contest no. 67
Eurovision 2023: Liverpool
The 67th Eurovision Song Contest was held on Saturday, 13 May 2023 at M&S Bank Arena Liverpool in Liverpool, United Kingdom. 37 countries took part. Sweden won with “Tattoo” by Loreen, on 583 points.
How would you have voted? Rank all 37 songs from 2023
- Final
- Saturday, 13 May 2023
- Semi-finals
- Tuesday, 9 May 2023 and Thursday, 11 May 2023
- Venue
- M&S Bank Arena Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Host broadcaster
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
- Presenters
- Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham, Julia Sanina, Graham Norton (final)
- For the EBU
- Martin Österdahl
- Slogan
- United by Music
- Entries
- 37 countries
- Absent
- Bulgaria, Montenegro, North Macedonia
- Voting
- Each country awards one set in the semi-finals, or two sets in the final of 12, 10, 8–1 points to ten songs. In all three shows, online votes from viewers in non-participating countries are aggregated and awarded as one set of points.
The story
Liverpool hosts for Ukraine, and Loreen wins a second time
Ukraine won in 2022 and wanted to host in 2023. Its government, its broadcaster and its president all said so, and an organising committee was set up.
On 17 June 2022 the EBU ruled it out. With the country under invasion, it said, Ukraine could not give the guarantees on security and operations that the contest required.
On behalf of Ukraine
The EBU turned to the runner-up. On 25 July it announced that the BBC would stage the contest in the United Kingdom, on Ukraine’s behalf. It was the first time since 1980 that the contest was not held in the country that had won it.
Twenty British cities and towns asked to be considered. Liverpool was chosen.
The presenters reflected the arrangement: Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and the Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina, joined by Graham Norton for the final. The slogan, “United by Music”, has been kept for every contest since.
A smaller field
Thirty-seven countries took part, the fewest since 2014. Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia stayed away, mainly because of the cost in the middle of an energy crisis.
The Czech Republic competed for the first time under the name Czechia.
Two changes to the vote
The juries lost their say in the semi-finals. Who reached the final was once again decided by viewers alone, with juries voting only on the Saturday.
And for the first time people in countries that were not competing could vote, online. Their votes were added together and counted as one extra set of points: the “Rest of the World”.
The result
It came down to two songs and two electorates.
The juries chose Sweden. Loreen, the winner of 2012, was back with “Tattoo”, and the juries put her comfortably first. The public chose Finland: Käärijä’s “Cha Cha Cha” won the televote, with Sweden second.
Added together, Sweden had 583 points and Finland 526.
Not everyone in the hall took it well. During the jury voting, Finland’s supporters chanted over several of the announcements of twelve points for Sweden. Loreen said afterwards that she did not mind, and liked their enthusiasm.
What it meant
Loreen became the second performer to win the contest twice, after Johnny Logan. Sweden’s seventh victory drew it level with Ireland at the top of the all-time list.
Israel was third and Italy fourth. Ukraine, the country the contest was being held for, came sixth. The hosts were second from last, and Germany last.
In Britain the songs did better than the British entry. In the week after the final four of them were in the top ten of the UK singles chart at once, which had never happened before, and “Tattoo” reached number two.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Eurovision Song Contest 2023”, and the EBU statements and press reports it cites.
The shows, night by night
What opened each show, and what filled the interval while the votes came in.
