ESC victory for Germany still a long way off

Germany failed to achieve a top ranking at this year's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). The pop duo Abor & Tynna only reached 15th place out of 26 with their song "Baller."

Entertainer Stefan Raab, who was involved with NDR and RTL in the selection of Abor & Tynna, said in an ARD interview after the competition: "I take responsibility. Of course, I always promise that we will win, and that's until proven otherwise; that's the best thing you can do. Otherwise, there's no point going anywhere."

Austria won the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, with trained opera singer JJ and his song "Wasted Love," as announced during the live show in Basel. The song blends classical and pop music. Israel took second place. Celine Dion's anticipated performance was canceled due to the singer's serious chronic illness.

The event—which theoretically aims to be neutral—was overshadowed by political tensions surrounding the Israeli contribution, amid the Gaza War.

On Saturday evening, before and during the Eurovision Song Contest final, several hundred people marched through Basel's city center, demonstrating against Israel's participation. Police blocked the demonstration to prevent people from marching toward the event site.

At times, the police threatened to use water cannons. Some demonstrators lit torches with colorful smoke.

An incident also occurred in the arena when singer Yuval Raphael performed "New Day Will Rise" for Israel. According to the Eurovision Song Contest spokesperson for the Swiss broadcaster SRF, a man and a woman attempted to access the stage at the end of the Israeli performance. The two were prevented from doing so. "One of the two people threw paint, and a crew member was hit." The duo was handed over to the police.

Raphael, who survived the massacre by Islamist terrorists in Israel on October 7, 2023, while attending the Nova Music Festival, said after the competition that even a victory would not have felt like a triumph for her. "We will only achieve a true victory when our hostages are back home. Amen, amen, amen," the 24-year-old said, according to Israeli media. According to Israeli sources, at least 20 hostages are currently being held alive in the Gaza Strip.

Last year, anti-Israel protests overshadowed the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Stricter rules were subsequently announced. At that time, there was also hostility and barbs from participants against the Israeli singer.

At the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Israel received a notable number of audience points, catapulting the participating country from 15th place (according to the jury's vote) to second place. At one point, Israel even held first place until Austria's points were announced at the very end.