No stresso, no stresso, there is still time to read everything you really need to know about the finalists in Eurovision Song Contest.

I wonder if Eurovision has ever been better, when it comes to overall song and performance quality. Gone are the days when you could just as well send a muppet turkey to represent you, because there were always someone singing worse anyway. Further there is great diversity with well produced pop bangers, rockers, ballads, electronic dance music, good old schlager and genuine ethnic vibes. Something for everyone, as it seems.

Nevertheless many state that 2025 is a weak year. Some of them would actually have wanted less diversity, fewer ballads and ethnic vibes and more party bops. That is NOT the way to go! Some simply point at the few realistic winners. Basically, there are two outcomes: Austria wins jury and enough televotes (just as Switzerland last year) or Sweden wins televotes (for once!) and enough jury points (just as Italy 2021). B…b…but what about France, Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Malta and all the other fan favourites? Well, we can always leave 5 percent chance of a total surprise, but they are no realistic winners.

The semi finals offered some surprises, as usual. Fan favourites such as Belgium and Czechia did not make it. Neither did Australia, Cyprus, Slovenia or Serbia, from my expected qualifiers. The all did okay to really great performances, so there is not much to analyze, besides it was one of the toughest qualification rounds ever and some had to go.

Maybe it was wishful thinking of me to think that Serbia would qualify, but I’m most stunned about Australia. Milkshake Man did well on stage, with his gigantic blender. Anyway, I predicted the Belgian fiasco for the second year in a row. Sorry, Belgians! Nothing personal… Of course I will miss Ireland, as expected, but basically all the essential entries made it safe and sound to the final.

Instead we get to see Iceland, Portugal, Latvia, Lithuania and Denmark, who also did okay shows, but really nothing spectacular. I don’t think that any of them has a shot on the upper half though.

The finalists

(In order of my expected outcome.)

1.Austria: JJ – Wasted Love
JJ is the huge favourite to take home the jury points – and the whole Eurovision trophy – by a landslide, just as Nemo last year. With his impressively clean operatic voice JJ kills this otherwise mid ballad. But there are questions about his ability to attract wider televote support. Austrian delegation promised some “never seen before” staging. We still don’t know what they meant. A rocking boat in black and white? Classy, but not incredible. The last minute’s techno beat is misplaced and takes away a bit of momentum. There is still a great risk that the Eurovision spectacle doesn’t leave the alps in 2026.
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2.Sweden: Kaj – Bara bada bastu
Over a night the Finnish Swedes went from largely unknown outside Österbotten to a viral phenomenon. Suddenly people were dancing and singing about saunas in Vörå dialect all over the world. Thus Kaj are big favorites to win the televotes. Their success will depend on how they are awarded by the juries. Although there is no reason to suspect that the juries will treat Kaj bad – they are skilled singers and performers – the experts are still expected to give a decent lead for Austria’s JJ. Can they take that back in televotes? Not likely, after all.
 (trending: neutral)

