London Vocal Communication Laboratory
As a longstanding and committed Eurovision fan I've enjoyed organising sweepstakes to help friends and colleagues join in the excitement as the contest approaches.
In a bid to make this a tradition, I'm very happy to present the 2025 UCL PALS Eurovision Sweepstake along with my guide to Eurovision 2025. Enjoy!
A sweepstake is like a raffle, where each paying participant is randomly assigned 1 participating country from the Eurovision Song Contest that they can support in the live shows.
Traditionally the format of a sweepstake is "winner takes all", where the holder of the winning country's flag receives the total prize fund. However, our PALS Eurovision Sweepstake 2025 fund will ALL be given to charity: this year the chosen charity is Calthorpe Community Garden in King's Cross.
There will still be prizes of course! Some official ESC2025 memorabilia will be on offer for our eventual winner(s).
A note on rules:
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The sweepstake is open to UCL staff and PhD students.
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Entry requires a £2 donation to our chosen charity.
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Each participant can enter only once - let's share out the fun! - but feel free to donate more than the minimum if you wish.
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The aim is to assign all 37 participating countries. If there's greater demand, we'll start another round!
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Countries are assigned randomly, using a state-of-the-art Excel spreadsheet... No requests please!
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If you participate, I will assume you're happy for your name, UCL dept, and assigned country to be listed on this page and in internal UCL communications about the sweepstake.
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Any questions: this link will generate a Query email to me
Happy with all that? Let's do this!
Step 1: Donate £2 or more to my PayPal personal account ("friends & family" to avoid fees) using the button below. Participation is limited to 1 country per entrant. Come back here when you're done!
Step 2: Use this link to email me from your UCL email address and confirm your donation. I need this because I might not know who you are from your PayPal details alone.
(If the link doesn't bring up your UCL mail app, just send me an email with the subject line: "ESC Sweepstake: I've donated!")
Step 3: I will email you @ UCL with your country assignment, and add your name to the Sweepstake Matrix below.
Step 4: If you haven't done so already: It's time to check out the songs! Read my guide to Semifinal 1, Semifinal 2, and the Grand Final below.
Step 5: Tune in to support your country in the Semifinals (Tues 13th and Thurs 15th May) and/or Grand Final (Sat 17th May)! You can watch all three shows live on the BBC, or on the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube Channel.
Step 6: I'll be in touch with all participants to announce the winners and prizes on Monday 19th May.
Albania (SF1)
Drawn by:
Alicia Burton
(UCLIC)
Austria (SF2)
Drawn by:
Benji Keirle
(PALS)
Croatia (SF1)
Drawn by:
Carolyn McGettigan
(SHaPS)
Denmark (SF2)
Drawn by:
France (GF)
Drawn by:
Valerie Hazan
(SHaPS)
Greece (SF2)
Drawn by:
David Vinson
(EP)
Israel (SF2)
Drawn by:
Sam Solomon
(EP)
Lithuania (SF2)
Drawn by:
Charlie Adam
(EP)
Montenegro (SF2)
Drawn by:
Nadine Lavan
(SHaPS)
Poland (SF1)
Drawn by:
Yuhan Huang
(SHaPS)
Serbia (SF2)
Drawn by:
Sweden (SF1)
Drawn by:
Caroline Newton
(LangCog)
Armenia (SF2)
Drawn by:
Ziyun Zhang
(SHaPS)
Drawn by:
Casey MacKenzie Johnson
(ICN)
Cyprus (SF1)
Drawn by:
Estonia (SF1)
Drawn by:
Avili Feese
(Brain Sciences)
Georgia (SF2)
Drawn by:
Zoe Upton
(CBC)
Iceland (SF1)
Drawn by:
Michel Belyk
(SHaPS)
Italy (GF)
Drawn by:
Kate Shobbrook
(LangCog)
Luxembourg (SF2)
Drawn by:
Victor Rosi
(SHaPS)
Netherlands (SF1)
Drawn by:
Leon Culloty
(LangCog)
Portugal (SF1)
Drawn by:
Katrina Scior
(CEHP)
Slovenia (SF1)
Drawn by:
Clare Press
(EP)
Switzerland (GF)
Drawn by:
Patti Adank
(SHaPS)
Australia (SF2)
Drawn by:
Emma Holmes
(SHaPS)
Belgium (SF1)
Drawn by:
Carolina Villegas Martinez
(CEHP)
Czechia (SF2)
Drawn by:
Anna Casey
(LangCog)
Finland (SF2)
Drawn by:
Essi Viding
(CEHP)
Germany (GF)
Drawn by:
Jo Taylor
(LangCog)
Ireland (SF2)
Drawn by:
