Austria wins 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, overtaking Israel in tense grand final vote — as it happened

WHAT A NIGHT!

A giant congratulations to JJ and Austria for taking out the 69th Eurovision Tune Contest.

Nicely completed to Basel as a bunch metropolis, to the broadcasters, and to all 26 entries who gave us pounding electropop, quirky rock and outrageous divas.

Sadly, Australia did not make the grand remaining however hopefully there’s at all times subsequent yr if we’re invited again.

Thanks for sticking round with myself and Maddy from 4.30am this morning!

Subsequent yr, we head off to Austria for Eurovision 2026 woohoo.

In his post-victory press convention, JJ stated profitable this yr’s Eurovision was “out of this world”.

“This is absolutely insane. My dreams came true.”

He stated he was “literally screaming and crying” when he realised he had acquired greater than the 100 factors he wanted to overhaul Israel and declare victory.

“I was like okay, a hundred points to win. And then they said a hundred plus, and I was like ahhhhhhhh!”

“I’m going to have no voice tomorrow, but who cares,” he stated.

There have been a few shocks within the voting this yr. This is how issues panned out:

• Iceland didn’t obtain a single level from the jury votes
• Switzerland (the host nation) and the UK obtained no votes from the general public. That is the second time in a row for our associates throughout the ocean
• Odds previous to the ultimate had Sweden’s KAJ group to take out the crown however they solely managed to nab 4th spot
• Estonia had a grievance lodged towards their track by Italians as they believed it mocked their nation. The EBU did not rule of their favour so Tommy Money stored his track. I reckon Estonia will likely be thrilled with third place

My sum up of among the outcomes this yr:

What. The. Hell. Simply. Occurred (you see what I did there?).

Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025 prompted a collection of protests in Basel over the struggle in Gaza.

Through the efficiency of her track New Day Will Rise, loud whistles could possibly be heard within the enviornment and two individuals tried to get on stage.

“At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage. They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint,” a Eurovision spokesman advised AFP.

“The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.”

Elsewhere in Basel, pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed briefly with riot police. Blows have been exchanged and police used tear fuel.

Reporting with AFP

 As mirror upon the morning (or night), here is some extra of what the web needed to say.

It was a nailbiter!

Ultimately it got here down to 2 seemingly winners, with Austria leapfrogging Israel, which gained the general public vote regardless of protests over the nation’s inclusion, writes my colleague Mawunyo Gbogbo. 

Learn her full story right here:

We agree, Adam. JJ is a superb winner. These pipes are so distinctive, and the track and efficiency have been each worthy of this yr’s crown.

His win additionally signifies that Austria will likely be internet hosting subsequent yr.

Put merely, JJ is the winner of Eurovision 2025!

The 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino artist, whose full identify is Johannes Pietsch, is knowledgeable performer on the Vienna State Opera.

He is a countertenor, which suggests his vocal vary most intently matches a feminine mezzo-soprano.

JJ is fluent in English, German and Tagalog.

The final time Austria gained Eurovision was in 2014, with Conchita Wurst’s Rise Like a Phoenix.

Israel completed the competitors second with 357 votes.

They shot to the highest of the leaderboard when the viewers awarded them 297 factors within the second spherical.

Eurovision’s organiser, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), has confronted criticism this yr for permitting Israel to compete regardless of its ongoing battle in Gaza that has garnered widespread opposition — much more so because it banned Russia from competing in 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine. 

Greater than 70 former Eurovision contestants have signed an open letter to EBU demanding Israel and its nationwide broadcaster be banned on this yr’s contest over what they are saying is the nation’s “genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the decades-long regime of apartheid and military occupation against the entire Palestinian people”.

Israel’s entrant, Yuval Raphael, was on the Nova music pageant in the course of the October 7 assault by Hamas militants that left 1,200 individuals useless.

Israel’s army marketing campaign in Gaza in response to the assault has killed greater than 52,000 Palestinians, in line with well being authorities within the territory.

My colleague Yasmin Jefferey explored the problem final yr, however the query nonetheless stays:

Tell us your ideas on this yr’s Eurovision Tune Contest by submitting a remark on the prime of the weblog!

My first take, after that whirlwind, is that I’m DEVASTATED Sweden’s KAJ boys did not win with Bara Bada Batsu….however glad for JJ, he is a sensational vocalist.

JJ is again on the stage to sing his profitable track Wasted Love.

Absolute mad props for composing himself sufficient to sing opera after that emotional win.

It was a wild trip! Listed below are the ultimate outcomes, which mixed each the viewers and jury votes.

Austria took out the gang at 436 votes, adopted by Israel with 357, Estonia with 356, Sweden with 321 and Italy with 256.

JJ is on the stage and he is misplaced for phrases.

Final yr’s winner Nemo offers JJ a really massive hug.

He has accepted the trophy and set free a giant yell, he deserves it! That is his second.

“Thank you so much for making my dreams come true and to you also Europe,” he says.

“Love is the strongest force in the world, let’s spread more love.”

And now we get to listen to the profitable efficiency Wasted Love once more. However how are you going to sing a track (particularly this one!) once you’re overwhelmed with a lot emotion?!

This is how the Australian public voted.

Israel was our favorite, then Finland after which Sweden in third.

I’ve to say, Hanan and I weren’t anticipating that!

They wanted 100 factors to overhaul Israel they usually get 178 POINTS!!!

They declare the crown with 436 factors.

Israel got here in second place with 357 factors.

JJ has choked on his personal water, he cannot imagine it! He is crying as he walks all the way down to the stage and there is many embraces along with his group.

It is between Israel and Austria! 

Viewers all around the world have given them zero factors. WHAT?!?!

France wants no less than 177 to take them to the highest of the leaderboard.

They solely get 50! Everybody appears rocked.