-
Tuesday, 9 May 2023
First semi-final
15 songs, 10 went through to the final
- opened by
-
- Julia Sanina the co-host sang “Mayak”
- in the interval
-
- Alyosha and Rebecca Ferguson “Ordinary World”
- Rita Ora a medley of four songs
Every song and who went through ↓ Every vote, country by country →
-
Thursday, 11 May 2023
Second semi-final
16 songs, 10 went through to the final
- in the interval
-
- Mariya Yaremchuk, Zlata Dziunka and OTOY “Music Unites Generations”
- Miss Demeanour, Miss Mercedes Bends and Tomara Thomas “Be Who You Wanna Be”
Every song and who went through ↓ Every vote, country by country →
-
Saturday, 13 May 2023
Final
26 songs
- opened by
-
- Kalush Orchestra last year’s winners, with “Stefania” and “Changes”
- The flag parade with Go_A, Jamala, Tina Karol and Verka Serduchka
- in the interval
-
- Sam Ryder “Mountain”
- “The Liverpool Songbook” sung by Mahmood, Netta, Daði Freyr, Cornelia Jakobs, Duncan Laurence and Sonia
The final
| Place | Country | Artist | Song | Points | Sang | Semi-final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweden | Loreen winner! | “Tattoo” English · Peter Boström, Moa Carlebecker, Thomas Gustafsson, Jimmy Jansson, Lorine Talhaoui, Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt | 583 | 9 | SF1 · 2nd 135 pts |
| 2 | Finland | Käärijä | “Cha Cha Cha” Finnish · Johannes Naukkarinen, Aleksi Nurmi, Jere Pöyhönen | 526 | 13 | SF1 · 1st 177 pts |
| 3 | Israel | Noa Kirel | “Unicorn” English · Noa Kirel, Doron Medalie, May Sfadia, Yinon Yahel | 362 | 23 | SF1 · 3rd 127 pts |
| 4 | Italy | Marco Mengoni | “Due vite” Italian · Marco Mengoni, Davide Petrella, Davide Simonetta | 350 | 11 | Straight to the final |
| 5 | Norway | Alessandra | “Queen of Kings” English, Italian · Linda Dale, Stanley Ferdinandez, Alessandra Mele, Henning Olerud | 268 | 20 | SF1 · 6th 102 pts |
| 6 | Ukraine | Tvorchi | “Heart of Steel” English, Ukrainian · Andrii Hutsuliak, Jimoh Augustus Kehinde | 243 | 19 | Straight to the final |
| 7 | Belgium | Gustaph | “Because of You” English · Jaouad Alloul, Stef Caers | 182 | 16 | SF2 · 8th 90 pts |
| 8 | Estonia | Alika | “Bridges” English · Alika Milova, Wouter Hardy, Nina Sampermans | 168 | 12 | SF2 · 10th 74 pts |
| 9 | Australia | Voyager | “Promise” English · Alex Canion, Ashley Doodkorte, Simone Dow, Daniel Estrin, Scott Kay | 151 | 15 | SF2 · 1st 149 pts |
| 10 | Czechia | Vesna | “My Sister's Crown” English, Czech, Ukrainian, Bulgarian · Adam Albrecht, Michal Jiráň, Patricie Kaňok, Šimon Martínek, Kateryna Vatchenko, Tanita Yankova | 129 | 14 | SF1 · 4th 110 pts |
| 11 | Lithuania | Monika Linkytė | “Stay” English · Krists Indrišonoks, Monika Linkytė | 127 | 22 | SF2 · 4th 110 pts |
| 12 | Cyprus | Andrew Lambrou | “Break a Broken Heart” English · Jimmy Jansson, Thomas Stengaard, Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt, Marcus Winther-John | 126 | 7 | SF2 · 7th 94 pts |
| 13 | Croatia | Let 3 | “Mama ŠČ!” Croatian · Damir Martinović Mrle, Zoran Prodanović Prlja | 123 | 25 | SF1 · 8th 76 pts |
| 14 | Armenia | Brunette | “Future Lover” English, Armenian · Elen Yeremyan | 122 | 17 | SF2 · 6th 99 pts |
| 15 | Austria | Teya and Salena | “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” English, Italian · Selina-Maria Edbauer, Ronald Janeček, Pele Loriano, Teodora Špirić | 120 | 1 | SF2 · 2nd 137 pts |
| 16 | France | La Zarra | “Évidemment” French · Fatima-Zahra Hafdi, Yannick Rastogi, Zacharie Raymond, Ahmed Saghir | 104 | 6 | Straight to the final |
