Eurovision final – as it happened: Ukraine wins with Kalush Orchestra’s song Stefania

Ukraine hip-hop group triumphs, while singer-songwriter Sam Ryder does the UK proud

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra performs Stefania at 2022 Eurovision Song Contest

The Eurovision 2022 final proved to be one of the liveliest and most competitive in recent memory.

While the atmosphere was still good-humoured, the sheer quality of the 25 countries competing this year presented voters with some tough decisions.

Ultimately, though, favourites Ukraine and their entry Kalush Orchestra were crowned the winners, leaving many to wonder if the country will be able to host the contest in 2023.

Sam Ryder, a singer-songwriter who rose to fame on TikTok, performed original song “Space Man” and – despite previous dismal efforts from the UK – won over much of the audience, and the jury too, to come second place.

“It’s been phenomenal,” he told The Independent of the support he’s received. “The whole team have been working so hard going around Europe, using as much time as we could to do TV, radio, singing on street corners… Everywhere we’ve been, there’s been nothing but kindness and good vibes.”

A trio of famous presenters led proceedings for the evening, with pop singer Mika joining fellow hosts Italian TV personality Alessandro Cattelan and Italian singer Laura Pausini on stage.

The liveblog is now closed.

Eurovision 2022 key points

• Everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest
• The UK’s painful Eurovision history – in numbers
• Why is Russia banned from Eurovision 2022?
• UK’s Sam Ryder praised for rousing performance of Space Man
• Ukraine gives douze points to UK’s Sam Ryder as results come in

[14 May 2022 19:16 · Roisin O'Connor]

They didn’t do so well in the fake scoreboard that gets announced after the final rehearsals, but Italian contestants Mahmood and Blanco are still favourites to win with their song “Brividi”.

As a confirmed Mahmood fan since his amazing performance in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest, I obviously wanted to catch up with him to hear about how he came to write this year’s song, and how he’s feeling about returning to represent Italy.

[14 May 2022 19:20 · Roisin O'Connor]

What’s the order for each country performing in the Eurovision final?

A reminder that the running order for Eurovision is considered very important. Those performing earlier in the contest obviously have to worry about making a good enough impression that the judges and voting public remember them by the end of the show. Meanwhile, those who perform second to last or last have the opposite concern: that voters will already have made up their minds on who to vote for by the time their turn is up.

Here’s a look at the running order for this evening – it’s good news for the UK!

[14 May 2022 19:26 · Roisin O'Connor]

Another favourite this year is Norway’s bonkers contestant, Subwoolfer, and their song “Give That Wolf a Banana”. It reminds me a lot of “What Does the Fox Say”, the viral (and equally bonkers) 2013 song from Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis. Anyway, read all about Subwoolfer and the lyrics they’ll be singing during their lively (masked) performance, here:

[14 May 2022 19:31 · Roisin O'Connor]

What you need to know about pop star and Eurovision 2022 host Mika

A trio of famous presenters will be leading proceedings this evening, with pop singer Mika joining fellow hosts Italian TV personality Alessandro Cattelan and Italian singer Laura Pausini on stage.

Although Mika is not Italian, he is popular in the country after having appeared on the Italian version of The X Factor.

Speaking on The One Show, he said: “I have done television in Italy. I learnt to speak Italian just because I got this opportunity to go and do The X Factor in Italy.

“I learnt in a couple of months, luckily my Italian is better now, the ironic thing about this whole thing is that I’m gonna do Eurovision, the biggest TV show Italy has ever had to put on, and the whole thing is in English.”

Read more about him here:

[14 May 2022 19:36 · Roisin O'Connor]

The Rasmus are representing Finland for Eurovision 2022

Rock band The Rasmus are representing Finland in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Fans were delighted when the group behind 2003 hit “In the Shadows” returned with their song “Jezebel”, which frontman Lauri Ylönen describes as “an homage, a tribute, to the strong women of today, who own their bodies, who are in charge of their sensuality, their sexuality, and who are determined to be an equal”.

He co-wrote the track with Desmond Child, who has several high-profile rock songwriting credits to his name, including Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You”, Aerosmith’s “Angel”, Alice Cooper’s “Poison”, Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ la Vida Loca”, and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On a Prayer”.

We caught up with Lauri to see how he’s feeling ahead of tonight’s final:

[14 May 2022 19:41 · Roisin O'Connor]

It’s almost time for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest!

Pretty much everyone is set up in the press room now (it’s huge), and there’s some friendly competitive spirit in the air. And spirits, too. I, as you can see, have gone for the classy option. Less than 20 minutes to go!

(Independent)

[14 May 2022 19:48 · Roisin O'Connor]

I’m sitting opposite some very friendly journalists from Ukraine so I feel I should once again share this piece explaining who their country’s representatives are!

Here’s your guide to Kalush Orchestra:

[14 May 2022 19:56 · Roisin O'Connor]

Eurovision 2022 is about to begin!

Here’s your four-minute warning! I’m not going to tell you how much wine I’ve had.

[14 May 2022 20:03 · Roisin O'Connor]

And we’re off! Eurovision 2022 let’s goooooooo

Got to love a good singalong. And there are our hosts, pop singer Mika, Italian TV personality Alessandro Cattelan and Italian singer Laura Pausini!

This year’s opening performance is as spectacular as ever, with singer Pausini doing a gorgeous medley of her big hits.

[14 May 2022 20:05 · Roisin O'Connor]

Laura Pausini!

I’m obsessed, Laura is how I learnt Italian. But how is she changing so fast?!