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As it happenedended

Eurovision 2021: 6 biggest talking points, from Italy’s triumph to the UK receiving nul points

Rotterdam hosted Eurovision Song Contest in front of a live audience

Roisin O'Connor,Annabel Nugent
Sunday 23 May 2021 00:20 BST
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Italy win the Eurovision Song Contest 2021

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Italy triumphed in a spectacular and nail-biting Eurovision ceremony, emerging as the winners at a live event held in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The country’s 2021 entry, rock band Måneskin, achieved high scores from the jury with their performance of “Zitti e buono” but were initially left trailing behind Switzerland and France.

However, the public vote won the day, as they soared to the top of the board. Meanwhile the UK’s entry, James Newman, languished at the bottom with a devastating nul points.

Måneskin edged out other crowd favourites including Lithuania’s The Roop, Switzerland’s Gjon’s Tears, France’s Barbara Pravi and Ukranian delegation Go_A.

With the exception of Iceland, all acts performed live to an audience of 3,500 people at the Ahoy arena.

Here are the biggest talking points from the ceremony:

– Lithuania winning everyone over with “Discotheque”

Netherlands Eurovision Song Contest Dress Rehearsal
Netherlands Eurovision Song Contest Dress Rehearsal (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Iceland were forced to pull out of their live performance after a bandmember tested positive for coronavirus. However, they remained one of the ones to watch at this year’s competition thanks to their catchy song and signature dance moves. But Lithuania drew favourable comparisons to this year’s Eurovision favourite with their own upbeat and quirky track, “Discotheque”, for which The Roop appeared in yellow outfits and performed a dazzling dance routine.

– The UK receiving nul points, again

(AP)

Blame it on politics all you like, the UK’s entry just wasn’t up to scratch compared to the colourful, energetic performances from Italy, Switzerland and so many other countries competing this year. Bless James Newman for trying, though. It was clear from the roars of dismay in the Ahoy arena – as the presenters announced that both the public and the juries had awarded the UK nul points – that they felt it was too harsh. At least that’s something to soften such an embarrassment.

– An emotional opening ceremony

(Getty Images)

Eurovision is always a visually spectacular, joyous occasion. But tonight was particularly emotional for obvious reasons, as thousands of fans were able to gather in the Ahoy! Arena to watch the live ceremony. It seemed to motivate each country’s delegate to push themselves that bit harder and make that much more of an effort at an event where “over the top” is not in the vocabulary.

– Germany’s bizarre performance

(Getty Images)

In true Eurovision fashion, the TV event turned up some spectacularly strange performances but Germany’s entry without a doubt tops the list. The country’s representative, Jendrik, performed an upbeat number titled “I Don’t Feel Hate”. All eyes, however, were on his back-up singers and dancers – more specifically, the one dressed as a giant styrofoam hand. Viewers on Twitter described the scenes as “literally a horror film” as well as “a bizarre episode of Art Attack”. No doubt it’s the dancing hand that people will remember as the mascot of Eurovision 2021.

Finland’s heavy metal

(REUTERS)

Finland’s Blind Channel stunned viewers with their performance of “Dark Side”. They say heavy metal is an acquired taste but the rock song – which harks back to the noughties era of Limp Bizkit – managed to win over both the arena crowd and viewers at home. Admittedly, much of the song’s appeal came from the comically aggressive change in tone that occurred when the leather outfitted, tattooed and black eyeliner-wearing Blind Channel followed straight after Germany’s uber happy fever-dream of a performance.

Flo Rida supporting San Marino

Flo Rida
Flo Rida (Getty Images for Gabrielle's Ang)

Graham Norton said it best when he said: “That is Flo Rida, the multi-billion selling rapper… I don’t know why he’s here.” Reasons aside, the “Low” musician made a welcome, though unexpected, appearance at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The US rapper lent some star power to San Marino’s act, performing alongside singer Senhit on the track “Adrenalina”. Many users praised the international celebrity for his participation in the European competition. “Still not over the fact that a country smaller than Plymouth has come to Eurovision with Flo Rida,” wrote one user on Twitter. Although listeners weren’t too impressed with the song’s lyrics, which included: “I can’t blame it on the stove.” Yes, seriously.

The liveblog is now closed

Check out the odds on tonight’s winner

Who will win the Eurovision Song Contest 2021?

Who is going to win Eurovision tonight?

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 18:29

A fun email just landed in my inbox from coffee retailer CoffeeFriend, who spoke with former UK representative Andy Abraham.

Andy says:“James Newman's UK entry is one of the strongest in years... it would be criminal if it finished bottom

“I am incredibly impressed with ‘Embers’. For me, it's one of the UK's strongest efforts in years. It is one of those dance tunes that has elements of Duke Dumont and Disclosure.

“For me, out of all the dance songs in this year's line up, it has the best live element and I can see it transferring so well to the stage. It's such a shame for James there won't be a packed out arena to react to the song live, because it would have got the place bouncing. Speaking from experience, the crowd makes a huge difference, they feed off the songs and take your performance to the next level.”

I don’t know if I’m inclined to side with Andy but I admire his optimism!

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 18:37

We’re so excited for the final – and so is Senhit! She’s representing San Marino at this year’s contest, and will be joined by none other than international rap superstar, Flo Rida!

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 18:41

How Abba’s douze-points energy at Eurovision started a pop revolution

The winner takes it all: how Abba’s douze-points energy at Eurovision started a pop revolution

Songwriting genius and satin came together to wow Europe with ‘Waterloo’. Mark Beaumont traces the road from Sweden to superstardom for Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 18:42

Make sure you check out my chat with Maneskin ahead of what is bound to be a sizzling performance for Italy tonight!

Meet Maneskin – the Eurovision 2021 favourites representing Italy

Rock band have caught people’s attention with their song ‘Zitti e buoni’

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 19:00

Here’s a very interesting theory on why the UK tends to do so badly each year from Mr Kit Lovelace

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 19:15

Same tbh

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 19:18

The biggest question of the night...

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 19:21

If you’ve ever wondered how the voting process at Eurovision works... wonder no more!

How does the Eurovision voting system work?

How does the Eurovision voting system work?

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 19:41

Here’s the official running order for tonight. Not long to go!

Roisin O'Connor22 May 2021 19:51

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