Austria’s JJ Triumphs at Eurovision 2025 With “Wasted Love” Amid Tense Finale in Basel

Austria claimed its third Eurovision Song Contest victory on Saturday night as classically trained countertenor JJ captivated Europe with his operatic ballad “Wasted Love,” narrowly edging out Israel in a dramatic and politically charged grand final in Basel, Switzerland.

A Night of High Drama and Showmanship

JJ, whose real name is Johannes Pietsch, delivered a standout performance that blended soaring operatic vocals with modern club beats. The staging was equally striking, featuring a monochrome storm-at-sea motif in which JJ clung to a mast on a virtual boat, heightening the sense of emotional peril and resilience. The performance earned Austria 436 points-258 from national juries and 178 from public televoting-securing victory over 25 other countries.

Israel’s Yuval Raphael finished in a close second with her empowering anthem “New Day Will Rise,” topping the televote in 13 countries and drawing significant public support. Estonia’s Tommy Cash rounded out the top three with “Espresso Macchiato,” while Sweden’s KAJ, a pre-contest favorite, landed in fourth place.

Geopolitical Tensions and Protests

The 69th edition of Eurovision was marked by palpable geopolitical tensions. Pro-Palestinian protests outside the arena and heated debate over Israel’s participation amid ongoing conflict in Gaza cast a shadow over the festivities. Despite the controversy, the event unfolded as a celebration of music and diversity, with artists and fans from across the continent uniting in Basel.

UK’s Remember Monday and Other Highlights

The United Kingdom’s entry, Remember Monday, performed a West End-inspired ballad but placed 19th with 88 points, squeezed in the running order just before Austria’s powerhouse performance. Switzerland’s Zoë Më, who at one point led the jury vote, ultimately finished tenth after receiving no points from the public.

Austrian Victory and Eurovision 2026

JJ’s win marks Austria’s first Eurovision triumph since Conchita Wurst’s iconic victory in 2014. The singer, currently performing at the Vienna State Opera and inspired by Wurst, described the moment as “beyond my wildest dreams”. With this win, Austria will host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026, promising another spectacular celebration of music and culture.

Final Eurovision 2025 Top 5

Rank	Country	Artist	Song	Points
1	Austria	JJ	Wasted Love	436
2	Israel	Yuval Raphael	New Day Will Rise	357
3	Estonia	Tommy Cash	Espresso Macchiato	356
4	Sweden	KAJ	Bara Bada Bastu	321
5	Italy	Lucio Corsi	-	256

As the confetti settled in Basel, JJ’s victory was hailed as a testament to the enduring power of music to unite, inspire, and transcend borders-even in the face of division and uncertainty.