RECAP Eurovision 2023 Grand Final: updates, pictures, voting and results from Liverpool
and live on Freeview channel 276
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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Hide AdThe 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
Key Events
A reminder of the acts and the Liverpool Song Book
There is a ‘Liverpool Song Book’ medley going on in the arena at the moment - performed by past Eurovision stars.
It’s a bit... erm... hit an miss so far.
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) covered by Neta from Israel is a hit.
The voting is still open though, here is a reminder of all the acts.
- 🇦🇹 Austria | Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?
- 🇵🇹 Portugal | Mimicat - Ai Coração
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Remo Forrer - Watergun
- 🇵🇱 Poland | Blanka - Solo
- 🇷🇸 Serbia | Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava
- 🇫🇷 France: La Zarra - Évidemment
- 🇨🇾 Cyprus | Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart
- 🇪🇸 Spain: Blanca Paloma - Eaea
- 🇸🇪 Sweden | Loreen - Tattoo
- 🇦🇱 Albania | Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje
- 🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite
- 🇪🇪 Estonia | Alika - Bridges
- 🇫🇮 Finland | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha
- 🇨🇿 Czechia | Vesna - My Sister’s Crown
- 🇦🇺 Australia | Voyager - Promise
- 🇧🇪 Belgium | Gustaph - Because Of You
- 🇦🇲 Armenia | Brunette - Future Lover
- 🇲🇩 Moldova | Pasha Parfeni - Soarele şi Luna
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine: TVORCHI - Heart of Steel
- 🇳🇴 Norway | Alessandra - Queen of Kings
- 🇩🇪 Germany: Lord of the Lost - Blood & Glitter
- 🇱🇹 Lithuania | Monika Linkytė - Stay
- 🇮🇱 Israel | Noa Kirel - Unicorn
- 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Joker Out - Carpe Diem
- 🇭🇷 Croatia | Let 3 - Mama ŠČ!
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote A Song
Marin Lewis goes all Eurovision
Martin Lewis delighted fans after swapping his usual dapper suits for a more colourful ensemble in honour of Eurovision 2023. Showing off his shiny look for the international contest, the Money Saving Expert founder wrote: “There are rumours eurovision is on tonight.” Martin, 51, was rocking a rainbow-patterned waitcoast with white checkered trousers. More here.
The votes are beginning
Ukraine give Sweden the first 12 of the night
Italy give top marks Israel.
Latvia give 12 points to Estonia.
Netherlands give top marks Sweden.
So Loreen is the early leader at the top of the table.
A quick look at the top three
Favourite Sweden have taken and early lead. The UK has 6 points.
🇸🇪 Sweden | Loreen - Tattoo | 92
🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite | 55
🇮🇱 Israel | Noa Kirel - Unicorn | 46
Queen legend joins Eurovision
Eurovision fans were delighted to spot Queen’s own Roger Taylor during the guest act segment of the grand final tonight. The rock legend joined Sam Ryder who took to the stage at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena to perform his new single Mountain while the votes were counted. More here.
Voting update...
The top three as it stands are....
🇸🇪 Sweden | Loreen - Tattoo | 194
🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite | 109
🇮🇱 Israel | Noa Kirel - Unicorn | 108
Vote update...
With seven juries still to go the top four are pulling away and look like this....
🇸🇪 Sweden | Loreen - Tattoo | 277
🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite | 148
🇮🇱 Israel | Noa Kirel - Unicorn | 142
🇫🇮 Finland | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha | 141
And for the UK….
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote A Song | 15
The jury votes are complete
This is how things stand after the jury section of the votes. Sweden is pulling clear but it could all still change with the public vote, especially as the crowd keep chanting Cha Cha Cha in every break.
🇸🇪 Sweden | Loreen - Tattoo | 340
🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite | 176
🇮🇱 Israel | Noa Kirel - Unicorn | 177
🇫🇮 Finland | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha | 150
And for the UK….
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote A Song | 15
The final votes are in…
… and the winner is SWEDEN
The Swedes were given a big scare by Finland who were given over 300 points by the public vote, but Loreen held on to take first place.
🇸🇪 Sweden | Loreen - Tattoo | 583
🇫🇮 Finland | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha | 526
🇮🇱 Israel | Noa Kirel - Unicorn | 362
🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite | 350
And for the UK….
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote A Song | 24
Thank you and goodnight
What a Song Contest it was in Liverpool. The city will have a hangover on Sunday.
It’s has been brilliant to hear people from all over the world tell us how great Liverpool and it’s people are.
And there was a dramatic finale too.
Pre-tournament favourites Sweden took an early lead after the jury vote but Finland won the public vote by a huge margin, taking over 300 points. But in the end Loreen reclaimed top spot with the final result of the evening.
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