in English, Hebrew and French about survival after tragedy.
Last year, amid anger over Israel's war in Gaza, the country's competitor Eden Golan faced threats and mass-protests at the Eurovision contest held in Sweden.
There have also been calls this year for Israel to be barred from Eurovision.
But that has been ruled out by the European Broadcasting Union, which oversees the competition and of which Israel's public broadcaster is a member.
Israel, which has taken part in the contest since 1973, has won four times, most recently with Netta Barzilai's 2018 rendition of "Toy".
bur-vog/nl/vog/rmb
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Director Kevin Macdonald Recalls Working in 'Wasteful' Era of Hollywood, Sending ‘State of Play' Script to Brad Pitt: 'He Said, ‘I Hate It''
Brothers Kevin and Andrew Macdonald discussed their respective careers in an ever-shifting film industry Sunday at the Edinburgh International Film Festival's keynote session. Kevin Macdonald, an Oscar winner for his feature-length documentary One Day in September (1999), is also known for his fiction work, including The Last King of Scotland (2006) and State of Play (2009), as well as Touching the Void (2003) and How I Live Now (2013). Andrew Macdonald, meanwhile, is a producer best known for his collaborations with Danny Boyle and Alex Garland on the likes of Trainspotting (1996), The Beach (2000), Ex Machina (2014) and the 28 Days Later franchise. More from The Hollywood Reporter Netflix Unveils First Look at Louis Partridge, James Norton, Emily Fairn and Anthony Boyle in 'House of Guinness,' Sets September Launch Date Edgar Wright, Guy Pearce, Gale Anne Hurd, Stephen Elliott Pay Tribute to "Truly Iconic" Terence Stamp: "The Most Mesmerizing Eyes" Thelma Schoonmaker on Martin Scorsese's "Remarkable" Bond With Michael Powell and Using AI to Help Publish Her Late Husband's Diaries The session, hosted by Edinburgh TV Festival boss Rowan Woods, began with a blast from the past: the brothers' short film that saw them as 20-something-year-olds interview the creatives — including Robbie Coltrane, Sam Fuller and Michael Winner — at the 1992 Edinburgh Film Festival. The pair were pressing industry names on how to get Shallow Grave made. At the end, Sean Connery stars over the phone; Kevin had managed to get hold of the Scottish actor in his trailer while he shot 1993's Rising Sun in L.A. The conversation spanned a myriad of topics, namely the projects they are most proud of and the inner workings of getting some of the 21st century's biggest films over the line. Kevin Macdonald spoke candidly about working with Hollywood A-listers for the first time on political thriller State of Play. After months of rewriting the script with Tony Gilroy (and spending a lot of money), '[We] gave it to Brad Pitt,' Macdonald explained. 'And he said, 'I hate it.'' 'That was just the beginning of a long, very Hollywood [experience],' he laughed. 'A certain kind of wasteful Hollywood filmmaking, where they were trying to make intelligent and good films,' he added, referencing how an entire soundstage was knocked through in L.A. instead of shooting on location in Washington D.C., because Pitt wanted to stay near his family. But Pitt's role eventually went to Russell Crowe, anyway. Macdonald said about feeling out of his depth filming with huge stars: 'I don't think I'm saying anything out of turn to say that Russell Crowe is quite a difficult man and he would intimidate the studio to such a degree that they wouldn't actually want to come to set.' 'I would say to the studio, 'Oh my god, this is a nightmare,'' he laughed again, ''I can't control this, man, we're spending all this money,' and they're saying, 'You're doing great.'' He also revealed he had to push for Forest Whitaker to be cast in The Last King of Scotland: 'He came in so keen to do this,' he recalled. 'He felt compelled to do this part…. I saw this very gentle, spiritual man, but there's something dark, and that was, I think, what he wanted to express. I remember going to Fox Searchlight. They'd said, 'Forest is totally wrong. He's so gentle and sweet. He can't be right.'' He continued: 'It became a bit of a battle. In the end, they relented. It's one of those great things in life when your actor goes on to win an Oscar, and Searchlight have to admit that you were right. That doesn't happen very often.' His brother Andrew managed to sneak into the Oscars' Vanity Fair party that year, pretending to be Kevin, the siblings also revealed, where he gave an interview as Kevin to British broadcaster Sky News. When asked what kind of projects he finds are worth pursuing in the current climate, Andrew simply gave thanks for finding Garland: 'I've been very fortunate in the last 10 years, to work with this guy who can come up with a script, literally, in 24 hours. So we spent a lot of time producing his films, what he wants to do, and out of that has come a very good relationship with A24, and that's really the majority of what we've done. Every so often, something comes up that fits in.' On the difficulty of filming 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple back to back, Andrew said: 'It wasn't hard, because there's some key actors that were in first [part]. That's why we did it back-to-back. I think the director of the second film, she probably did the hardest thing — because she had to take some elements that were already in place, that weren't necessarily her […] choice,' he said about Nia DaCosta, whose installment is set for release in January 2026. The pair fielded a series of questions from the audience toward the end of the session, where Kevin expressed he thought a lot of people in the industry are 'overly despondent' about the impact of AI. The filmmaker also said he would love to be making Richard Linklater's Merrily We Roll Along, filmed across 20 years with Paul Mescal and Ben Platt. 'What a wonderful idea,' he said. 'That would be so much fun to do.' Edinburgh International Film Festival 2025 runs Aug. 14-20. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 10 Wrestlers Turned Actors, Ranked The 25 Best U.S. Film Schools in 2025 The 40 Greatest Needle Drops in Film History Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Perrie Edwards Speaks Out About Pregnancy Loss For The First Time
