Ukraine favourites to win Eurovision Song Contest as UK's surprisingly good odds are revealed

Kalush Orchestra‘s Eurovision trophy has been auctioned off online to raise funds to buy drones for Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia.The Ukrainian rap group triumphed over the UK’s Sam Ryder at the Turin ceremony earlier this month, receiving a massive portion of the public vote.As BBC News report, the winning trophy – a crystal microphone – has now been auctioned off on Facebook with the aim of buying drones for Ukraine’s armed forces with the proceeds.It is tradition for the winning nation of Eurovision to host the competition the following year. Due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine at the hands of Russia, much doubt has been cast over whether the country will be in a position to be able to do so.

Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, following the victory of Kalush Orchestra this weekend.Kalush Orchestra were the bookies’ favourites for Eurovision glory with their rousing folk-rap song ‘Stefania‘, before they went on to take the top spot by scoring a massive 631 points – largely from the public vote – to overhaul the UK, who were winning after the jury votes at the grand final in Turin.It is tradition for the winning nation of Eurovision to host the competition the following year. Due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine at the hands of Russia, much doubt has been cast over whether the country will be in a position to be able to do so.

Sam Ryder has detailed how he prepared for the hit singing competition Eurovision on Saturday 14 May, explaining that he didn't have a single drink in the lead up to the big event.The 32 year old TikTok sensation left the UK in a state of immense pride as he sang Space Man and came in second behind Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, who played Stefania. Now, Sam has spoken out on how "laser-focused" he was in preparing to represent the UK as he told Radio X's Chris Moyles: "I didn’t drink whatsoever.

Eurovision Song Contest runner-up Sam Ryder broke his silence on Monday after making history for the UK on the international talent show.MORE: How to get your hair like the stars of Eurovision - from the stylists who made themThe Essex-based singer, who became popular during lockdown with his impressive vocals, blew Europe away with his epic performance on Saturday night, scoring a staggering 466 points for his homeland.WATCH: Eurovision 61 years of contestantsTaking to his Instagram, the 32-year-old shared a jubilant snap of himself and Team UK. Captioning the photo, he wrote: "Still up in Space, Man!READ: Why Eurovision fans can't stop talking about Meghan Markle's hairSEE: Eurovision's most memorable contestants"Thank you all for blazing with love, positivity and kindness throughout this wild and euphoric experience.A post shared by SAM RYDER (@samhairwolfryder)Sam became a TikTok sensation during the pandemic"We completely felt your support and we so deeply appreciated it.

scored a landslide victory from the televote after performing their song Stefania. While the winning country usually hosts the next year’s competition, doubts have been cast on whether Ukraine will be able to host in 2023 due to the ongoing war with Russia. However, when asked about President Volodymyr Zelensky’s claim that Eurovision will be hosted in Ukraine, Kalush Orchestra star Oleh Psiuk said: ‘If the President said it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen.

LIVE – Updated at 09:28The Eurovision 2022 final proved to be one of the liveliest and most competitive in recent memory. While the atmosphere was still good-humoured, the sheer quality of the 25 countries competing this year presented voters with some tough decisions. Ultimately, though, favourites Ukraine and their entry Kalush Orchestra were crowned the winners, leaving many to wonder if the country will be able to host the contest in 2023.

