As of: May 12, 2024 4:28 a.m
Nemo from Switzerland wins the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö with “The Code”. The German candidate Isaak lands in 12th place with “Always On The Run”.
For the Croatian Baby Lasagna, who has long been considered the favorite, and his song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” it is only enough for second place. The Ukrainians Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil made it to third place with “Teresa & Maria”.
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place under the motto “United by Music”. Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman hosted the show. In addition to last year’s winner Loreen, the interval acts included former winners Charlotte Perrelli, Carola and Conchita with an Abba medley on the final stage in Malmö – heralded by an AI-generated version of the Swedish ESC winners from 1974. There was also a Reunion with the Swedish pop group Alcazar.
Politics divides the ESC community
“United by music” is the motto of the ESC, but there wasn’t always anything to be felt in the days of Malmö.
There is a heavy weight to the event this year, discussions about the exclusion of Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations dominate the ESC in Malmö. There was a similarly depressing situation in 2022 – after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. But still, Kalush Ochestra’s victory was a sign of hope at the time and the overwhelming vote for the band was an expression of solidarity. Now the ESC community is divided. Yes, almost unforgiving. Spokespersons like Käärijä, Alessandra and the Dutch Nikkie de Jaeger no longer want to read out points. “United by music” is a motto these days that no longer delivers what it promises.
After the disqualification of the Dutchman Joost Klein, the ESC is also missing a bit of lightness, with “Europapa” the fan favorite brought a lot of fun and a personal touch to the stage. Many want to stay away from the ESC after his exclusion because of an alleged assault on a Swedish television camerawoman.
Nemo scores more points than Loreen in Liverpool
Nemo’s victory with “The Code” almost becomes a minor matter for Switzerland. At 12:45 a.m. the triumph of the non-binary act was confirmed, with 591 points Nemo even topped last year’s winner Loreen and presented the coveted trophy. Nemo actually cracks the code and sheds a few tears of joy in the process. Then Nemo sends a message that is so important to the world that evening: “I hope the contest keeps its promises and promotes peace.”
A tour de force ride on the turntable convinced the juries
In the first round of voting it quickly became clear: Nemo was the jury’s favorite. There are twelve points in a row. Finally, Nemo has 365 points from the 37 countries, followed by Slimane with 218 points. What stands out: the two acts are so different, on the one hand lively Nemo, on the other the more quiet Frenchman. Nemo starts the race from 21st place and the tour de force on the turntable is extraterrestrially good. Every note is perfect, whether in the rap or opera part.
A song with a lot of feeling from Slimane
France can do ballads: Slimane sings his way to fourth place with a strong voice.
With number 25, Slimane is the musical bedtime treat; at the beginning, the viewer almost wants to lie down next to him and hear his “Mon Amour” whispered in their ears. And look deeply into his sparkling eyes. It’s a bit cheesy and tacky, but he, Slimane, can sing. “For Love and Peace,” the singer appeals to the ESC community after the performance. Just after his cuddly appearance, the Parisian made up places with the betting providers.
Baby Lasagna gets the best result for Croatia
But in the end it will be a start-to-finish victory for Nemo, and betting favorite Baby Lasagna also has to admit defeat. The 33-year-old gives everything on stage: with his dancing squat he makes the arena go wild, the audience roars along frenetically to “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa”. The Croatian received 337 points from the televoters, but in the final tally he only remained in second place that evening. What does “only” mean – it is the best ESC result for Croatia ever.
Isaak gets a lot of points from the juries for Germany
The dry spell is over: After the last few points, Isaak ended up in a good twelfth place.
At the bottom right of the table, Germany has been stuck there in recent years. But this year it’s different: When Isaak sings, countless cell phones light up in the arena. “Thank you Europe, thank you so much,” he addresses these words to the audience as a thank you. Isaak gets so many jury points for his performance that he settles on the left side early on. After all, there are 99 of them, including ten from Israel, eight each from the Netherlands and Belgium. The 18 points from the televoters can be overcome. In the end we achieved a good twelfth place. Isaak is happy about it, but is also happy that the ESC marathon is over: “I’m so tired.”
Crown Princess Victoria experiences whistles against Israel
What’s left of this evening? At least mixed feelings – and noise. As soon as the countries enter, there are boos and whistles against Eden Golan. Some left the hall in protest during Israel’s performance. There is a brief disturbance in the Malmö Arena, all under the eyes of Crown Princess Victoria, who is watching the contest in the audience.
From love-struck boxers to exorcising demons
A cage full of boxers: Not all ESC fans approve of the appearance of Brit Olly Alexander.
But the royal visit also sees a musical potpourri that doesn’t completely delight everyone. There is the duo Nebulossa, the singing goats from Spain, who are having a raunchy party with their half-naked dancers. Or the Brit Olly Alexander, who sings dizzy to “Dizzy” in a cage with love-struck boxers – between fighting and kissing. For the televoters, this is a zero number in terms of points. Opinions also differ about Bambie Thug’s exorcism of demons. Nevertheless, there is so much approval that it is enough for sixth place. Nemo can’t care about any of that. Nemo found paradise for himself that evening – and not just in the song.
Netherlands excluded from competition on final day
After an incident following the second semi-final on Thursday evening, the EBU decided on Saturday afternoon to exclude Dutch participant Joost Klein from the final. After speculation that Joost Klein had hit a production employee, the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS published a counter statement on its Instagram account. During the course of the evening, the former presenter at the ESC 2021 in Rotterdam and YouTuber Nikkie de Jager withdrew from awarding points for the Netherlands. In a statement, the 30-year-old said: “Whatever I do tonight, whether I’m there or not, I can’t do it well.” She made the decision together with AVROTROS. Martin Österdahl, the ESC’s executive supervisor, announced the Dutch jury’s points to boos and whistles from the audience.
Cancellation of further spokespersons
The Norwegian participant in the ESC 2023 Alessandra Mele canceled her participation as a spokesperson for Norway. According to the singer, the reason for this was the Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip. In her Instagram address, she spoke of the “love of truth” and of a “genocide” that is currently taking place and described this year’s motto of the competition “United By Music” as empty words. Against the background of the events, the almost winner of the ESC 2023 Käärijä from Finland also announced that he would withdraw from the points award. Instead, the results from Finland were announced by Radio Suomen presenter Toni Laaksonen.
Further information
Overview of all placements and points of the acts in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö. more
In Malmö, 25 acts competed in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Isaak started for Germany with “Always On The Run”. more
Our experts in Malmö examined all the songs. Who predicted the winning song? more
The winner of the ESC in Liverpool is Loreen from Sweden. Overview of all placements and points of the acts in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. more
When it comes to international bookmakers, Croatia was way at the top. But Israel and Switzerland were also very popular. more
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The first | Eurovision Song Contest | May 11, 2024 | 9:00 p.m