Peter Fonagy
(PALS)
Latvia (SF2)
Drawn by:
Gavin Morgan
(CEHP)
Malta (SF2)
Drawn by:
Iona Robinson
(PALS)
Norway (SF1)
Drawn by:
San Marino (SF1)
Drawn by:
Guilherme Pacheco Fiorini
(CEHP)
Spain (GF)
Drawn by:
Saloni Krishnan
(LangCog)
Ukraine (SF1)
Drawn by:
Joanna Holeniewska
(EP)
United Kingdom (GF)
Drawn by:
Steven Bloch
(LangCog)
The Background:
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual televised song contest comprising entries from across Europe (and some others... you'll see). It was conceived as a means of bringing together the nations of Europe following World War II - the first contest took place in 1956 and almost 70 years later it is still going strong. Previous Eurovision winners include ABBA and Celine Dion, and in very recent years the contest has launched the careers of artists such as the Italian band Måneskin.
If you're new to the UK/Europe, you may well have heard people mock the Eurovision (or "ESC") for being little more than a parade of kitsch outfits, silly dancing, and poor musical taste. Even the most ardent devotee will admit that the contest has had its share of fun and frills - but whether you're in it for the bingo / drinking games (key change! pyrotechnics! piano on fire!) or you're 100% there for the music, there's no denying the contest's power to make people feel good.
How Eurovision 2025 works:
Q: Where and when is Eurovision 2025?
The Eurovision is usually hosted by the country that won the previous year's contest, and so we're off to Basel, Switzerland in 2025. There are 3 live television shows: 2 semifinals (Tues 13th May and Thurs 15th May at 8PM BST / 9PM CEST) and 1 Grand Final (Saturday 17th May at 8PM BST / 9PM CEST).
Q: What do you mean there's "semifinals"?
The drawing and re-drawing of national boundaries, plus the enthusiasm of recent additions like Azerbaijan and Australia, has made a participant list too long to do Eurovision in only 1 night.
The contest now comprises THREE live broadcasts: two semifinals (held this year on Tuesday 13th May and Thursday 15th May) and the Grand Final (this year on Saturday 17th May). More viewing fun for all of us!
Based on votes from the viewing public, 10 songs progress from each semifinal to the Grand Final (there are 15 songs in Semifinal 1 and 16 songs in Semifinal 2).
These 20 songs join the "Big 5" countries of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, plus the previous year's winner, in Saturday's Grand Final.
Q: Hang on, what's so special about the "Big 5"?
It's something to do with these countries making larger financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). For a time this was getting increasingly controversial given a run of very poor entries results for countries like UK and Germany. Currently we're in a bit of an "it's not right, but it's ok" territory. Unclear how long the arrangement will last into the future.
Q: What did you say about Australia?
Australia has been a participant in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2015. They're not the only participating nations from outside continental and/or political definitions of Europe (hello, UK!): Israel has been a longstanding participant, as was Turkey until 2012, and other nations like Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to participate.
Q: How do the qualifiers and winner get selected?
The Eurovision voting mechanism has seen many twists and turns over the years. In the last couple of decades we've seen a swing from all-jury voting to 100% public (tele)votes, to a more recent 50:50 weighting of the two. As the show has become an even bigger global event, the EBU constantly adjusts to make the voting as entertaining and exciting as possible. Here's the rundown:
Some classic info that will perhaps never change:
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Awarded votes will take a classic format, where each voting audience/jury will award a total of 58 points to their top 10 ranked songs. The votes available for 10th - 1st ranked songs are 1-8, 10, and 12 ("douze points").
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Jury/Audience members cannot vote for their own country.
Semifinal outcomes are determined by votes from the viewing audiences:
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Semifinal 1 votes will come from viewers in the 15 participating countries plus viewers in Italy, Spain, and Switzerland.
