A strong performance by Austria in the huge Eurovision song contest, along with lots of other tough competition, left Norway in 18th place at Saturday night’s extravaganza in Basel, Switzerland. The marathon show was also marked by lots of drama around Israel’ entry.
Norway’s entry, 19-year-old singer and dancer Kyle Alessandro, won a total of 89 points for his song “Lighter.” That left him in the lower second-half of total results but he took it in stride: “It’s better than last place, and better than the odds too,” Alessandro told state broadcaster NRK and other reporters. He also claimed that Austria’s performer JJ (Johannes Pietsch) had become his “best friend” during the Eurovision whirlwind, so he was happy for him, too.
The show ran for more than three hours, and still didn’t have voting results by midnight. It was marred by demonstrations against Israel both outside and inside the arena where it all played out, but voters clearly liked Yuval Raphael’s song, “New Day Will Rise,” which won 357 points and 297 votes from the public. JJ’s song, “Wasted love,” won 436 points and 178 votes and that put him over the top.
“Forget hate,” JJ said at a press conference after the show. His victory means the next Eurovision contest will be held in Austria.
NewsinEnglish.no staff