Perrie Edwards has spoken for the first time about her experiences of pregnancy loss. The former Little Mix singer recently sat down for an extensive interview with YouTube personality Paul C Brunson on his channel We Need To Talk, where she shared that Axel, the four-year-old son she shares with fiancé Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, is a 'rainbow baby' (a term used to describe a baby born after a previous pregnancy loss). She explained: 'I had a miscarriage very early on with my first ever pregnancy, and it was so early. I remember finding out I was pregnant. 'Obviously, I started bleeding not long after, and I went to the hospital and I had the scan and they were like, 'There's no baby'.' Perrie later got pregnant again with her son, Axel, who was born in August 2021, shortly before Little Mix underwent their final tour. 'When I was pregnant with him, like, I loved being pregnant, it was one of the happiest times of my life,' Perrie said. 'Like, I just love carrying babies. And it was lovely. 'But I was a bit on edge thinking, 'oh, gosh, like, I want to get past the 12 weeks. I want to get past this'. And when I [got] past every scan, that pregnancy was complete bliss, it was perfect.' Perrie then went on to disclose that she experienced another miscarriage shortly after Axel was born 'We fell pregnant again after,' the Forget About Us singer explained. 'Maybe a year [after] and probably not even. Actually, yeah. Not even a year, because Axel wasn't even walking yet and we were pregnant. 'I found out when I was rehearsing for the Little Mix tour, the last Little Mix tour. I was at rehearsals and I thought, 'oh, I don't feel good'. Every symptom under the sun. I was like, 'I think I'm pregnant'. 'And then we went for what was a 20-week scan, but we were actually 22 weeks, and that was just the worst day of my life. Like horrendous. I just knew something was wrong in the scan, and he just kept going over the same thing, over the same thing... I've never experienced an out-of-body experience where everything goes in slow motion. 'So then I remember sobbing. [Alex] was injured at the time and he couldn't really drive. He was struggling to drive, but I couldn't see straight. I was just distraught. And yeah, we basically lost the baby at like 24 weeks.' Perrie continued: 'It's weird because the first time it happened, I think because it was so early, I was like, 'oh, that's hard'. But I think when you're fully, like carrying in your 24 weeks and you've planned out like that room and all these things, it's really hard.' Watch Perrie's interview on We Need To Talk below: Perrie has been with her partner Alex since 2017, with the couple announcing their engagement in 2022. She and her Little Mix bandmate Leigh-Anne Pinnock famously welcomed children the same month as each other, when they were still part of the chart-topping girl group. Help and support: Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby. Tommy's fund research into miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, and provide pregnancy health information to parents. Saying Goodbye offers support for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy. READ MORE: Perrie Edwards Admits She's Still Moved To Tears By Jesy Nelson Rift Meghan Markle Shares Rare Insight Into Learning To 'Let Go' After Miscarriage Baby Loss Certificates Remind Us That Talking About Miscarriage Shouldn't Be A Taboo
Buzz Feed
12 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Killer Cute Products To Treat Yourself To
A portable retro-style radio for folks who love modern music and an old-school aesthetic. The radio has built-in speakers and a handle, which makes it great for your living room *and* for picnics, days at the beach, and camping trips. A book nook kit complete with motion-sensor LED lights that'll glow every time you pass by your bookshelf, creating an extra element of magic beside your impressive romantasy collection. The 3D puzzle is made of wood, and includes dozens of flat sheets with images that'll need to be punched out, folded into shape, and then carefully pieced together to create the intricate space. A minion wifi router — now that you know these helpful buds exist, it'd be positively *despicable* to not bring Bob or Kevin home. A ribbon bookmark so you can treat your bookworm bestie to a gift that's pretty as a picture. A new with a ribbon on top. Well, between the pages. But you get it. A Dunder Mifflin Polly Pocket bursting with easter eggs and special accessories — fans of The Office are sure to love using these little bits and bops to recreate favorite scenes from the show (at a pint-sized scale). A "Penny the Penguin" silicone measuring cup so you can easily see how much liquid this little gal gobbles up, then pour it into your cooking without any mess. A giant balloon dog (we're talkin' over 4 ft. wide and 5 ft. long!) that'll keep you feeling cool in the pool even during those *ruff* dog days of summer. Or a giant pretzel that's sure to feel like a real *treat* when you're floating peacefully along, all wrapped up in your favorite salty snack. Auntie Anne would be so proud. A penguin-shaped egg cooker and holder so you can confidently prepare easy-, medium-, and hard-boiled eggs without any slips, spills, or cracks. Plus, these cold-weather birds can safely store your