3.France, Louane – Maman
France is usual in my top ten, and this year seems to follow the trend, although it’s tough competition, especially among ballads. I wasn’t that impressed the first few times, but “Maman” has grown on me. Especially the bridge is captivating, while the chorus is a slight letdown. Some even suggest that Louane will have a shot at winning. With a dramatic staging, where she stands in a sandstorm, she can definitely end up in top five, but if it’s one thing we know for sure it’s that France has not won in 48 years…
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4.Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
Since it was chosen already in december it has been in my top two. The mix of modern electronic music and ethnic influences is soothing and innovative. It turned out to be a much better and more genuine choice than the favorite in Festivali i Këngës, Elvana Gjata and “Karnaval”. When we put the charismatic Beatriçe Gjergji together with the cooler Kolë Lacaon on the bigger Eurovision stage the performance seems to elevate further, in bright red lighting.
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5.Finland: Erika Vikman – Ich komme
The Finnish icon Erika manifests female power and… orgasm. Thus completing the unholy trinity of Australia, Malta and Finland from the second semi final, pushing the “family show” to its limits. Erika was among the winner favourites until Kaj came and took the limelight. But as yet another strong vocalist and with a passionate scene presence, she will easily make a lot of televotes.
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6.Switzerland, Zoë Më – Voyage
“Voyage” is maybe the song that has grown the most om me during this season. It has a soft, soothing sound that reminds of Victoria’s “Tears Getting Sober” (Bulgaria 2020). It should have a clear shot at top 10 if the stars are aligning, the performance is right and the juries do their proper job. But as I said, it takes some time, and time is one thing you don’t have in Eurovision.
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7.Netherlands: Claude – C’est La Vie
Netherlands is mentioned as one of the favorites and that puzzles me a bit. Claude is a great talent, but the song is at least 25 years late, “lalala”-schlager at its most dispensable point. The semi final did not help to convince me. Nothing spectacular going on there. But top ten is still within reach.
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8.Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – Gaja
To return to Eurovision after 30(!) years (Justyna represented Poland with the dreamy “Sama” in 1995) is an achievement in itself. Justyna however is as relevant and fresh as ever as an artist. She is also easily one of the most energetic and spectacular performers and flawless singers. The only downside is that she had an even better option last year with “Witcher tarohoro”, which lost with just two jury points to Luna then. “Gaja” is somewhat weaker, basically it lacks a real chorus – it’s just a long scream, but it’s still original and will no doubt attract attention.
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9.Greece: Klavdia – Asteromáta
My personal number one since Klavdia won Ethnikós Telikós. It has everything a classic Eurovision entry should have: amazing vocals, beautiful melody, sharp emotions, touching lyrics in own language and strong ethnic vibes. The staging is majestic, with some similarities to Serbia and Ukraine last year, but Klavdia’s dress is a bit dark and stiff. The chorus gives me goosebumps every time.
 (trending: neutral)

