Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom 2023

Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Italy with Stefania, but the EBU concluded that the contest could not be organised safely in Ukraine. The British broadcaster BBC organised the 2023 contest in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on behalf of the Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC. It was the ninth time the United Kingdom hosted the contest. 37 countries took part. The first semi-final was held on 9 May, the second on 11 May and the Grand Final on 13 May. Loreen from Sweden won with Tattoo and 583 points, 57 points ahead of Finland. It was the seventh victory for Sweden, equalling Ireland’s record, and the second for Loreen after Euphoria in 2012.

The voting changed. The semi-finals were decided by televote alone, and viewers in countries that do not take part could vote online for the first time. Their votes were combined into one set of points, called “Rest of the World”.

Finland’s Käärijä won the first semi-final with 177 points. In the Grand Final Finland won the televote with 376 points against Sweden’s 243, a lead of 133 points that is the largest for an entry that did not win the contest, and received 12 points from the televoters of 18 countries, while Sweden received none. The juries put Sweden first with 340 points against Finland’s 150. Sweden’s win despite Finland’s televote lead caused controversy among viewers, and during the jury results the live audience interrupted Sweden’s 12 points with chants for Finland. Loreen said afterwards that she did not mind.

Sources: EBU: Sweden wins 67th Eurovision Song Contest as Europe is “United By Music”; EBU: Statement on the hosting of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest; EBU: Voting changes announced for Eurovision Song Contest 2023; Eurovision.com: Sweden’s Loreen wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2023; Wikipedia: Eurovision Song Contest 2023 (the televote lead and the audience reaction).