Austria’s JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday with his opera-tinged song “Wasted Love” triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event.
JJ topped the votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, giving Austria its first victory since Conchita Wurst’s triumph in 2014 with “Rise Like a Phoenix”.
After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel on 357 and Estonia on 356.
“Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” said 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch.
“Love is the strongest force in the world. Let’s spread more love.
“This is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s crazy.”
“Wasted Love” saw him hit the high notes while mixing opera and techno.
In his Eurovision song, about the experience of unrequited love, blends lyricism and balladry, before ending with a techno flourish.
His performance was filmed in black and white, in the 4:3 ratio of the monochrome television era.
Sweden had long been the bookmakers’ hot favourite to win the 69th edition of the contest with the comedy trio KAJ’s “Bara Bada Bastu” on the delights of sweating it out in a sauna.
But they faded away as the votes came in, finishing fourth ahead of Italy, Greece and France.
Separate jury and viewer votes from each of this year’s 37 participating countries – with equal weight – plus an extra vote from the rest of the world combined, decided who won the coveted microphone-shaped trophy.
Greece, represented by Klavdia and the song Asteromata, secured 6th place with a total of 231 points. Following closely were France with 230 points, Albania and Ukraine both with 218 points, and Switzerland in 10th place with 214 points.
It is worth noting that 2026 will mark the 70th anniversary of the renowned music competition, as the first Eurovision was held in 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland, with Lys Assia winning with the song Refrain.
“Only pride” — reactions to Greece’s entry ‘Asteromata’
Klavdia managed to secure 6th place for Greece, disproving those who had questioned the strength of the country’s entry with the song Asteromata.
The young singer took to the stage in Basel, performing 17th on the night, and delivered a deeply emotional and powerful interpretation. Under the artistic direction of Fokas Evangelinos, Asteromata was presented with sensitivity, incorporating the theme of separation as a step toward catharsis and light, moving the audience deeply.
Klavdia’s vocal control and stage presence were praised by critics and viewers alike, described as one of the evening’s most complete performances. She received enthusiastic applause in the arena and high scores from the television audience. The Eurovision community responded with excitement, propelling Greece straight into the top ten of the final.
Immediately after the announcement, social media was flooded with comments of praise. Many spoke of “Greece’s return to a serious Eurovision” and commended Klavdia for the authenticity and sincerity of her performance. The hashtag #Asteromata trended, confirming the wave of positive reception triggered by Greece’s entry.
‘Ich Komme’
An estimated 160 million people across Europe and beyond were expected to tune in for the annual TV spectacle, where kitsch, glam and spectacular staging go hand in hand.
The 26 finalists took the stage carrying their national flags at the start of the show, to the thundering sound of a traditional drum corps.
The songs in contention were a showcase of Europe’s different musical scenes.
They included a Portuguese guitar ballad, a Maltese diva, Lithuanian alternative rock, an Italian singalong, a Greek power ballad, ethereal Latvian choral folk and German booming beats.
Finland’s Erika Vikman — who gained momentum during Eurovision week with the orgasmic “Ich Komme” — finished by being hoisted in the air on a spark-emitting golden microphone, triggering a big response in the arena.
Poland’s Justyna Steczkowska, 52, set a new record between Eurovision appearances, returning 30 years after her first appearance in the competition.
The Netherlands’ competitor Claude broke into tears after performing his song “C’est La Vie”.
French singer Louane, who lost both her parents as a teenager, performed her song “Maman”, with falling pieces of cork representing the sands of time. The song’s final word was spoken by her own daughter.
And Malta’s Miriana Conte finished her diva big number “Serving” by bouncing up and down on an exercise ball.
Pro-Palestinian protests
Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2025 prompted a series of protests in Basel over the war in Gaza.
Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael survived the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war, hiding beneath bodies as Hamas gunmen attacked a music festival, killing hundreds.
During the performance of her song “New Day Will Rise”, loud whistles could be heard in the arena and two people 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 told 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 were exchanged and police used tear gas.
Life dreams
Some 6,500 excited ticket holders packed out the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, dressed up to the nines and ready to party.
“This is my first live show at Eurovision. I have goosebumps, I’m so excited!” said Luena Beeler, 20, wearing a red sequin-covered Tirol-style dress, and a big Austrian flag on her shoulders.
“This is one of my life dreams!”
Some 36,000 partygoers were watching a live transmission of the show at the football stadium opposite the arena, and held a mass singalong of Swedish four-piece ABBA’s smash hit “Waterloo”, which won Eurovision 1974.
Source: AFP/Staff writers
