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Sweden wins 2023 Eurovision song contest, Australia in ninth place

Loreen has won Eurovision 2023 for Sweden. (Supplied: Corinne Cumming/EBU)

Sweden's Loreen has taken out the 2023 Eurovision song contest with the song Tattoo.

The jury-favourite has won Eurovision before.

Loreen came in at first place in 2012 as well with the song Euphoria. She followed that victory up by releasing the album Heal.

Sweden received 583 points overall, an overwhelming 340 of those points were awarded by national juries.

Loreen was dressed in a skin-tight outfit and lengthy nails made of stone for her winning performance.

Next year will be the 50th anniversary of Swedish supergroup ABBA's Eurovision win and as tradition goes, the winning nation will host, meaning the contest will be held in Sweden.

ABBA is the most commercially successful group to come out of Eurovision. They won the contest in 1974 and have enjoyed phenomenal success, despite disbanding in the 1980s.

Sweden has now won Eurovision seven times.

'Stockholm, we need to talk'

Loreen responded to questions after the show from a packed media conference.

When asked about her feelings at this point, she responded by saying she was "seriously overwhelmed".

"You will have to ask me that question tomorrow," she responded.

"But this is beautiful. I have one feeling overall and it's gratitude."

Loreen said things have changed since her first win in 2012.

"(Back then) everything was new, I was very naïve… now, it's like coming back to a family."

The two-time winner said the host city "has to be Stockholm, we need to talk", and when asked if she believes it should be two and done for Eurovision entrants, Loreen stated no, saying she might be back a third time.

Käärijä performed Cha Cha Cha for Finland at the Eurovision grand final. (Supplied: Corinne Cumming/EBU)

Crowd favourite Finland came in second this year with 526 points. Rapper, singer and songwriter Käärijä performed Cha Cha Cha for Finland.

He has a reputation for energetic shirtless performances and did not disappoint in the Eurovision grand final.

Israel's Noa Kirel rounded out the top three with Unicorn.

Australia places in the top 10

Bleary-eyed Australians got up early to watch synth-metal band Voyager perform their song Promise. They came in ninth place.

It was early for a Sunday morning if you're on the East Coast but spare a thought for fans in Voyager's hometown of Perth who had to get up at 3am AWST to catch the grand final, with Voyager on stage from 4:25am AWST.

It was worth the effort with the five-piece metal band even attracting the attention of Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

The group was a definite frontrunner for the bestselling author.

It's been quite the journey for the band led by singer Danny Estrin to get to Eurovision, with Estrin telling the ABC: "It's the overnight success story that's taken 20 years".

The Aussie rockers (and their classic Toyota MR-2) wrapped up their performance with Estrin expressing gratitude.

"Eurovision nations, thank you! Australia loves you!"

Australia was loved by most, but it could be the last time the nation competes in Eurovision.

Australians were also cheering on Andrew Lambrou, born and raised in Australia to Cypriot parents. He represented Cyprus at Eurovision with the song Break A Broken Heart. He came in 13th place with 126 points. 

The grand final began with a performance from last year's winners Kalush Orchestra who have spent the past year touring and even hanging out with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

And now they can say they've also hung out with royalty.

Tvorchi was charged with defending the Eurovision title for Ukraine. The duo is made up of producer Andrii Hutsuliak and singer Jimoh Augustus Kehinde, whose stage name is Jeffery Kenny.

Ukraine placed in sixth position this year.

The competition was held in Liverpool with the United Kingdom hosting because of the war in Ukraine.

Twenty-six countries competed in the grand final.

Running Order

  • Austria: Teya & Salena – Who The Hell Is Edgar?
  • Portugal: Mimicat – Ai Coração
  • Switzerland: Remo Forrer – Watergun
  • Poland: Blanka – Solo
  • Serbia: Luke Black – Samo Mi Se Spava
  • France: La Zarra – Évidemment
  • Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou – Break A Broken Heart
  • Spain: Blanca Paloma – EAEA
  • Sweden: Loreen – Tattoo
  • Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi — Duje
  • Italy: Marco Mengoni — Due Vite
  • Estonia: Alika — Bridges
  • Finland: Käärijä — Cha Cha Cha
  • Czechia: Vesna – My Sister's Crown
  • Australia: Voyager – Promise
  • Belgium: Gustaph — Because of You
  • Armenia: Brunette – Future Lover
  • Moldova: Pasha Parfeni – Soarele și Luna
  • Ukraine: Tvorchi – Heart Of Steel
  • Norway: Alessandra – Queen of Kings
  • Germany: Lord of the Lost – Blood & Glitter
  • Lithuania: Monika Linkytė – Stay
  • Israel: Noa Kirel – Unicorn
  • Slovenia: Joker Out – Carpe Diem
  • Croatia: Let 3 – Mama ŠČ!
  • United Kingdom: Mae Muller – I Wrote A Song

An encore performance will be broadcast on SBS TV and SBS On Demand at 7:30pm AEST.

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