hard-boiled eggs in the fridge upright and clearly marked so you know you're cracking open an egg that's actually cooked. A light-up grandpa frog figurine with a posture that says, "You better believe I waited up to make sure you got home safe," and a tiny little mug of solar-powered sunshine to let you know they're glad you're back. Aww, sorry, I think I've got a little frog in my throat. It's sweet. Vacation's Classic Whip SPF 30 — a water-resistant and sensitive skin-friendly sunscreen that feels like a luxe lightweight whip (because it IS). Just picture the looks of surprise, envy, and delight you're gonna get from fellow beach goers when you pull this ridiculously cute sunscreen out. It's gonna be delicious. A My Hair, My Crown wooden tray puzzle — whether you've got a toddler who would love an easy-peasy puzzle *or* you are kid-free but know a sweet piece of toy-turned-decor when you see one, this puzzle is sure to become an aww-worthy favorite in your home. Eatz-A-Lotl, a card game for folks who love (even if they can't spell) axolotls! This is a fast-paced but simple matching game featuring an axolotl eating popcorn, pretzels, pizza, other food that probably doesn't start with the letter P. Probably. A retro trinket print featuring a Tootsie Roll, Hooked on Books pin, Kewpie cutie, and other odds and ends that'll add some quirky creativity to your home. The cream backing is a great way to ease some color into your place if you fully embraced the beige and want to slowly add more color into your everyday decor. A windshield sunshade umbrella sure to keep your car a little cooler if it sits out in the sun all day. Plus, reviewers say the umbrella-like design is easier to use than accordion versions. A cat hand towel that'll lend a helping hand (or, ahem, paw) when you're cooking and cleaning around the house. Cinderella has shown us that furry friends are the *best* at chores. Those are simply the facts. A silly snail soap dispenser — don't be sluggish about adding this ridiculous piece of home decor to your foyer because it's sure to get your house guests to keep their hands clean when they visit. A Pop-Tart-inspired light switch cover that'll add a *pop* of personality to your place. If you want to make a room stand out, never skip the simple things! Light switch covers (THIS cute) make a massive difference. A daisy-shaped dish brush inside a vase caddy for folks who want a life so darling that even doing the dishes is whimsical. A disco ball balloon dog that'll look doggone delightful when the sun hits it just so, creating a light show in your living room. An insulated seagrass picnic basket sure to be the highlight of your wine and cheese date nights during movie screenings at the park. This features both handles and a shoulder strap for easy carrying. The loose fabric bow top ties open and closed, leaving space for the baguette you *better* bring to snack on alongside your brie and rosé. Yay! Waldorf woodland creatures — each open-ended shape is designed with holes that'll easily fit different twigs, stems, petals, and leaves you find while on nature walks. If you wanna spend more time outside but need a *purpose* to get yourself on a walk, creating tiny woodland creatures may be just the thing! A reviewer-adored Cozy Spaces-themed coloring book for times when you need to put on your noise-canceling headphones and remind yourself that there's no need to think about anything other than coloring. This is designed to distract your busy brain with tiny bears making turnip tinctures and bugs decorating their overturned teacup homes. Cute. A dino nugget pillow that'll be adored by folks who aren't too ~chicken~ to display some controversial fine art in their home. A strawberry tea kettle so you can accentuate your stovetop with an accessory worth keeping out 24/7. And a strawberry vase to keep this ~berry~ cute theme going strong in your kitchen. A mini highland cow plush (that can be heated AND cooled!!), because everyone would say "yes" to receiving an actual mini highland cow if they could. I mean, if someone offered me one, I would take it and tell my landlord. It would work! Stranger things have happened! A shaved sheep plushie for folks who aren't ~sheepish~ about showing off their love of darling toys. Why should kids have all the fun? An adjustable lamp that sits, stays, and is sure to make them smile when the day feels ~ruff~. A set of cowboy straw toppers, because there ain't no sharin' drinks around these parts. Prevent other cowpokes from sippin' your whisky (re: water bottle) and keep it fresh and germ-free with one of these useful caps. A stress-relieving puffer fish squish with the grumpiest face you ever did see. Despite this critter's mean mug, they're sure to cause you an unreasonable amount of glee! Anytime you're feeling sad, this squish is gonna be there to help you get your feelings out and blubber up all you want! A set of troll doll lighter cases just might be the chaotic *treasure* you need on hand 24/7. Forget worry stones, if you dig in your purse and pull out a flaming troll head, ALL your worries will be gone in an instant. That's simply science. A woven snail shelf sure to lift the spirits of anyone who is feeling the effects of their bland, expensive rental. Even if you're not the sort of person known to shell out compliments, you're sure to give this a round of applause every time you walk into your living room. A tomato table lamp that's less than half the cost of the Urban Outfitters' version (which is always sold out), and reviewers think it's even better! This is sure to ~produce~ some smiles from everyone who sits in your living room! A stuffed olive doorknob for quirky souls who love covering their home in oddball accessories. They're gonna be all, "~Olive~ this gift!" when they get it. Of course they are.