Kalush Orchestra have shared a powerful video for ‘Stefania’, the song that won them last night’s (May 14) Eurovision Song Contest.The band triumphed over the UK’s Sam Ryder at the Turin ceremony, receiving a massive portion of the public vote.Following the performance, they have shared an official video for ‘Stefania’, which was shot in the cities of Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka and Hostomel, all of which were bombed during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.At the end of the video, a message from the band reads:“This video was filmed in Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka, Hostomel, cities near Kyiv that suffered the horrors of Russian occupation.“Dedicated to the brave Ukrainian people, to the mothers protecting their children, to all those who gave their lives for our freedom.“Every man, every woman, every innocent child.“The war in Ukraine has multiple faces, but it is our mother’s face that keeps our hearts alive in the darkest times.“Stand with Ukraine!”Watch the ‘Stefania’ video below:Speaking to NME this week, frontman Oleh Psiuk explained how their taking part was a “huge responsibility”, given the ongoing war with Russia.“To represent Ukraine in the international arena is always a responsibility, but to represent it during the war is just the highest responsibility possible,” he said.“The song [‘Stefania’] was composed and dedicated to my mother, but after the war the song has acquired lots of nuances because a lot of people are perceiving it as if Ukraine is my mother,” said Psiuk.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has greeted his country’s victory at the Eurovision Song Contest with delight.

The President of Ukraine has announced that he wants to host the next Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine following the country's win. Last night (May 15) Ukraine won the hearts of viewers around the world after the band Kalush Orchestra performed their song Stefania, which has become a popular anthem among Ukrainians during the war.

K.J. Yossman The unspoken question in the run up to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was whether Ukraine would be able to host next spring if they won.Before the event, sources close to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the annual music contest, indicated it was not a situation they were looking forward to grappling with.However, when Ukrainian rappers Kalush Orchestra were announced as the winners in Italy on Saturday night, it became an inevitability.The contest is hosted each year in the country which won the previous year.

K.J. Yossman Ukraine won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Italy on Saturday night. The country was represented by hip hop act Kalush Orchestra with the song “Stefania,” a tribute to lead singer Oleh Psiuk’s mother Stefania, which merges Ukrainian folklore with rap.The U.K.

The results are in, and the winner of Eurovision 2022 has been revealed as Ukraine. Sam Ryder represented the United Kingdom, and it was clear from the off that he was going to score big as twelves were awarded continuously to the UK by countries across Europe. An elated Sam could be seen smiling as at the half way point of voting the UK were still leading with 195 points, but after all the votes were cast it was Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra who scooped the top prize.

The 66th Eurovision song contest is finally here, with another set of musical hopefuls eager to represent their countries and impress both the judges and the public.

posted to his social media pages Saturday as the competition got underway.“I believe that, in the end, this word will be ‘Victory!'” he added — urging viewers to cast their votes for Kalush Orchestra, Ukraine’s representative in the 66-year-old international competition.The hybrid folk-rap band is heavily favored to win for “Stefania,” a tribute to frontman Oleh Psiuk’s mother.The long-running musical extravaganza has pitted acts representing the countries of the European Broadcast Union in a head-to-head battle of the bands since 1956.This year’s show, in Turin, Italy, saw 40 nations fighting for the coveted glass microphone.The competition is known for its over-the-top staging — and for launching the careers of superstars like ABBA and Celine Dion.

The long wait is over and its finally time for the Eurovision final. Plenty of acts have gone on in the first half including bookie favourite Ukraine and their performance has blown away Eurovision viewers. The group Kalush Orchestra performed Stefania representing Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy.This has prompted an emotional response from viewers, especially at the end when the lead singer shouted "Stop the war.

Eurovision Song Contest's grand finale is finally upon us as families up and down the country are preparing for their annual celebrations, but will you be taking part in a drinking game during the show? Here are the rules.The final takes place in Turin, Italy this year, which follows the country's win for the 2020 contest in 2021. With 25 countries getting ready to battle it out one year after Maneskin beat their competitors with their glam rock track, families are more interested in amping up the party atmosphere.

global singing contest. The group combine hip hop with traditional Ukrainian folk music. Kalush Orchestra will be performing their song Stefania - an emotional song that has taken on new meaning since Russia's horrifying invasion of Ukraine.

British bookies are currently offering odds of 7/18 for Ukraine to triumph at this evening’s Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy, with their entry Kalush Orchestra’s distinctive blend of rap and folk music, combined with the country’s current courage in the face of Russian invasion, expected to unite voters across Europe in support.