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 16:32 · Roisin O'Connor]

When the late Terry Wogan retired from his 35-year stint as the voice of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008, many fans thought hope was lost for the UK.

But then Graham Norton emerged onto our screens, bringing his sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek comments. It felt like the perfect match. Any doubts that Norton couldn’t fill Wogan’s shoes quickly vanished in a puff of confetti.

This year, Norton will again be in the commentary booth for the BBC’s grand final coverage (14 May).

Meanwhile, Rylan Clark and Scott Mills have been holding down the fort presenting the semi-finals this week (10 and 12 May).

Norton is renowned for mocking the length of the four-hour final, and also for noticing when “someone dressed up” for the announcement of scores from each participating country. Hopefully he’ll be kinder to the UK’s 2022 entry, Sam Ryder.

Let’s remember some of Norton’s most fierce lines:

[14 May 2022 16:52 · Roisin O'Connor]

Meet Serbia’s unusual Eurovision entry

Serbia’s Eurovision 2022 song has bemused fans with a strange reference to Meghan Markle’s “deeply hydrated” hair.

Performed by Serbian singer Konstrakta, the song is entitled “Corpore Sano”, which is Latin for ‘In a healthy body’.

The song, which evokes the music of Kraftwerk, begins with the line: “What could be the secret of Meghan Markle’s healthy hair?”

Konstrakta continues to talk about the importance of hydration, and how under-eye circles are supposedly linked to liver distress. At the same time, she is seen washing her hands in a bowl surrounded by dancers with towels draped over their shoulders, mimicking the set-up of a beauty salon.

“The artist is supposed to be healthy,” goes the chorus of the song, which then crescendos into a gospel-like proclamation: “God grant us health!”

But Markle is not the sole subject of the song, as Konstrakta goes on to address topics including Serbia’s health system, politics and social norms. Read more about their lyrics here:

[14 May 2022 17:02 · Roisin O'Connor]

Following a brilliant performance in 2019 that landed him 2nd place, Italian artist Mahmood is returning to Eurovision – only this time, he’s brought a friend.

Crowned Sanremo champions in February, Mahmood (born Alessandro Mahmoud) and fellow rapper/singer Blanco (Riccardo Fabbriconi) are favourites to win this year’s song contest with their song “Brividi”.

The track, co-written with songwriter and producer Michelangelo – a frequent collaborator of Blanco – is a poignant ballad that incoroprates surrealist imagery into the story of a difficult relationship (read the Italian and translated English lyrics here).

We spoke with the duo ahead of their performance at the grand final on Saturday 14 May.

[14 May 2022 17:22 · Roisin O'Connor]

Eurovision 2022 final running order

If you know much about Eurovision, you’ll probably know that the running order of the final performances is considered vitally important for each country’s success. Fortunately for the UK, our contestant Sam Ryder is taking part in the second half of the contest, which means (hopefully) his rendition of “Space Man” will be fresh in the minds of both the judges and the voting public.

Here’s the full running order for tonight’s performances:

[14 May 2022 17:46 · Roisin O'Connor]

How to watch the Eurovision final tonight

Here’s a reminder if you’re wondering how to tune into the Eurovision Song Contest tonight:

[14 May 2022 18:05 · Roisin O'Connor]

Every winning Eurovision song ranked worst to best

While he sadly no longer works with The Independent (greener pastures bla bla), the brilliant Ben Kelly, my fellow Eurovision fan, undertook the mammoth task of ranking every single Eurovision winner from worst to best.

Take a look and see if you agree!

[14 May 2022 18:24 · Roisin O'Connor]

Who are the favourites to win this year?

The UK is currently riding high as one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Sam Ryder has charmed the international delegates – and their journalists, it seems – thanks to his song “Space Man” and his charming personality. He’s really giving it his all, and people are taking notice.

Anyway, take a look at where Sam is on the latest Eurovision odds, along with the rest of the 20 finalists competing in tonight’s final.

[14 May 2022 18:47 · Roisin O'Connor]

Italy’s Eurovision 2021 champions Maneskin are ready for their performance on new single “Super Model” tonight!

[14 May 2022 19:04 · Roisin O'Connor]

So here in Turin, the atmosphere has been... interesting? During the semi-finals the city felt virtually deserted, because everyone was over in the park watching live performances, and then at the theatre where rehearsals took place. Last night and today, though, there was definitely a buzzier atmosphere, and now the city seems to be leaning into the Eurovision Song Contest. What’s wonderful is everyone – delegates from Ukraine, Italy, Sweden, Germany, France – keeps telling me they think the UK is in with a shot this year with Sam Ryder. I think so too! It feels like we’re finally taking this contest seriously, as so many countries have been doing for years.

You can read more about Sam here:

[14 May 2022 19:11 · Roisin O'Connor]

Could Serbia take the Eurovision crown this year?

A lot of people have been buzzing about Serbia’s entry, Konstrakta, and for good reason. She’s veered very much into the performance art style of Eurovision performance with her song “Corpore Sano” (Latin for “a healthy body”), which has her sitting in front of a wash basin getting towels handed to her by mysterious figures.

Here’s a recap of what those peculiar lyrics actually mean: