Singer Loreen performing on behalf of Sweden celebrates with the trophy after winning the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2023 on May 14, 2023 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, northern England.
(PHOTO / AFP)
LIVERPOOL, England - Sweden's Loreen won Eurovision 2023 with the song Tattoo in Liverpool, northern England, on Saturday, becoming the first woman to triumph twice in the contest.
Finland's Käärijä, a green-bolero-sleeved rapper, came second. He won the viewer vote with Cha Cha Cha, but it was not enough to overtake Loreen's lead after the result from the juries in the 37 participating countries.
The 26 acts in the final spanned musical styles from ballads to heavy rock to rap, and included a handful of bizarre performances that the contest is renowned for
"I am seriously overwhelmed," Loreen told reporters.
Comparing her win to 2012, she said: "It's like coming back to a family."
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Loreen is the only person after Ireland's Johnny Logan to win the contest twice, and her victory puts Sweden level with Ireland as the most successful Eurovision countries, 49 years after Abba's famous victory.
The 67th edition of the musical festival was held in the "City of Pop" on behalf of Ukraine, last year's winner, which was unable to host this year because of Russia's special military operation.
Kalush Orchestra, 2022's winner, mixed video recorded in Ukraine with live performance in Liverpool in an opening sequence that included a cameo appearance from Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, playing the piano.
Sweden's singer Loreen performs after winning the final of the Eurovision Song contest 2023 on May 14, 2023 at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, northern England.
(PHOTO / AFP)
The 26 acts in the final spanned musical styles from ballads to heavy rock to rap, and included a handful of bizarre performances that the contest is renowned for.
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Germany finished bottom of the table, just behind Britain, but no country received the dreaded "nul points."