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Semifinal 2 votes will come from viewers in the 16 participating countries plus viewers in France, Germany, and United Kingdom
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There are numerous voting formats available: the Eurovision Song Contest App, telephone and/or SMS. Check the official voting hub for more info on the night.
The Grand Final results will be determined by a ~50:50 split of jury and audience votes:
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Votes will come from all 37 participating countries PLUS a "Rest of the World" (ROTW) audience vote.
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Audiences per participating country and from a single ROTW audience will each contribute 1-8, 10, and 12 points to their top 10 ranked songs, based on number of votes received per song. With 38 voting audiences in total, this gives a total of 2,204 points.
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Juries per participating country comprise 5 "industry experts" from that country. Each jury member ranks all 26 songs from first to last, and their scores are determined based on an exponentially decreasing weighting from 12 points. These weighted scores then get summed across the 5 jury members and the top 10 scoring songs per jury are eventually awarded the 1-8, 10, and 12 points. With 37 voting juries in total, this gives a total of 2,146 votes. Note that the jury members decide their rankings ahead of time, based on the Second Dress Rehearsal on Friday 16th May.
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In the voting sequence during the live Grand Final Show:
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Jury votes are announced first. You'll see each of the 37 participating countries' representative ("This is Warsaw calling" and whatnot) appearing onscreen to deliver their points, with a verbal announcement of their "douze points". Note that the EBU will "choreograph" the order in which the national juries appear in the sequence to make it more exciting. So if the first 7 juries in a row give e.g. 12 points to Greece, this is not necessarily indicative of the final standings.
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After all the juries deliver their votes you will see the standings based on just under 50% of the available points.
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Then the Audience votes are announced as an aggregate result. The live show hosts will start with the lowest-ranked country following the Jury vote, and work their way up the table announcing the aggregate number of votes for each country as they go. This makes it exciting because if there are discrepancies between Audience and Jury rankings then the eventual winner can become very tough to call.
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Q: But what about block/neighbourly voting? That's why the UK never wins!
Whether regional preferences / diaspora votes loom larger with audience-only semifinal voting this year remains to be seen, but in the end neighbourly voting alone will not push a song to victory. Re UK: See 2022: The best songs and performances will always do well.
Q: Anything else I should know?
Yes! Always! Here's some bits that you can use to impress your pals/PALS on the night:
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All songs must be no longer than 3 minutes.
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All lead vocals, or "lead dubs" (i.e. someone doubling the lead vocal on/offstage) must be live
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Backing vocals may be recorded
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Songs can be in any language - no more requirements to sing in official languages of the participating countries.
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No more than 6 people onstage during the song.
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All performers must be at least 16 years old on the day when they take to the stage
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No live animals allowed!
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No live instruments allowed - it's air guitar/drums/fiddle/flute all the way. ESC hasn't had a live orchestra since 1999.
The Songs
Below you can find embedded videos for Semifinal 1, Semifinal 2, and pre-qualified Grand Final ("Big 6") songs.
I've added some notes about each one, based on my impressions of the songs, artists, and performers prior to the rehearsals in Basel. Crucially, once the artists arrive at the contest venue for rehearsals, the odds of success can really shuffle around!
KEY:
🏆 Possible winner 👀 One to watch ⛔ Probable non-qualifier
🚽 Loo break song 🪩 Floor filler / bop 😮 High notes
🤪 "ESC is so silly" 💘 Ballad / belter 🕺 Battle of the Boys
Semifinal 1
Song 1: Iceland 🪩
If you're playing a drinking game, you'll be starting early in Semifinal 1 - we already have the first fiddles of the night! This is classic eurodance schlagery shouting. Catchy carry-on, brought to you by Jedward with flatter hair.
Song 2: Poland 🤪 😮
Our first returning artist of 2025! Justyna last appeared on a Eurovision stage in Dublin, 1995 and she has retained all of her vocal talent 30 years on. This song is not very original, but the performance has EVERYTHING. Expect incredible vocals, fiddle playing (of course! drink!), possible flying through the air with simultaneous sky-high falsetto, and about 5 dance breaks showcasing very aggressive team aerobics.
