Austria Wins Eurovision 2025 With Narrow Victory Over Israel

Austria won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel, Switzerland, with 24-year-old Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, performing the operatic electro-ballad "Wasted Love." The song, co-written by JJ and notable for its emotional depth and blend of classical and electronic elements, explores themes of unrequited love and heartbreak. JJ received 436 points, narrowly surpassing Israel's Yuval Raphael, who finished second with 357 points despite winning the public vote. Estonia and Sweden placed third and fourth respectively, while the UK came in 19th for the second consecutive year with zero public votes. The contest was marked by tension and controversy, including protests related to Israel's participation due to its military actions in Gaza. JJ, a classically trained countertenor at the Vienna State Opera, expressed gratitude and emphasized love's power during his victory speech, inspired in part by Austria's previous Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst.