In a nail-biting finish, JJ's "Wasted Love" pushes Austria to victory at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, leaving the UK in 19th place amidst ongoing controversy.
**Austria Claims Eurovision 2025 Victory as UK Faces Another Disappointing Finish**
**Austria Claims Eurovision 2025 Victory as UK Faces Another Disappointing Finish**
Austrian counter-tenor JJ triumphs with his emotional ballad in a gripping finale, while the UK lands in 19th place.
Austrian singer JJ has emerged victorious at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 held in Basel, Switzerland, clinching the title with his heartfelt song "Wasted Love." The 24-year-old counter-tenor, who performs at the Vienna State Opera, surged ahead in the final moments of voting, accumulating a total of 436 points. He thanked fans upon receiving the iconic glass microphone trophy, stating, "Love is the strongest force in the world, let's spread more love." Following Austria were Israel and Estonia, with scores of 357 and 356 respectively, while the UK, represented by the girl group Remember Monday, finished in 19th place with just 88 points.
JJ's victory marks Austria's third win in Eurovision history, previously secured by Udo Jürgens in 1966 and Conchita Wurst in 2014. Inspired by Conchita, JJ had initially garnered considerable attention among fans and critics alike, despite facing stiff competition from Sweden's KAJ, whose lighthearted tribute to sauna culture, "Bara Bada Bastu," settled for fourth place.
In a somewhat contentious event, Israel's participation was marred by protests against its military actions, with activists urging for the country's removal from the competition. During the performance by Israel's Yuval Raphael, who poignantly recalled her experiences as a survivor of the recent Hamas attacks, two protestors attempted to disrupt the show but were swiftly removed without injuries reported.
As always, Eurovision provided a spectacle of flamboyance and creativity, with acts addressing various contemporary issues from economic migration to environmental challenges. Noteworthy performances included Portugal's Napa and Latvia's Tautumeitas, who both garnered attention with messages related to pressing global concerns.
In stark contrast, the UK faced yet another underwhelming result in the international event. The group Remember Monday, who showcased their talent through innovative pop arrangements, failed to resonate with voters, earning zero points from the public for the second consecutive year. Despite their humorous approach to the reveal of their scores, their performance fell short of expectations, paralleling a broader pattern of disappointment for the UK in Eurovision history.
As the event concluded with joy for Austria and challenges for others, one thing remained clear: the Eurovision Song Contest continues to be a platform for diverse voices and important narratives amidst global discussions on love, unity, and the pressing issues of our time.
