Eurovision 2022 saw victory for Ukraine just weeks after the Russian invasion (Picture: Reuters)
Eurovision has come to the UK for the first time since 1998, with thousands of fans set to descend upon host city Liverpool for the annual songfest.
The event will see acts from 37 countries descending upon the city in their bid to be crowned 2023 champion, and bag the honour of having their country host the whole shebang next year.
And there are a few familiar faces among this year’s line-up, including Sweden’s legendary winner Loreen – who is among the favourites to nab the title with her track Tattoo.
Of course, the UK – this year hoping for glory with singer Mae Muller – is getting the chance to host after Sam Ryder turned the country’s Eurovision fortunes round spectacularly at the 2022 contest in Turin.
But who actually won Eurovision 2022 – and will they be putting in an appearance this year?
Who won Eurovision in 2022?
While the UK might be hosting Eurovision this year, the 2022 contest was actually won by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, with their track Stefania.
The band took the title with an impressive 631 points ahead of Ryder, whose song Space Man finished second with 466 points – giving the UK its best performance since finishing joint third in 2002.
It was Ukraine’s third Eurovision win, having previously taken top honours in 2004 and 2016 – and under normal circumstances they would have hosted this year’s show also, having previously staged the contest in Kyiv in 2005 and 2017.
Unfortunately, due to the ongoing war with Russia, they have been unable to host the 2023 contest – with the honour falling instead to the UK, as the country who finished second last year.
Sam Ryder previously said that hosting the contest in the UK on Ukraine’s behalf was ‘bittersweet’.
Sam Ryder scored a second place finish for the UK with Space Man (Picture: Reuters)
‘That it’s over here [in 2023], I feel it’s something to do with myself and the team and our efforts, but ultimately it’s their party and we’re just throwing it in our back garden,’ he told metro.co.uk.
Will Kalush Orchestra perform at Eurovision 2023?
You will indeed be seeing Kalush Orchestra at Eurovision 2023 – as they will be opening this year’s grand final.
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The band will deliver a performance entitled Voices Of A New Generation, which will incorporate their winning song Stefania.
They’ll lead several other Ukrainian Eurovision acts – including Go-A (2021), Jamala (2016), Tina Karol (2006) and Verka Serduchka (2007) who will perform new versions of their entries during the opening Flag Parade – when the 26 acts in the final are introduced.
The Ukrainian act will return to open the grand final in Liverpool (Picture: PA)
Since winning Eurovision Kalush Orchestra have performed for fans at the 2022 Glastonbury Festival, as well as collaborating with Finnish rockers The Rasmus (who also took part in the 2022 contest) on a new version of their classic In The Shadows.
They also toured the US – where they had the chance to hang out with Arnold Schwarzenegger and his pet donkey.
The Eurovision semi-finals are on BBC One on Tuesday May 9 and Thursday May 11 at 8pm. The grand final is on BBC One on Saturday May 13 at 8pm.
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It was a memorable victory.Â
