Who won Eurovision 2022, where did Great Britain come from and what was the song of Ukraine?
Sam Ryder plays Space Man in the grand finale of Eurovision 2022
Eurovision felt different this year in the shadow of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and there was a surge of love for the embattled country from other competing nations.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra were the bookmakers’ favorites to win by a wide margin, and Britain’s Sam Ryder is also expected to finish in the top four.
Despite the difficulties in Europe, the competition remained a highly sequined and feathered affair and represented a coming together of the continent in friendly competition.
Who won Eurovision 2022?
As expected, Ukraine was the winner of the night after claiming a big win in the audience vote.
After counting the judges’ scores, Great Britain topped the scoreboard with 283 points, followed by Sweden and Spain in second and third place.
However, in a huge show of support from Europe and Australia, Ukraine picked up 439 points, giving them 631 points overall, enough to secure a comfortable lead of more than 150 points by the end of the evening.
The Kalush Orchestra performed Stefania, a song about one of the band member’s mothers.
One of the lyrics, which translates to “I’ll always find my way home, even if all the roads are destroyed,” took on new meaning in the wake of the Russian invasion.
This is the third time Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest since joining in 2003 – the country first won in 2004 when Ruslana’s performed Wild Dances, and her next victory came in 2016 when Jamala sang in 1944.
Where did Britain place in Eurovision 2022?
After leading the rankings after the judges’ vote, the UK was overtaken by several countries during the reading of the public vote, dropping to fifth place before the public vote for the UK was read.
However, after 183 points in the public vote, it was enough to push the United Kingdom back to second place, just seven points ahead of Spain.
Sam Ryder played Space Man, about an astronaut who travels into space, and brought Britain its most successful Eurovision in decades, burying the pain of last year’s zero points.
Has Britain Ever Won Eurovision?
Yes, the UK has won the Eurovision Song Contest five times, although it has been a quarter of a century since the UK last won the competition.
The first British win came in 1967 with Sandie Shaw’s performance of Puppet on a String, followed two years later by Lulu with Boom Bang-a-Bang.
Britain’s third Eurovision win was in 1976 with Brotherhood of Man performing Save Your Kisses for Me and in 1981 Books Fizz won with Making Your Mind Up.
The last time Britain won the competition was in 1997 when Katrina and the Waves performed Love Shine a Light.
Interestingly, Britain have finished last as many times as they have won, most recently in 2021 when James Newman performed Embers and received no points.
Where is Eurovision taking place next year?
Eurovision is always held in the country that won the previous year – this year the show was staged in Turin after Maneskin won for Italy in 2021.
That means next year’s competition should be held in Ukraine, but with the Russian invasion still ongoing and fighting going on daily in the country, it’s unclear if it’s safe or viable for Ukraine to host.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Facebook post: “Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe!”
“Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision! For the third time in its history. And I think – not for the last time.”
He further pledged that the Eurovision Song Contest would be held “one day” in Ukraine’s Mariupol, a city almost completely captured by the Russians.
https://www.nationalworld.com/culture/television/eurovision-2022-won-song-contest-uks-sam-ryder-place-where-held-next-year-3694464 Who won Eurovision 2022, where did Great Britain come from and what was the song of Ukraine?