Song 3: Slovenia 💘 🚽 ⛔
The artist, Klemen, is well-known in Slovenia for his comedic impressions of previous Eurovision stars. This song is a complete swerve: a balladic tribute to his wife and her recovery from serious illness. It is not for me, at all, and I would say it should be a non-qualifier for being a bit dull musically and having very hammy lyrics. But in a year filled with high energy and boom bang-a-bang, who knows. Nonetheless, my recommendation is to grab an early loo break.
Song 4: Estonia 🤪
Be warned that there is a LOT of carry-on in this year's contest. This song is about a fictional Italian crook-type figure, sung mainly in English with lots of Italian words thrown in for puns and whatnot. Italian people have been rightly upset. It's silly and earwormy, and it's the kind of thing that people who think Eurovision is daft nonsense will completely love.
Song 5: Ukraine 😮
This is a different kind of entry from Ukraine, who have been bringing their A game to the contest for some years. Ziferblat are a band fronted by twin brothers in Divine Comedy type styling, bringing you some exceptionally high notes and a likely overall pleasant performance. In peaceful times this might have been a non-qualification risk for Ukraine, but given the likely strong audience support it's almost impossible that this will miss the grand final.
Song 6: Sweden 🏆 🤪 🪩
It's Sweden, it's silly, it's sauna. Finnish band KAJ wear matching grey suits and sing about how great sauna is, in an onstage sauna. For any Irish readers, one of them looks disturbingly like Ryan Tubridy. At the time of writing, I think this is looking very good for Sweden's 8th win, putting them ahead of Ireland in the all-time ESC leaderboard. We might just need to let it happen.
Song 7: Portugal 🚽⛔
Portugal have had a great run in ESC since their stunning victory in 2017. This year they've gone very low key with this summery, mid-tempo song from band NAPA. The song is about feelings of dislocation when leaving home (specifically, Madeira) for a life in the city - a similar theme to Croatia's (very much not low-key) song of 2024. As it's sung entirely in Portuguese, however, I'm not sure the message will come across to the viewing audience. A likely non-qualifier.
Song 8: Norway 🕺
We have a lot of pop/dance boy soloists in 2025, and here's your first. Kyle Alessandro sings "Lighter", a highly derivative empowerment stomp including every kind of fire / fiery synonym available to a lyricist with 3 mins to fill. That said, expect a polished performance and at least 1 carefully crafted dance break (a hallmark of the post-Chanel era). One of the more likely qualifiers in this densely populated category.
Song 9: Belgium 🪩 👀 🕺 😮
As with Norway, this is also a dance-y track with a boy vocalist, but for me it manages to be overall more impactful. Performer Red Sebastian has very striking crimson hair and clothing that will make him memorable, and has coped very well vocally in live preview shows. This is one of many songs in 2025 to feature oh-so-high singing (see also Austria, Poland, Ukraine...) - not a new thing for ESC, but this particular explosion of falsetto moments is likely thanks to last year's winner. It's doing very well in the betting odds.
Song 10: Azerbaijan
This is a bit of a departure for Azerbaijan - a jolly, mid/up-tempo number with something a bit Bruno Mars-y to the vocals. Expect a similar mood to the nice sweater people from Malta in 2023.
Song 11: San Marino 🪩 ⛔
Ok, bear with me for this one. This song was used this year as the theme music for the hugely popular Italian San Remo Song Festival, which ultimately chooses the ESC artist for Italy. Everyone who watched that contest heard this song at the beginning and end of every ad break for a week. And then San Marino picked it to represent them in ESC. It's like a 90s football team's World Cup song and it has a catchy, summery feel. Not sure that will be enough for a grand final place.
Song 12: Albania 👀
This duo from Albania are bringing something very different. An electronic mid-tempo number sung in Albanian with some traditional elements. At first glance they might seem like a pretty eccentric pairing but this song and act are getting some decent traction in the betting odds. Possible top 10 finish.
Song 13: Netherlands 👀
Here comes the first of SIX songs with lyrics partially or wholly in French. This is a very classic francophone pop song with a simple and catchy melody. Expect it to attract a decent number of jury votes, but perhaps not so many from the audience.
Song 14: Croatia 🕺 🚽 ⛔
Your next contestant in the battle of the boys. This song is about revenge via a poisonous cake. These are 3 minutes you won't get back - at least get a loo break or a cuppa out of them.
