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Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Who is the favourite to win Eurovision 2025?
It has arrived in Basel in style as this year's Eurovision song contest takes place in Switzerland and the bookies have a clear favourite in this year's edition The anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. After a rollercoaster ride of national selections, rigorous rehearsals, and two nail-biting semi-finals, the Grand Finale of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is set to dazzle us all in Basel, Switzerland this evening. Semi-Final 1 was dominated by Claude's 'C'est la vie' representing the Netherlands, which has now catapulted into the top five favourites. However, it was a night of high drama as much-touted entries from Croatia and Belgium were unexpectedly eliminated. On a brighter note, Albania's Zjerm electrified the crowd with its high-octane electro-folk tune. Meanwhile, Iceland's Róa and Portugal's NAPA defied predictions to secure their berths in the grand showdown. The second Semi-Final saw Latvia's Tautumeitas earning their ticket to the finale for just the third time in their history. They were joined by surprise qualifiers from Denmark and Armenia. However, the night's biggest shocker was Australia bowing out prematurely despite strong support from bookmakers for Go-Jo's viral sensation 'Milkshake Man'. In stark contrast to previous years where victories for acts like Loreen (2023) and Kalush Orchestra (2022) seemed almost preordained, this year's contest is teetering on a knife-edge. The stage is set for surprises, upsets and perhaps even a historic first victory for a novelty act. Who is the favourite to win Eurovision? Sweden stands tall as the bookmakers' favourite, with AKBets offering odds of 21/20. Their entry, "Bara Bada Bastu," is a vibrant fusion that celebrates the beloved Scandinavian sauna culture through an irresistible pop lens. Sung entirely in Swedish—a refreshing change from recent trends—this track has taken the streaming world by storm, amassing over 44 million plays on Spotify and topping charts throughout Scandinavia. Sweden's edge in this year's contest isn't solely due to the song's widespread appeal. The country's rich Eurovision history is a formidable factor, boasting seven victories, with notable wins as recent as 2012 and 2023. This track record of success is reflected in their current performance, as "Bara Bada Bastu" leads fan polls like OGAE and Eurovisionworld, dominates social media conversations, and enjoys widespread backing from fans and bettors alike. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
Newsweek
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
How To Watch Eurovision 2025 Grand Final in US—Start Time, Song List
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 will culminate with its Grand Final on Saturday, bringing together 37 countries for an evening of high-energy performances, glitzy staging and international pop flair. This year's edition features the United Kingdom's entry, Remember Monday, a country-pop trio aiming to turn around the U.K.'s recent poor showings with their track "What The Hell Just Happened." The group, composed of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull and Charlotte Steele, previously appeared on The Voice and have backgrounds in West End productions including Phantom of the Opera and Six: The Musical. Finalists were determined this week during two semifinals. Automatic entries include the so-called "Big Five" nations—France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.—as well as the defending champion's country. Klavdia from Greece performs the song "Asteromata" during the second semifinal of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, on May 15, 2025. Klavdia from Greece performs the song "Asteromata" during the second semifinal of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, in Basel, Switzerland, on May 15, 2025. Martin Meissner/AP Photo What Time Is The Eurovision 2025 Grand Final? The Grand Final will begin at 3 p.m. ET and noon PT on Saturday in the United States. The Contestants and the Songs From the first semifinal, these countries qualified: Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray Ziferblat – Bird of Pray Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado Second semifinal qualifiers: Greece: Klavdia – Asteromáta Klavdia – Asteromáta Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise Finland: Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME Erika Vikman – ICH KOMME Austria: JJ – Wasted Love Six countries—the Big Five and host nation Switzerland—qualified automatically for the Grand Final. The Big Five: France: Louane – Maman Louane – Maman Germany: Abor & Tynna – Baller Abor & Tynna – Baller Italy: Lucio Corsi – Volevo essere un duro Lucio Corsi – Volevo essere un duro Spain: Melody – Esa diva Melody – Esa diva United Kingdom: Remember Monday – What the Hell Just Happened? Switzerland's Zoë Më will perform "Voyage" in the Grand Final as the host country's 2025 entry, while 2024 winner Nemo, who triumphed with "The Code," is scheduled to return as a guest performer. Women in traditional dresses prepare to dance in a park during a family meeting with Ukrainians and Eurovision band Ziferblat in Basel, Switzerland. Women in traditional dresses prepare to dance in a park during a family meeting with Ukrainians and Eurovision band Ziferblat in Basel, Switzerland. Martin Meissner/AP Photo Where Is This Year's Eurovision Song Contest? The contest is in Basel, Switzerland at the St. Jakobshalle arena. It marks the third time the country has hosted Eurovision and aligns with this year's theme, "Welcome Home," commemorating the first-ever contest held in Switzerland in 1956. How To Watch Eurovision Song Contest In the United States, viewers can stream the Grand Final live on Peacock. The show is also available on the Eurovision Song Contest's official YouTube channel, depending on regional access. Controversies And Politics More than 70 past contestants, including the U.K.'s Mae Muller, have signed an open letter calling for Israel's exclusion from the contest. They argue the Israeli broadcaster KAN is complicit in war crimes amid Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The European Broadcasting Union has maintained that Eurovision is a non-political event and declined to ban the country. Yuval Raphael, Israel's contestant, who survived the Nova music festival massacre in 2023, told the BBC she was "expecting to be booed" during her performance amid the Gaza conflict. Can I Vote From The U.S.? Eurovision voting combines jury scores with public votes. Each participating country awards two sets of scores—one from a panel of music experts and another from fans, who vote by phone, SMS or the Eurovision app. Viewers cannot vote for their own country, and a special "rest of the world" vote is included for non-participating nations like the U.S.
