RECAP Eurovision 2023 Grand Final: updates, pictures, voting and results from Liverpool

Twenty-six countries performed as they competed to win Eurovision’s iconic glass microphone trophy and be crowned champions.
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Tens of thousands of Eurovision Song Contest fans have been descending on host city Liverpool all week and the party culminated on Saturday night with the Grand Final at the M&S Bank Arena.

We saw some eye-catching performances in a pair of semi-finals at the dockside venue, with bookies’ favourite Loreen cruising through on Tuesday for Sweden with her song Tattoo. Finnish track Cha Cha Cha also proved to be a real hit with the fans.

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The remaining places in the final were decided on Thursday night when synth-rock band Voyager closed the show with a memorable performance for Australia that included electric guitars, plenty of long hair, pyrotechnics and a car on stage.

The twenty acts that made it through from the two semi-finals were joined in Saturday’s final by Ukraine, who qualified as last year’s winners, plus France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the UK.

Hosts Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina were joined by Graham Norton for the final.

Pre-song contest favourites Sweden took an early lead after the jury vote but Finland won the public vote by a huge margin, taking over 300 points to make for a tense finale. But in the end Loreen reclaimed top spot with the final result of the evening.

We reported on all the action live from Liverpool. You can see how it all transpired below.

Eurovision 2023 Grand Final - live

🇦🇹 Austria | Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?

What a song to open the show. This is a fan favourite.... even though it’s about being possessed by horror writer Edgar Allan Poe. A rocky electro track, it will certainly stick in your head and as it says the word ‘Poe’ more than 150 times you can sing along.

With one dressed in all black and one in all white, Teya & Salena have certainly made an impression but will it last until the voting.

🇵🇹 Portugal | Mimicat - Ai Coração

Mimicat was the clear winner of Portugal’s selection vote. The sassy singer is wearing a whole load of red feathers. The song builds in tempo and has a bit of an old-school traditional vibe with an acoustic guitar and castanets.

Mimicat for Portugal.Mimicat for Portugal.
Mimicat for Portugal.

Surprise royal appearance

Kate Middleton has made a surprise appearance during the Eurovision Song Contest. The Princess of Wales surprised fans during Kalush Orchestra’s opening number of the grand final. More here.

Kate Middleton made a special appearance in the Eurovision grand final opening numberKate Middleton made a special appearance in the Eurovision grand final opening number
Kate Middleton made a special appearance in the Eurovision grand final opening number

🇨🇭 Switzerland | Remo Forrer - Watergun

Remo, 21, spent his childhood playing traditional folk music on the accordion in his little Swiss village of Hemberg. He switched to piano and won The Voice of Switzerland in 2020. He’s very contemporary now though.... I feel like I know the song even though I don’t. A stron contender.

Remo Forrer representing Switzerland.Remo Forrer representing Switzerland.
Remo Forrer representing Switzerland.

🇵🇱 Poland | Blanka - Solo

Blanka used to sing on open mics in the USA and has brought a summertime ditty to Liverpool for Eurovision. There’s a drum-beat breakdown and dance mid-song. A foot-tapper but there is no real wow factor.

However, in the fan park: “The crowd LOVES Poland.”

Blanka of Poland performs “Solo” during the Eurovision Song Contest. Image: Dominic Lipinski/Getty ImagesBlanka of Poland performs “Solo” during the Eurovision Song Contest. Image: Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images
Blanka of Poland performs “Solo” during the Eurovision Song Contest. Image: Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images

🇷🇸 Serbia | Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava

Luke’s brand of indie-techno-pop has won him the title of the ‘Serbian pop alchemist’ in the eyes of his domestic media, and internationally he’s proving to be one of his country’s most sought after exports. Sound like Nine Inch Nails Lite to me but I’m enjoying it - especially the dancers who have been taken over and controlled by technology.

Luke Black, representative for Serbia, performs during the first dress rehearsal for Semi Final 1 of the Eurovision Song Contest.Luke Black, representative for Serbia, performs during the first dress rehearsal for Semi Final 1 of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Luke Black, representative for Serbia, performs during the first dress rehearsal for Semi Final 1 of the Eurovision Song Contest.

🇫🇷 France: La Zarra - Évidemment

A self-taught musician, La Zarra channels the style of Audrey Hepburn and with a sprinkling of Lady Gaga she is described as ‘a timeless Parisian disco queen’... and she’s about 10ft tall, unless there is a podium hidden under her sparkly dress.

A big finish and the crowd really love it. It’s the first time we have heard it live as they didn’t need to go through the semis. It gets the best reaction so far in the fan park.

 La Zarra, representative for France. Image: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images La Zarra, representative for France. Image: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
La Zarra, representative for France. Image: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images

As we head into the final, the bookies have marked out a clear frontrunner in this year’s contest. Loreen, who is representing Sweden with her song “Tattoo”, is the bookies’ favourite for 2023.

But following the second semi-final on Thursday (May 11), Belgium’s Gustaph has flown up the ranks with his catchy dance song Because Of You. Sadly, those who are hoping that UK’s entry Mae Muller will replicate Sam Ryder’s success in 2022 may come away disappointed. More here.

🇨🇾 Cyprus | Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart

A bit of classic Eurovision type song from Cyprus with a touch of Imagine Dragons Believer thrown in. He’s barefoot and is dressed in a black vest and trousers. There’s lots of fire and pyrotechnics for the finale. I reckon this one will do well.

🇪🇸 Spain: Blanca Paloma - Eaea

Eaea is a song rich in flamenco-inspired sounds and syncopated beats, which is in keeping with Blanca’s trademark style of mixing the traditional with the avant-garde and modern pop. Another haunting cracker of a song and she has a very strong voice.

Singer Blanca Paloma, performing on behalf of Spain. Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty ImagesSinger Blanca Paloma, performing on behalf of Spain. Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Singer Blanca Paloma, performing on behalf of Spain. Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
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