10.Israel: Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise
Israel goes for the same concept as last year: a young, innocent girl singing a beautiful, emotional ballad, implied – but never mentioned – about the victims of the October 7 terror attacks in 2023. Politics aside, this is as powerful and touching as “Hurricane” and will do almost as good with televotes. The switch to Hebrew gives me goosebumps. Youval probably has the strongest female voice this year, together with Klavdia from Greece.
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11.Italy, Lucio Corsi – Volevo Essere Un Duro
Lucio came second in Sanremo, but the winner Olly turned down the offer to represent Italy in Eurovision. As always it’s a quality entry from Italy anyway. This soft rock and Lucio’s theatrical performance will secure another decent score, especially with the juries, although it’s a bit anonymous and has not found a way forward in the charts or odds.
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12.Germany, Abor & Tynna – Baller
The German jury (with Germany’s own Christer Björkman, Stefan Raab, in front) paved the way for Abor & Tynna by eliminating the two biggest threats in the final, Feuerschwanz and Cosby, before the public even had a say. A strange way to handle things, but the result was probably the best outcome. “Baller” stands out as a cool electronic pop/dance track with a catchy chorus. The siblings are charming, but we still need to see a performance when everything falls into place, especially when it comes to Tynna’s vocals. The staging is impressive and cool though.
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13.Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
One of the most talked about participants is no doubt Tommy Cash. He is a widely popular rapper and figure in Estonia, and also friends with two Eurovision icons of lately: Käärijä and Joost Klein. Although there were many great alternatives in Eesti Laul, Tommy’s victory was safe in the same moment as he signed up. The song is a catchy piece, with lyrics that many interpret as mocking Italian language and culture. Tommy is not a great singer, but a great entertainer and dancer. You either love it or shrug, but he will of course get more public than jury votes.
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14.Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray
With a piece of 70s progressive rock (impressively compressed into three minutes) in the vein of Yes or ELO, the Ukrainians are taking a bold step for Eurovision. A great diaspora and some pity votes will of course help, but “Bird of pray” has enough qualities of its own to fly. They should have kept their costumes from Vidbir though.
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15.Malta: Miriana Conte – Serving
Along with Estonia’s Tommy Cash Malta has the most spoken of entry this season. The original title “Kant” (“singing” in Maltese) sounded too alike “cunt” to pass the EBU censorship. Of course an intentional play with words to get attention. Mission accomplished… Still narrow minded of the EBU to grab the bait. Aside from that a song that is mere average pop, but the performance is much upgraded from Malta Eurovision Song Contest, to be even more vulgar. Miriana has her loud advocates, but just as many haters. I settle somewhere in between.
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16.Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
Neither Wig Wam’s 20th nor Bobbysocks’ 40th anniversary were honored with a return to Eurovision. Instead Norway chose to look ahead with the young talent Kyle Alessandro and his slick, well produced pop gem “Lighter”. I cannot blame them. I like the Alexander Rybak-esque violin sounds and, obviously, all the fire.
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17.San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L’Italia
As usual San Marino doesn’t hesitate to search in lost and found for their entries. Not even an interval act from Italy’s Sanremo goes safe. But Gabry Ponte is a well established DJ (remember Eiffel 65 and their 00s hit “Blue”!) and the song is a catchy banger. Should be enough to qualify. Notably the second entry in this final that is about Italy, that is not representing Italy.
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18.Luxembourg: Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son
One of the most original songs and performances this year. A nice nod to Luxembourg’s classical winner “Poupée de cire, poupée de son” from 1965, 60 years later, but with a modern, classy bubblegum touch, and a spellbinding performance by the charming Laura Thorn. I’m really happy it paied off with a ticket to the final, but I fear that this is as far as it gets, with a bit shaky vocals here and there.
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19.United Kingdom, Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened?
I almost feel sorry for UK, who think they at least tried the last two years with Olly Alexander and now Remember Monday. This is a happy-go-lucky tune with nice vocal harmonies, but it has not breached through the buzz during the pre-season. Maybe the juries will like it?
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20.Denmark: Sissal – Hallucination
Charming Sissal does her best with this standard pop/dance song, that would probably had struggled to reach the final in Melodifestivalen. Besides from a strong voice and some vibes of “Euphoria” there is not much to write home about. It was enough to reach the final, bur here it will be tougher.
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21.Latvia: Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi
There were really no better options in Supernova since Greta and her “Monster” withdrew. Tautumeitas chorus song is an odd piece in Eurovision. Beautiful voices, and nice artistic dance, but a bit repetitive after a while and nothing you really go back and listen to again. Who voted this to the final?
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22.Lithuania: Katarsis – Tavo Akys
As an echo from Dinosaur Jr. in the 90s, the young Katarsis take on the difficult task to bring introvert, alternative rock into Eurovision. A strong take, but narrow scope of potential interest. A bit repetitive in the end, when Lukas Radzevičius just screams “tavo” over and over again. Surprised us all with a ticket to the final.
 (trending: neutral)

23.Armenia: Parg – Survivor
Parg survived the attack from fan favourite Athena Manoukian and her messy “Daqueenation” in Depi Evratesil. “Survivor” is a powerful (Swedish written) pop anthem and Parg has got so much energy that he needs a treadmill on stage, but the last little something is not really there and Norway’s Kyle Alessandro will probably win the battle between these two flammable male bops.
 (trending: neutral)

24.Iceland: VÆB – Róa
All who remember Jedward from Eurovision 2011-2012 will recognize the bouncy energy that only a couple of siblings can accumulate. The semi final performance didn’t add anything spectacular though. Foil suits and sunglasses are still the thing. The song is more annoying than captivating and I’m really surprised it qualified before Cyprus and Belgium.
(trending: neutral)

25.Spain, Melody – Esa Diva
Spain never cares about any trends or fan wishes. They send what they feel like and this time it was a traditional schlager. The energetic Melody is doing her best to make the most of it, so much that it becomes uncomfortably intense and overplayed. And unfortunately to no avail; “Esa Diva” will struggle to avoid bottom five.
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26.Portugal: Napa – Deslocado
Portugal had the opportunity to surprise us all with Henka’s heavy rock anthem “I Wanna Destroy You” or at least send a decent ballad with Josh, “Tristeza”, but the juries wanted to play it snooze and send this unbearably boring Madeiran copy of 00:s indie pop. How it made it to the final is the biggest question from the semi finals.
 (trending: neutral)

Serving Kant – all entries in Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Remember the fallen – those who didn’t make it to Eurovision