Austria has won the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, with 24-year-old Austrian-Filipino singer-songwriter JJ (real name Johannes Pietsch) taking home the prestigious glass microphone trophy.
Representing Austria with the operatic ballad “Wasted Love,” JJ delivered a dramatic performance staged on a storm-tossed ship. The emotional song about unrequited love featured a striking techno breakdown, drawing comparisons to last year’s winner, Nemo. This marks Austria’s third Eurovision win, following Conchita Wurst’s victory in 2014 with "Rise Like A Phoenix."
Runner-Up: Israel's Yuval Raphael
Coming in second place was Israel's Yuval Raphael, a survivor of the October 7, 2023 attacks. His powerful ballad “New Day Will Rise”, sung in Hebrew, French, and English, resonated with many. However, the performance was interrupted by drama as two pro-Palestinian protesters attempted to storm the stage during the Israeli act.
Organizers confirmed that a backstage crew member was hit with paint but was not injured. The two protesters were detained and handed over to police but later released. It remains up to the event organizers whether to pursue legal action.
Political Statements and Protests
Eurovision 2025 was not without controversy. Spanish broadcaster RTVE displayed a pro-Palestinian message at the start of the live broadcast:
“When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.”
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) responded, reminding RTVE of the expectation for neutrality in Eurovision coverage. Meanwhile, protests both for and against Israel were reported in the host city of Basel, Switzerland, where heightened security was evident.
The ban on certain flags was relaxed this year, leading to Palestinian symbols being seen throughout the arena. The Israeli National Security Council had earlier advised its citizens in Basel to keep a low profile during the competition.
Results Summary:
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🥇 1st – Austria (JJ – "Wasted Love")
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🥈 2nd – Israel (Yuval Raphael – "New Day Will Rise")
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🥉 3rd – Estonia (Tommy Cash – "Espresso Macchiato")
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🇸🇪 Sweden, a pre-show favorite, finished 4th with “Bara Bada Bastu” (Just Sauna)
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🇺🇦 Ukraine placed 9th
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🇬🇧 The UK finished 19th with Remember Monday's “What The Hell Just Happened?”, receiving no public votes for the second year in a row.
Other Highlights:
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Claude from The Netherlands placed 12th with "C'est La Vie"
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Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Finland’s Käärijä returned with performances
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Last year’s winner Nemo also performed during the show
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The contest was hosted by an all-female team: Hazel Brugger, Michelle Hunziker, and Sandra Studer
Next year, Eurovision 2026 will mark the 70th edition of the contest and will be hosted in Austria.
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