Israel has won the Eurovision Song Content 2018 in Lisbon.
Netta Barzilai’s single Toy was a hot favourite from the outset.
Israel first competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973 – and the country has already triumphed three times.
"I'm so happy, thanks for choosing difference, thank you for celebrating diversity" #Netta #Israel #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/HdaXXvXeyr
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) May 12, 2018
She beat off stiff competition from Cyprus’s Eleni Foureira – her song Fuego was a HUGE hit with Europe music fans – as well as with the Irish jury who allocated her the full 12 points.
https://twitter.com/ayeayefuego/status/995418226426294273
A total of 26 countries had battled it out on Saturday night; Ireland’s own Ryan O’Shaughnessy finished respectably in 16th place.
.@NickyByrne giving the Irish points, our 12 points go to….Cyprus! #Eurovision #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/0R5mjqPc5p
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) May 12, 2018
Eleni had been a favourite going into the competition, with a spokesperson for the bookmakers, John Hill, noting in advance: “There has been a huge gamble behind Cyprus winning Eurovision for a number of weeks and support behind Eleni Foureira is showing no sign of stopping heading into the final.”
The 31-year-old is huge star in her native Greece. Originally a member of girlband Mystique, she went solo career when they split in 2009.
After 9 national jury results, Cyprus take the lead! #ESC2018 #AllAboard pic.twitter.com/KxLRYuBSe4
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 12, 2018
Her self-titled solo debut was released in 2010 – giving her a Top 10 hit in To ‘cho (Pom Pom). And she was a panelist on the third season of Greece’s version of So You Think You Can Dance last year.
Still – on the night itself it was Israel who nabbed the title with the ‘Chicken Song’. “Thank you so much for choosing different,” 24-year-old Netta Barzilai said as she won.
Toy was written by Dorn Medal and Stav Beger, who penned the tracks for Israel’s last two entries. The track has already garnered millions of YouTube views.
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