| 17 | Spain | Blanca Paloma | “Eaea” Spanish · Blanca Paloma Ramos Baeza, José Pablo Polo, Álvaro Tato | 100 | 8 | Straight to the final |
| 18 | Moldova | Pasha Parfeni | “Soarele și luna” Romanian · Pasha Parfeni, Yuliana Parfeni, Cătălin Temciuc, Andrei Vulpe | 96 | 18 | SF1 · 5th 109 pts |
| 19 | Poland | Blanka | “Solo” English · Maria Broberg, Marcin Górecki, Maciej Puchalski, Bartłomiej Rzeczycki, Blanka Stajkow, Julia Sundberg, Mikołaj Trybulec | 93 | 4 | SF2 · 3rd 124 pts |
| 20 | Switzerland | Remo Forrer | “Watergun” English · Ashley Hicklin, Argyle Singh, Mikołaj Trybulec | 92 | 3 | SF1 · 7th 97 pts |
| 21 | Slovenia | Joker Out | “Carpe Diem” Slovene · Bojan Cvjetićanin, Kris Guštin, Nace Jordan, Jure Maček, Jan Peteh | 78 | 24 | SF2 · 5th 103 pts |
| 22 | Albania | Albina and Familja Kelmendi | “Duje” Albanian · Enis Mullaj, Eriona Rushiti | 76 | 10 | SF2 · 9th 83 pts |
| 23 | Portugal | Mimicat | “Ai coração” Portuguese · Marisa Mena, Luís Pereira | 59 | 2 | SF1 · 9th 74 pts |
| 24 | Serbia | Luke Black | “Samo mi se spava (Само ми се спава)” Serbian, English · Luka Ivanović | 30 | 5 | SF1 · 10th 37 pts |
| 25 | United Kingdom | Mae Muller | “I Wrote a Song” English · Mae Muller, Karen Poole, Lewis Thompson | 24 | 26 | Straight to the final |
| 26 | Germany | Lord of the Lost | “Blood & Glitter” English · Anthony J. Brown, Chris Harms, Rupert Keplinger, Pi Stoffers | 18 | 21 | Straight to the final |
The semi-finals
Every song in each semi-final, in finishing order. 11 songs didn’t reach the final.
First semi-final Tuesday, 9 May 2023 · 15 songs, 10 went through
| Place | Country | Artist | Song | Points | Sang | Then |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finland | Käärijä | “Cha Cha Cha” Finnish · Johannes Naukkarinen, Aleksi Nurmi, Jere Pöyhönen | 177 | 15 | Through: 2nd in the final |
| 2 | Sweden | Loreen | “Tattoo” English · Peter Boström, Moa Carlebecker, Thomas Gustafsson, Jimmy Jansson, Lorine Talhaoui, Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt | 135 | 11 | Through: 1st in the final |
| 3 | Israel | Noa Kirel | “Unicorn” English · Noa Kirel, Doron Medalie, May Sfadia, Yinon Yahel | 127 | 9 | Through: 3rd in the final |
| 4 | Czechia | Vesna | “My Sister's Crown” English, Czech, Ukrainian, Bulgarian · Adam Albrecht, Michal Jiráň, Patricie Kaňok, Šimon Martínek, Kateryna Vatchenko, Tanita Yankova | 110 | 13 | Through: 10th in the final |
| 5 | Moldova | Pasha Parfeni | “Soarele și luna” Romanian · Pasha Parfeni, Yuliana Parfeni, Cătălin Temciuc, Andrei Vulpe | 109 | 10 | Through: 18th in the final |
| 6 | Norway | Alessandra | “Queen of Kings” English, Italian · Linda Dale, Stanley Ferdinandez, Alessandra Mele, Henning Olerud | 102 | 1 | Through: 5th in the final |
| 7 | Switzerland | Remo Forrer | “Watergun” English · Ashley Hicklin, Argyle Singh, Mikołaj Trybulec | 97 | 8 | Through: 20th in the final |
| 8 | Croatia | Let 3 | “Mama ŠČ!” Croatian · Damir Martinović Mrle, Zoran Prodanović Prlja | 76 | 7 | Through: 13th in the final |
| 9 | Portugal | Mimicat | “Ai coração” Portuguese · Marisa Mena, Luís Pereira | 74 | 5 | Through: 23rd in the final |
| 10 | Serbia | Luke Black | “Samo mi se spava (Само ми се спава)” Serbian, English · Luka Ivanović | 37 | 3 | Through: 24th in the final |
