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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton

Who won Eurovision 2022? Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra win with song Stefania

The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 crowned its winner on Saturday night, as Kalush Orchestra claimed the top spot and the trophy.

The Ukrainian band stormed to victory with the track Stefania, beating other countries and entries including the UK's Sam Ryder.

Ukraine had been the frontrunners from the start, before the live final had kicked off live from Turin in Italy, the home of last year's winners Måneskin.

Amid Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia, which led to Russia being banned from the annual singing contest, the country's entry secured a place in the live final and was tipped to win.

Ukraine's band Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest (Getty)

The group seized the top spot following a tense night of voting which saw the UK top the chart following votes from the jury.

But ultimately the Ukrainian band scooped the top spot once the public votes came in – propelling them to the top of the list with 631 points.

Accepting the prize, the band said: "Thank you so much. Thank you for supporting Ukraine.

"This victory is for every Ukrainian!"

Sam Ryder was the runner up of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest (Getty)

UK contestant Sam ended up in second place after wowing Europe with his performance of Space Man.

He scored a total of 466 points – while Spain's Chanel Terrero was third with her sizzling song SloMo and securing 459 points.

UK commentator Graham Norton had high praise for Sam and was stunned to see him make it to second place.

Spanish singer Chanel Terrero landed in third place during the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest (SplashNews.com)

He said the singer – who hails from Maldon – had done the country proud, and taken the UK within an inch of ending a 25 year long drought of success.

The last British entrant to win Eurovision was Katrina and the Waves who won in 1997 with the song Love Shine a Light.

However, it was Ukraine who basked in glory during Saturday night's contest following their breathtaking performance.

Stefania was written as a tribute to frontman Oleh Psiuk's mother, but has taken on a whole new meaning since Russia invaded the democratic country in February.

The lyrics "I'll always find my way home, even if all roads are destroyed" have taken on a special meaning in light of the war.

The band themselves were granted special permission to leave Ukraine to attend the competition in Italy on Saturday night.

Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra were victorious on Saturday night (Getty Images)

One of the original members stayed behind to continue the fight and the others plan to return as soon as possible following the contest.

Graham Norton noted: "We weren't sure they were going to make it but they have made it. Their commentator did not make it, he is commentating from a bomb shelter"

The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is available on BBC iPlayer.

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