Sweden, Austria, Israel Lead Eurovision 2025 Final in Basel Amid Gaza Protests

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 grand final is set to take place in Basel, Switzerland, featuring top contenders from across Europe and beyond. Sweden's trio KAJ, known for their catchy and humorous sauna-themed song "Bara Bada Bastu," is the bookmakers' favorite, with a 42 percent chance of winning, potentially making Sweden the most successful country in Eurovision history. Other notable finalists include Austria's operatic JJ with "Wasted Love," Israel's Yuval Raphael singing the ballad "New Day Will Rise," and Finland's Erika Vikman with the innuendo-laden German language song "Ich Komme." The UK is represented by the girl group Remember Monday, who aim to challenge the favorites with their powerful harmonies. The winner will be determined by a combination of votes from national juries, viewers across 26 participating countries, and a rest of the world poll. The event has also been marked by political tensions and protests in Basel, with calls for boycotts due to Israel's participation amid ongoing conflicts.