Ukraine wins Eurovision 2022, Belgium finishes in 19th position
What is the most beautiful European song of 2022? This was determined by the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest this Saturday evening in Turin.
Mistress of ceremonies with Mika and Alessandro Cattelan, Laura Pausini opened the ball with a medley featuring all her most beautiful songs and a story to mark the occasion, the interpreter of “La Solitudine” connects languages, from Italian to Italian. English through Spanish and even French.
In the comments on La Une, Jean-Louis Lahaye and Maureen Louys warn viewers: Jérémie Makiese, representing Belgium, will drop to sixteenth position during this evening.
The Czech Republic enters the scene followed by Romania. Maro, representing Portugal, then offers a moment out of time to the public with “Saudade Saudade”, a song that tackles the death of the singer’s grandfather.
“It’s wading through the pancake batter”
Almost 20 years after the international success In the Shadows, the group The Rasmus comes to defend the colors of Finland. In the opening, singer Lauri Ylönen winks at Stephen King and his novel “It”. Internet users are rather divided at the end of the service. “They should stay in” in the shadows “(in the shadows, Editor’s note) rather than coming to Eurovision”, writes one of them on social networks. After the passage of Switzerland, it is the turn of the French Alvan and Ahez to be the target of the Web with Fulenn, their Breton title. “It’s wading through the pancake batter”, relays Maureen Louys who takes pleasure in reading certain comments aloud.
The Norwegians equipped with their mask and their sunglasses arrive on stage. “It’s not the Mignons (characters from the film “Me, ugly and wicked”, Editor’s note), it’s the Norwegians”, laughs the host.
Armenia followed with its singer in pajamas, Italy with Mahmood and Blanco acclaimed by the public and Spain with Chanel, its representative singled out for her outfits that were a little too provocative. “Chanel, I love it. She rocks and not just her clothes!”, Says the host again with humor.
After the Netherlands, the representatives of Ukraine, big favorite of this edition, make their entrance on stage, pink hat on the skull. Their performance on Kalush Orchestra will end under the yellow and blue colors of the Ukrainian flag. By way of conclusion, one of the members of the group takes advantage of the media coverage of the event to launch an appeal for help for his war-affected country.
Germany, Lithuania, Azerbaijan and here we are in Belgium. Like the fine performance offered in the second semi-final, Jérémie Makiese made a faultless performance with “Miss You”, his title worthy of a James Bond soundtrack.
Iceland follows in the footsteps of Greece, also favorite, and then comes Moldova with its title which mixes folklore and rock’n’roll. Cornelia Jakobs, representing Sweden, caused another sensation with “Hold me Closer”. This is followed by Australia, guest of Eurovision for the 60th anniversary of the competition, the United Kingdom, Poland and Serbia with its famous hand washing choreography. Estonia closes this edition.
After the launch of the votes and before discovering the results, Maneskin, Italian winner of last year, performed on stage and concluded with these words: “Have fun and above all don’t stay too close to the table! (laughs). A nod to the controversy that arose following his victory in 2021. The singer was suspected of having taken drugs during the competition. Charges that the group has always denied and whose tests have cleared the group.
At the top of the ranking, after the vote of the professionals, the United Kingdom lost its place of leader to the benefit of Ukraine which received 439 points from the public. This top ranking, the country at war will keep it until the end. With 631 points, Ukraine wins this 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, ahead of the United Kingdom, Spain and Sweden. Belgium ranks 19th. On the other hand, a hard blow for France, which finished penultimate in this edition.