| 11 | Latvia | Sudden Lights | “Aijā” English · Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis, Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis, Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, Kārlis Vārtiņš | 34 | 4 | Out |
| 12 | Ireland | Wild Youth | “We Are One” English · Jörgen Elofsson, Conor O'Donohoe, Edward Porter | 10 | 6 | Out |
| 13 | Netherlands | Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper | “Burning Daylight” English · Dion Cuiper, Jordan Garfield, Loek van der Grinten, Duncan de Moor, Mia Nicolai | 7 | 14 | Out |
| 14 | Azerbaijan | TuralTuranX | “Tell Me More” English · Nihad Aliyev, Tural Baghmanov, Turan Baghmanov, Tunar Taghiyev | 4 | 12 | Out |
| 15 | Malta | The Busker | “Dance (Our Own Party)” English · Matthew James Borg, Jean Paul Borg, Micheal Joe Cini, Sean Meachen, David Meilak | 3 | 2 | Out |
Second semi-final Thursday, 11 May 2023 · 16 songs, 10 went through
| Place | Country | Artist | Song | Points | Sang | Then |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | Voyager | “Promise” English · Alex Canion, Ashley Doodkorte, Simone Dow, Daniel Estrin, Scott Kay | 149 | 16 | Through: 9th in the final |
| 2 | Austria | Teya and Salena | “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” English, Italian · Selina-Maria Edbauer, Ronald Janeček, Pele Loriano, Teodora Špirić | 137 | 13 | Through: 15th in the final |
| 3 | Poland | Blanka | “Solo” English · Maria Broberg, Marcin Górecki, Maciej Puchalski, Bartłomiej Rzeczycki, Blanka Stajkow, Julia Sundberg, Mikołaj Trybulec | 124 | 9 | Through: 19th in the final |
| 4 | Lithuania | Monika Linkytė | “Stay” English · Krists Indrišonoks, Monika Linkytė | 110 | 15 | Through: 11th in the final |
| 5 | Slovenia | Joker Out | “Carpe Diem” Slovene · Bojan Cvjetićanin, Kris Guštin, Nace Jordan, Jure Maček, Jan Peteh | 103 | 10 | Through: 21st in the final |
| 6 | Armenia | Brunette | “Future Lover” English, Armenian · Elen Yeremyan | 99 | 2 | Through: 14th in the final |
| 7 | Cyprus | Andrew Lambrou | “Break a Broken Heart” English · Jimmy Jansson, Thomas Stengaard, Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt, Marcus Winther-John | 94 | 6 | Through: 12th in the final |
| 8 | Belgium | Gustaph | “Because of You” English · Jaouad Alloul, Stef Caers | 90 | 5 | Through: 7th in the final |
| 9 | Albania | Albina and Familja Kelmendi | “Duje” Albanian · Enis Mullaj, Eriona Rushiti | 83 | 14 | Through: 22nd in the final |
| 10 | Estonia | Alika | “Bridges” English · Alika Milova, Wouter Hardy, Nina Sampermans | 74 | 4 | Through: 8th in the final |
| 11 | Iceland | Diljá | “Power” English · Diljá Pétursdóttir, Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson | 44 | 7 | Out |
| 12 | Georgia | Iru | “Echo” English · Beni Kadagidze, Iru Khechanovi, Giorgi Kukhianidze | 33 | 11 | Out |
| 13 | Greece | Victor Vernicos | “What They Say” English · Victor Vernicos Jørgensen | 14 | 8 | Out |
| 14 | Denmark | Reiley | “Breaking My Heart” English · Bård Bonsaksen, Sivert Hjeltnes Hagtvet, Rani Petersen, Hilda Stenmalm | 6 | 1 | Out |
| 15 | Romania | Theodor Andrei | “D.G.T. (Off and On)” Romanian, English · Theodor-Octavian Andrei, Luca De Mezzo, Mikail Jahed, Luca Ştefan Udăţeanu | 0 | 3 | Out |
| 16 | San Marino | Piqued Jacks | “Like an Animal” English · Francesco Bini, Andrea Lazzeretti, Tommaso Oliveri, Marco Sgaramella | 0 | 12 | Out |
Who showed it, and who talked over it
The channels that carried the contest in 44 countries, with the commentator where our source names one.
