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

[15 May 2022 00:04 · Roisin O'Connor]

Ukraine wins the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

And it’s Ukraine! In one of the tensest finals in a long time, and with the UK so close to first place, the public vote swung it and Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra have triumphed with their song “Stefania”.

[15 May 2022 00:14 · Roisin O'Connor]

What a final...

I’m wrapping up the liveblog now as there’s more copy to file and a press conference to attend! Thanks everyone so much for following all our Eurovision coverage this year – it’s been one hell of a ride.