Eurovision 2022, Ukraine wins (Mahmood and Blanco finish sixth)

Eurovision 2022 is everything for Ukraine. After passing the first semifinal, the Kalush Orchestra – with her iconic pink hat – is back on stage more aggressive than ever. And on the night of the final he brought her to the stage Stefaniaa mix of rap and folklore that works, dedicated to the mother of the frontman Oleh Psyuk and to all the mothers of the world. And in the end the Ukrainians won, first in the standings thanks to televoting from all over the world, followed by the United Kingdom and Spain.

A victory that is also a symbolic sign of closeness to the still besieged population. “Please help Mariupol,” they shouted at the end of the performance, invoking the help of the international community. Shortly before the start of the final she had also sent a message via Telegram on president Zelensky. «Europe, votes the Kalush Orchestra», he had made known while the Italian intelligence made it known of a «possible imminent attack» by pro-Russian hackers against Eurovision to prevent the victory of the Ukrainians. Eurovision it’s an apolitical event, but it’s great to see the Kalush Orchestra on the podium this year. For merit.

“Someone says we can win because of the war. but our song was in the top five favorites even before the conflict started, that means like it regardlessThey said during the first press conferences. No controversy, however, their goal is only one: “We hope that after our performance there will be even more attention to Ukrainian music and to the whole country”. Mission accomplished.

Kalush Orchestra in Turin, in reality, were not supposed to be there. Then due to the withdrawal of the first place winner, Alina Pash, due to some controversy related to Crimea, it was their turn. The name of the band comes from the town of Kaluš, at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, where it was born Oleh Psyuk, the frontman of the band. They are added to him six other members between bands and choirs, but certainly among the main figures there are Ihor Didenčuk and MC Kilimmen. “One of us,” they said, “stayed in Kiev to fight.” After Eurovision, they explain, no tour: “We will return home to give our contribution.”

The ranking of the final:

1. Ukraine Kalush Orchestra – Stefania 631
2. United Kingdom Sam Ryder – Space man 466
3. Spain Chanel – SloMo 459
4. Sweden Cornelia Jakobs – Hold he closer 438
5. Serbia Konstrakta – In a healthy body 312
6. Italy Mahmood & Blanco – Chills 268
7. Moldova Zdob si Zdub & Advahov Brothers – Trenuletul 253
8. Greece: Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord – Die together 215
9. Portugal Maro – Saudade, Saudade 207
10. Norway Subwoolfer – Give that wolf a banana 182
11. Netherlands S10 – De diepte 171
12. Poland Ochman – River 151
13. Estonia Stefan – Hope 141
14. Lithuania Monika Liu – I felt 128
15. Australia Sheldon Riley – Not the same 125
16. Azerbaijan Nadir Rustamli – Fade to black 106
17. Swiss Marius Bear – Boys do cry 78
18. Romania Wrs – Llámame 65
19. Belgium Jérémie Makiese – Miss you 64
20. Armenia Rosa Linn – Snap 61
21. Finland The Rasmus – Jezebel 38
22. Czech Republic We Are Domi – Lights Off 38
23. Iceland Systur – Með hækkandi sól 20
24. France Alvan & Ahez – Fulenn 17
25. Germany Malik Harris – Rockstars 6