UKRAINE HAVE BEEN confirmed as winners of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest at Turin’s Pala Alpitour arena.
The country leapt to the top of the leaderboard as the viewer votes were announced.
Their entry, Stefania by the Kalush Orchestra, had lagged behind the UK, Sweden and Spain after the jury votes were awarded earlier in the night.
However as the televotes from across Europe (and Australia) were read out it soon became apparent that the folk-rap act – who had long been installed as odds-on favourites – would likely emerge victorious.
Eurovision voting is split 50:50 between the national juries – who cast their votes last night following the second dress rehearsal – and viewers, who had their say after the final performance of the Grand Final.
In the usual course of events, whoever wins the Eurovision also wins the right to stage the contest the following year.
In a statement congratulating the winners the song contest’s EBU supervisor Martin Österdahl said the public broadcasting organisation would now begin planning for next year’s contest with Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC.
“Obviously, there are unique challenges involved in hosting next year’s competition,” he added.
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“However, as in any other year, we look forward to discussing all the requirements and responsibilities involved in hosting the competition with UA:PBC and all other stakeholders to ensure we have the most suitable setup for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.”
More to follow…
