Austria Wins Eurovision 2025: Operatic Pop Triumph and Fierce Competition

Austria won Eurovision 2025, impressing both the audience and the professional jury with an emotional operatic pop ballad.
The victory went to 24-year-old performer Johannes Pitch, who took the stage as JJ. His song “Wasted Love” in pop-opera style wowed the judges and captivated viewers.

The grand final was held in Basel, Switzerland. In a tense competition, Austria and Israel alternated in the lead. Israeli singer Yuval Raphael with “New Day Will Rise” earned the most viewer votes but lost out in the jury scoring.
As a result, Austria celebrated victory based on the combined total of votes.

Top 10 ranking:
1. Austria
2. Israel
3. Estonia
4. Sweden
5. Italy
6. Greece
7. France
8. Albania
9. Ukraine
10. Switzerland

Estonian artist Tommy Cash took third place with the eccentric “Espresso Macchiato.” Meanwhile, Swedish trio KAJ — bookmakers' favorite with a sauna-themed song — finished only fourth.
This is Austria’s third Eurovision win, following previous victories in 1966 and 2014. The country holds the record for the longest interval between wins — 48 years.

In an interview with Euronews, Johannes shared that his song reflects emotional pain that everyone faces: “It’s sad, but there’s hope. The tunnel always ends in light, and even tough times aren’t the end.”
A total of 26 acts competed in the final. This year saw a record number of songs performed in native languages — the most linguistic diversity since 1999.

Despite the overall message of unity, the contest was not free from political tensions. Israel's participation sparked protests: more than 70 former contestants signed an open letter calling for its exclusion. Demonstrations in support of Palestine were held outside the venue.

In response, the European Broadcasting Union tightened its conduct rules, reminding participants of Eurovision’s core values: neutrality, inclusiveness, equality, and universality.