Song 15: Cyprus 🕺 ⛔
One more for the battle of the boys! This is less painful than Croatia and may be more amusing than Norway (there are pre-contest rumours of onstage flying, so). Possible NQ.
Semifinal 2
Song 1: Australia 🤪
Go-Jo is one of them Tik-Tokkers and has been chosen to represent Australia in ESC. The song, "Milkshake Man", is dripping with innuendo and is your second number of this year to contain some French-language lyrics (albeit just 1 line). The performer is energetic and maybe with a fun staging to open the show this will grab enough votes to qualify.
Song 2: Montenegro 💘 ⛔
Big Balkan Ballads are becoming a bit thinner on the ground these days, not helped by several of the region's countries no longer having the funds to compete at ESC (a very frustrating development as the show has become ever more turbo-charged in recent years). This is in a classic style, with a gravelly vocal and plenty of drama. Expect a great performance but maybe not a qualification.
Song 3: Ireland 🤪 🪩
So, you know how I told you that Sweden is being represented by a Finnish band, and San Marino's song is the theme tune from Italy's national selection show? Well. This year Ireland is being represented by Norwegian artist EMMY and her brother. This song is a catchy bop about Laika, the first dog in space. Indulge in your "Eurovision is so tacky and stupid" critiques, but beware the stealthy attack of some pretty heartbreaking lyrics.
Song 4: Latvia 🤪 ⛔
Elements of this performance will likely come off as a bit wacky to fresh eyes, but you can also look forward to great 6-part vocals and some powerful earwormery ("bur man bur man bur man bur man!"). May sadly be a non-qualifier in what is quite a strong semifinal.
Song 5: Armenia 🚽
If you don't want to be shouted at for 3 minutes then treat yourself to a little break. I find this to song to be very derivative and repetitive. It's a shame, because their national final selection had plenty of better songs on offer.
Song 6: Austria 🏆 😮😮😮😮😮😮
Your first possible winner in the semifinal 2 field. This is part ballad, part high energy bop, sung by a countertenor - so expect some highhhh nooooootes and operatic vocals. Lyrically, it's doing everything with water that Norway does with fire, and not in a good way. This is very highly favoured in the betting odds. I'm not so sure about it - similarities with Belgium could split the vote.
Song 7: Greece 💘 👀
This is a very solid low/mid-tempo ballad from Greece. Expect it to be well sung and to feel distinctly classy amidst the rest of the pack. An easy qualifier, also possibly looking good for an overall top 10 finish.
Song 8: Lithuania
For something really different, this is a moody band of young people singing something sort of grungey and repetitive, but doing it well. A good chance to qualify given there's not many bands on show this year.
Song 9: Malta 🤪 🪩 👀
Tell your friends and associates who snob on ESC: this song was discussed on BBC Newsnight, no less! The song, now called "Serving", used to be called "Serving Kant". Kant is not a reference to the philosopher: It means "singing" in Maltese and it's pronounced to rhyme with "hunt". On the night, expect enthusiastic crowd participation in completing the missing word. This is a very big bop and the performer is a fantastic singer with plenty of wit and sass. A likely qualifier.
Song 10: Georgia ⛔
This song was chosen quite late in the process for 2025 and as such it hasn't really won the hearts of ESC fans. It's got bits of traditional Georgian influence as well as some aspects of easy jazz, and overall feels a bit choppy in style. Sung in Georgian and English.
Song 11: Denmark 🪩 💘 ⛔
This is full-on europop stomp and belt from start to finish. Reminiscent of Loreen's winning songs, and very much in the style of many a polished number from Melodifestivalen (Sweden's national selection). Sissal is an incredible singer and has been a good sport in the run-up to the contest. HOWEVER, something that I can't quite put my finger on makes me fear this will not pick up enough votes to qualify.
Song 12: Czechia 🏆 🕺 😮
This song is, on the one hand, quite repetitive and middle-of-the-road. On the other, it's got a lot of key 2025 ingredients: it's not a bop but it's still made room for a dance break, we've got yet another boy soloist but spared the silliness of poison cakes and watery puns, it's got some high notes but they don't overwhelm the song. This has got jury points all over it, and if there's not a common top choice across the audience and juries, it might just sneak through for the overall win.
