It’s the third time the country has won the contest in its 66-year history.
Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest for 2022, hosted in Turin, Italy.
Performing “Stefania”, Ukrainian rap group Kalush Orchestra won with 631 points.
The UK finished as runner-up with 466 points, while Spain placed third with 459.
Rounding out the top five were Sweden and Serbia.
Australia and its representative of Sheldon Riley ranked 15th out of the 25 finalists, only garnering 125 points.
Following his performance of “Not The Same”, Riley told the Italian crowd:
“Thank you Europe, anything is possible!”
“This has been the most incredible experience of my entire life. It’s all I ever wanted. I got to meet everyone that I’ve watched for years and years. I got to meet Conchita today, which was amazing. I was told for such a long time that this was never going to be possible, so I didn’t care where I placed, as long as I got here and that I got to the Grand Final. My performance was received so well by the room and it means the absolute world. This is everything I could have dreamed of. Eurovision is more than a competition. I don’t think there are many people in the world that have been told so strongly that weren’t able to achieve something and actually went on to do it. I couldn’t be more proud of myself. Coming from a country that didn’t get to qualify through to the Grand Final last year, I’ve been able to travel to so many countries through this experience, and fulfilled my Eurovision dream – not many people get to say that. I’m also, very very happy Ukraine won!”
SBS once again aired coverage of Eurovision this year, with commentary provided by Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst.
Courtney Act was named Australia’s spokesperson for the event this year, while Australia’s jury members were as: Dylan Lewis, Montaigne, Matt Okine, Bridget Hustwaite, and Milly Petriella.
This is the third time Ukraine has won the contest, but this occasion occurs particularly poignantly as the country faces war with Russia.
After the band, Kalush Orchestra, finished performing in the final, lead singer Oleh Psiuk shouted:
“Please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now.”
The six men who make up the group received special permits to leave Ukraine and travel to Italy during the war.