-
Albania
- RTSH 1, RTSH Muzikë, Radio Tirana Andri Xhahu
-
Armenia
- Armenia 1 Hrachuhi Utmazyan and Hamlet Arakelyan
-
Australia
- SBS Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey
-
Austria
- ORF 1 Andi Knoll
- FM4 (final) Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz
-
Azerbaijan
- İTV Azer Suleymanli
-
Belgium
- VRT 1 Peter Van de Veire
- Radio 2 (final) Peter Van de Veire
- Tipik (semi-final 1) Jean-Louis Lahaye and Maureen Louys
- La Une (semi-final 2 and final) Jean-Louis Lahaye and Maureen Louys
- VivaCité Jean-Louis Lahaye and Maureen Louys
-
Croatia
- HRT 1, HR 2 Duško Ćurlić
-
Cyprus
- RIK 1, RIK Sat Melina Karageorgiou and Alexandros Taramountas
-
Czechia
- ČT2 Jan Maxián
-
Denmark
- DR1 Nicolai Molbech
-
Estonia
- ETV Marko Reikop
- ETV+ Aleksandr Hobotov and Julia Kalenda
- ETV2 (final) Sign language: Various interpreters
-
Finland
- Yle TV1 Mikko Silvennoinen
- Yle Radio Suomi Sanna Pirkkalainen and Jorma Hietamäki
- Yle X3M Eva Frantz and Johan Lindroos
- YleX (semi-final 1 and final) Sini Laitinen
- Yle Areena Swedish: Eva Frantz and Johan Lindroos, Inari Sámi: Heli Huovinen, Northern Sámi: Aslak Paltto
- Yle Areena (semi-final 1 and final) Russian: Levan Tvaltvadze, Ukrainian: Galyna Sergeyeva
-
France
- Culturebox (semi‑finals) Anggun and André Manoukian
- France 2 (final) Laurence Boccolini and Stéphane Bern
- Guadeloupe La Première (semi‑finals) Anggun and André Manoukian
- Guadeloupe La Première (final) Laurence Boccolini and Stéphane Bern
-
Georgia
- 1TV Nika Lobiladze
-
Germany
- One Peter Urban
- Das Erste (final) Peter Urban
- DW Deutsch, DW Deutsch+ (final) Peter Urban
- Radio Eins (final) Amelie Ernst and Max Spallek
-
Greece
- ERT1 Maria Kozakou and Jenny Melita
- Deftero Programma Dimitris Meidanis, Maria Kozakou and Jenny Melita
-
Iceland
- RÚV Gísli Marteinn Baldursson
- RÚV 2 Sign language: Various interpreters
-
Ireland
- RTÉ One (semi-final 1 and final) Marty Whelan
- RTÉ2 (semi-final 2) Marty Whelan
- RTÉ 2fm (semi-final 1 and final) Neil Doherty and Zbyszek Zalinski
-
Israel
- Kan 11, Kan Educational, Kan 88 (semi‑finals) Asaf Liberman and Akiva Novick
- Kan 11, Kan Tarbut, Kan B (final) Asaf Liberman, Akiva Novick and Doron Medalie
- Kan 88 (final) Kobi Menora and Sharon Kantor
-
Italy
- Rai 2 (semi‑finals) Gabriele Corsi and Mara Maionchi
- Rai 1 (final) Gabriele Corsi and Mara Maionchi
- Rai Radio 2 Mariolina Simone, Diletta Parlangeli and Saverio Raimondo
-
Latvia
- LTV1 Toms Grēviņš
- LTV1 (final) Lauris Reiniks
-
Lithuania
- LRT televizija, LRT Radijas Ramūnas Zilnys
-
Malta
- TVM
-
Moldova
- Moldova 1, Radio Moldova, Radio Moldova Muzical Ion Jalbă
-
Netherlands
- NPO 1, BVN Cornald Maas and Jan Smit
- NPO Radio 2 (final) Wouter van der Goes and Frank van 't Hof