Song 13: Luxembourg ⛔
Our French lyrics tally is now at 4 songs, with this fun pop tribute to former Luxembourg winner France Gall and her song "Poupée de cire, poupée de son". It will be bright and colourful but in the end could come across as a bit childish (and we already have Laika Party from Ireland for those points). Likely non-qualifier.
Song 14: Israel 👀 💘
More French lyrics! Israel did very well last year with a ballad, and this one - sung in English, French, and Hebrew - is in a similar vein. Expect this to qualify and gain a top 10 or even top 5 finish in the grand final.
Song 15: Serbia 💘 🚽
I do love a Balkan ballad, and this one is very much in the classic genre. But it's just too much. Overwrought, and in the end pretty dated with a tacky guitar riff midway through and a performer who appreciates himself very much. Possibly not enough to qualify this year. I'd probably recommend a loo/fridge/tea break now, so you don't miss what's coming next (pun very much intended).
Song 16: Finland 🤪 🪩 👀
The title of this song is in German. It's called "ICH KOMME" and the remaining Finnish lyrics apparently make the interpretation quite clear. Erika Vikman is great fun and the performance is hilarious and maddening. Is there room for both Malta and Finland in the grand final? Yes.
Grand Final pre-qualifiers (the "Big Six")
The full running order for the Grand Final won't be known until after the full list of semifinal qualifiers is known. So for now, here's an introduction to the "Big 6" automatic qualifiers.
France 💘 🏆
In a year that's short on the serious, the ESC fandom was so desperate for something with substance that the betting odds had France at the very top before the song was even released. Six Nations fans will likely not recall the live première during half-time at the grand final in the Stade de France: It's a tribute to Louane's mother, who died a decade ago, and it's melodically and lyrically (I'm told) solid. Louane is a seasoned performer, and a pretty big deal in France. It would be wonderful to see the contest go back to France after all these years, but I think the Swedish sauna will prevail. Also: beware the very final "maman", which may come as a weird surprise.
Germany 🪩
This song was chosen via a very lengthy televised selection process overseen by German Eurovision and pop culture legend, Stefan Raab (all your favourite craaaazzzzyyy German entries were down to him, as well as their winning act in 2010). Brother-and-sister duo Abor & Tynna were chosen with their German-language bop, "Baller". It's a post-breakup banger - the brother plays a fancy electric cello and the sister sings and it's a lot of fun. BUT unfortunately the live performances have been dogged by concerns about Tynna's singing and they've recently had to cancel several live appearances due to laryngitis. With all of those concerns, we may well see Germany tumble right to the bottom of the scoreboard yet again.
Italy 👀
Italy always brings something distinct to the contest. Traditionally, the entry is selected via the world-famous San Remo song contest (the original inspo for Eurovision itself). The winner of San Remo is not obliged to go to ESC but in recent years they have tended to accept the ticket - however, this year the invitation was declined and pass to second-placed Luca Corsi. Luca is a very distinctive performer and the song is quite different, giving a kind of soft pop-glam-rock vibe. It's not very immediate, which could harm chances with the audience vote, but I think this will cut through the noise to hoover up plenty of jury votes.
Spain 🪩
I guess this is a good bop, and performer Melody really does give it her all. Melody was a child star in Spain and is SO VERY EXCITED to be back. I personally find this performance to be hideously overcooked, and I'm sorry that something more interesting wasn't chosen from the Spanish national final. Expect this to do quite badly on the night.
Switzerland 💘
This is a very sweet ballad, and the sixth of the contest sung in French. It's always a tough gig for the host country, trying to balance the need to put on a good show while not doing well enough to secure back-to-back wins (and the expense of putting on another Eurovision). I am very fond of this song but I fear it's so inoffensive as to be completely forgettable. Possible bottom 5.
United Kingdom 💘
This song is in the belt rather than ballad category. Remember Monday are a country-pop trio who sing very, very well with West End clarity and tight harmonies - think Wilson Phillips (no, really) This song is part musical theatre, part "this sounds a bit like Queen", with a dash of Taylor Swift post-breakup empowerment stuff. It's quite odd musically, but the vocals will be on point and the band have been really good sports on the pre-contest promotional circuit. Keeping fingers crossed that they can have a UK result more like 2022 than 2024 (and every other year in living memory).