A night of tension, emotion, and a performance that truly moved Europe
With a grand finale filled with cinematic flair, heartfelt performances, and unexpected emotional depth, Eurovision 2025 came to a dazzling close in Basel, Switzerland. The spotlight belonged to Austria, whose artist JJ delivered a stunning rendition of “Wasted Love”, capturing the hearts of both juries and audiences alike to secure the top spot in the 69th edition of the contest.
Austria’s staging was a masterclass in poetic drama. Singing in an ethereal countertenor voice, JJ transformed “Wasted Love” into a genre-defying blend of opera, pop, and electronic music. Visually, the performance unfolded like a dream: a solitary ring of light, a hauntingly still forest, and a spectral lake — the entire stage bathed in moody blues and purples that amplified the sense of solitude and transcendence.
The emotional crescendo came in the final moments, when JJ collapsed to the stage in a symbolic act of surrender and catharsis. The audience erupted in extended applause, sealing a victory not just built on vocal strength, but on storytelling, vulnerability, and artistry.
Israel took second place, followed by Estonia in third, while Sweden and Italy rounded out the top five. In a contest often defined by spectacle, this year’s finale served as a powerful reminder that Eurovision is still capable of stirring emotions, sparking imagination, and bringing people together through the universal language of music.