Japan Today
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Eurovision: the grand final line-up
Hazel Brugger, left, and Sandra Studer are hosting the Eurovision 2025 semi-finals The 26 countries taking part in Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest grand final, are now known, with 20 now having qualified from this week's semifinals. Ten countries went through from Tuesday's first semi-final, while five were eliminated following votes cast by viewers. The final line-up was completed after Thursday's second semifinal, when 10 countries progressed and six were knocked out. The so-called "Big Five" -- Eurovision's main financial backers France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom -- have guaranteed spots in the final, alongside hosts Switzerland. Here are the 26 countries, their acts and their songs competing for Eurovision glory on Saturday at the St. Jakobshalle arena in the Swiss city of Basel: -- Albania: Shkodra Elektronike, "Zjerm" -- Armenia: Parg, "Survivor" -- Austria: JJ, "Wasted Love" -- Estonia: Tommy Cash, "Espresso Macchiato" -- Denmark: Sissal, "Hallucination" -- Finland: Erika Vikman, "Ich Komme" -- France: Louane, "Maman" -- Germany: Abor & Tynna, "Baller" -- Greece: Klavdia, "Asteromata" -- Iceland: Vaeb, "Roa" -- Israel: Yuval Raphael, "New Day Will Rise" -- Italy: Lucio Corsi, "Volevo Essere Un Duro" -- Latvia: Tautumeitas, "Bur Man Laimi" -- Lithuania: Katarsis, "Tavo akys" -- Luxembourg: Laura Thorn, "La Poupee Monte Le Son" -- Malta: Miriana Conte, "Serving" -- Netherlands: Claude, "C'est la Vie" -- Norway: Kyle Alessandro, "Lighter" -- Poland: Justyna Steczkowska, "Gaja" -- Portugal: Napa, "Deslocado" -- San Marino: Gabry Ponte, "Tutta l'Italia" -- Spain: Melody, "Esa Diva" -- Sweden: KAJ, "Bara Bada Bastu" -- Switzerland: Zoe Me, "Voyage" -- Ukraine: Ziferblat, "Bird of Pray" -- United Kingdom: Remember Monday, "What the Hell Just Happened?" © 2025 AFP
France 24
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Eurovision: the grand final line-up
Ten countries went through from Tuesday's first semi-final, while five were eliminated following votes cast by viewers. The final line-up was completed after Thursday's second semi-final, when 10 countries progressed and six were knocked out. The so-called "Big Five" -- Eurovision's main financial backers France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom -- have guaranteed spots in the final, alongside hosts Switzerland. Here are the 26 countries, their acts and their songs competing for Eurovision glory on Saturday at the St. Jakobshalle arena in the Swiss city of Basel: -- Albania: Shkodra Elektronike, "Zjerm" -- Armenia: Parg, "Survivor" -- Austria: JJ, "Wasted Love" -- Estonia: Tommy Cash, "Espresso Macchiato" -- Denmark: Sissal, "Hallucination" -- Finland: Erika Vikman, "Ich Komme" -- France: Louane, "Maman" -- Germany: Abor & Tynna, "Baller" -- Greece: Klavdia, "Asteromata" -- Iceland: Vaeb, "Roa" -- Israel: Yuval Raphael, "New Day Will Rise" -- Italy: Lucio Corsi, "Volevo Essere Un Duro" -- Latvia: Tautumeitas, "Bur Man Laimi" -- Lithuania: Katarsis, "Tavo akys" -- Luxembourg: Laura Thorn, "La Poupee Monte Le Son" -- Malta: Miriana Conte, "Serving" -- Netherlands: Claude, "C'est la Vie" -- Norway: Kyle Alessandro, "Lighter" -- Poland: Justyna Steczkowska, "Gaja" -- Portugal: Napa, "Deslocado" -- San Marino: Gabry Ponte, "Tutta l'Italia" -- Spain: Melody, "Esa Diva" -- Sweden: KAJ, "Bara Bada Bastu" -- Switzerland: Zoe Me, "Voyage" -- Ukraine: Ziferblat, "Bird of Pray" © 2025 AFP
Evening Standard
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
‘Silent' pro-Palestinian protest set for streets of Basel during Eurovision
San Marino's Gabry Ponte with the catchy Tutta L'Italia, Albania's Shkodra Elektronike with folksy Zjerm, and Portugal's Napa with the dancey Deslocado and Norway's Kyle Alessandro with the fiery Lighter also got to the next had not triumphed until Nemo with The Code at Malmo 2024 after Dion won in Dublin, more than three decades ago, and as a tribute to her Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi was performed in St Jakobshalle arena by previous Eurovision stars including Silvester Belt and Iolanda.