-
Norway
- NRK1 Marte Stokstad
- NRK3, NRK P3 (final) Arian Engebø, Egil Skurdal, Adelina Ibishi and Nate Kahungu
- NRK P1 (final) Jon Marius Hyttebakk
-
Poland
- TVP1, TVP Polonia Aleksander Sikora and Marek Sierocki
-
Portugal
- RTP1, RTP Internacional, RTP África José Carlos Malato and Nuno Galopim
-
Romania
- TVR 1, TVRi Bogdan Stănescu and Kyrie Mendel
-
San Marino
- San Marino RTV, Radio San Marino Lia Fiorio and Gigi Restivo
-
Serbia
- RTS Svet Duška Vučinić
- RTS 3 (semi‑finals) Duška Vučinić
- RTS 1 (final) Duška Vučinić
- Radio Beograd 1 (final) Duška Vučinić
-
Slovenia
- TV SLO 2 (semi‑finals) Andrej Hofer
- TV SLO 1 (final) Andrej Hofer
- Radio Val 202, Radio Maribor (semi-final 2) Maja Stepančič, Maruša Kerec, Neja Jerant and Uršula Zaletelj
- Radio Val 202, Radio Maribor (final) Maja Stepančič, Miha Šalehar and Uršula Zaletelj
-
Spain
- La 2 (semi-final 1) Tony Aguilar and Julia Varela
- La 1 (semi-final 2 and final) Tony Aguilar and Julia Varela
- TVE Internacional Tony Aguilar and Julia Varela
- Radio Nacional (final) David Asensio, Imanol Durán, Irene Vaquero and Ángela Fernández
-
Sweden
- SVT1 Edward af Sillén
- SVT1 (final) Måns Zelmerlöw
- SVT24 Audio description: Annika Lundin
- SR P4 Carolina Norén
-
Switzerland
- SRF zwei (semi‑finals) Sven Epiney
- SRF 1 (final) Sven Epiney
- RTS 2 (semi‑finals) Jean-Marc Richard, Nicolas Tanner and Priscilla Formaz
- RTS 1 (final) Jean-Marc Richard, Nicolas Tanner and Priscilla Formaz
- RSI La 2 (semi‑finals) Ellis Cavallini and Gian-Andrea Costa
- RSI La 1 (final) Ellis Cavallini and Gian-Andrea Costa
-
Ukraine
- Suspilne Kultura Timur Miroshnychenko
- Radio Promin (final) Oleksandra Franko and Oleksandr Barbelen
-
United Kingdom
- BBC One (semi‑finals) Scott Mills and Rylan
- BBC One (final) Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc
- BBC iPlayer Sign language: Various interpreters
- BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Merseyside (semi‑finals) Paddy O'Connell
- BBC Radio 2 (final) Scott Mills and Rylan
- BBC Radio Merseyside (final) Claire Sweeney and Paul Quinn
Also shown in
-
Chile
- Canal 13 (final) Sergio Lagos and Rayén Araya
-
Faroe Islands
- KVF Faroese: Gunnar Nolsøe and Siri Súsonnudóttir Hansen, Danish: Nicolai Molbech
-
Kosovo
- RTK 1 Jeta Çitaku and Ylber Asllanaj
-
Montenegro
- TVCG 2 Ivan Maksimović
- Radio 98
-
North Macedonia
- MRT 1, MRT 2, Radio Skopje Aleksandra Jovanovska and Eli Tanaskovska
-
Slovakia
- Rádio FM (final) Daniel Baláž, Lucia Haverlík, Pavol Hubinák and Juraj Malíček
-
United States
- Peacock
- Peacock (final) Johnny Weir
- WJFD-FM (final) Ewan Spence and Samantha Ross
Results as published by the European Broadcasting Union. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll fix it.