Ukraine Now 6/4 to Win the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
Author:
Roy Brindley
In December, Ukraine became the first country to announce its challenger for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Two months later, the war-torn country still sits at the top of the betting for the competition that will take place between May 9th and May 13th in Liverpool.
Thirty-seven countries are in the reckoning for the coveted prize. Thirty-one representatives will perform in semi-finals over two nights – May 9th and May 11th – seeking a spot in the 26-act final. Six countries are traditionally fast-tracked into the event centerpiece. These are the defending champions – in 2023 this is Ukraine – plus the ‘big five’.
With huge public support, Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine. ?GettyImages
The ‘big five’ consists of the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Their positioning directly into the grand final is the reward for making the greatest financial contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest’s organizer, the European Broadcast Union.
Where Is the Money for Italy?
Seventeen countries are yet to unveil their song. But of these, five have declared who will perform for them. Amongst this number are Canadian singer La Zarra – who will represent France – and Andrew Lambrou. This Australian singer has been chosen to carry the hopes of Cyprus into the Eurovision battle.
This type of folly is normal when it comes to Eurovision. But what is unusual in 2023 is the lack of significant support for any individual act. Italy produced its representative last weekend when Marco Mengoni landed the Sanremo Music Festival 2023 before 15 million television viewers.
Normally Italy’s Eurovision odds collapse during the immediate aftermath of this show. This year they more than doubled, and the best online betting sites currently offer 25/1 on an Italian victory.
Can Ukraine Fend off Norway?
Ukraine – the country that won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest primarily due to an enormous public vote – has noticeably strengthened in the 2023 betting during the past few weeks. 9/2 at the beginning of February, the country is now top-priced 6/4 with the leading online betting sites.
It appears very few of the songs that have been officially announced appeal to punters. Beyond Ukraine, the most popular country with a released song is Norway. The Scandinavian country is 8/1 to take the contest for the first time since 2009 – and the fourth time in total.
At the televised Melodi Grand Prix – which used a 50/50 combination of public televoting and ten international juries – the nation selected 20-year-old bisexual (allegedly) female artist, Alessandra, to represent them.
You Can Trust Sweden to Shine
If you choose to support Sweden, Finland, or the UK, you will be backing one of three countries that are positioned in the top five of the Eurovision betting. You will also be investing in a country that has yet to reveal details of its artist or song.
Sweden, with its exceptional record in Eurovision – six wins and 13 top-three finishes – always reside towards the head of the competition betting. Seven top-five results during the past decades make the country’s current odds of 6/1 understandable.
This year Sweden will announce its chosen song on March 11th following the conclusion of Melodifestivalen 2023. Of all of Europe’s selection shows, this one is probably the most difficult to win. Some of its 28 contestants have already begun the process of negotiating four heats, semi-finals, and finals over six weeks.
Resultantly, Swedes have already heard (and seen) some of the acts/songs that could arrive in Liverpool for a rendezvous with Eurovision’s first semi-final on May 9th.
Can Finland Dance off with the Prize?
Finns are in a similar position. Its selection show is broadcast live on February 25th. But its seven hopefuls have already taken part in a dress rehearsal show, and videos accompanying their songs are available online.
Unquestionably Finland has some strong candidates, and its eventual representative will be well received. Online polls suggest it could be 17-year-old Keira (she will turn 18 before Eurovision starts) that gets the nod with her track ‘No Business on The Dancefloor’.
As the name suggests, this is a dance track, but it has a catchy chorus – something that always goes down well with Eurovision voters. William Hill sportsbook is well aware of Finland’s potential and prices the country on 8/1. Ladbrokes sportsbook currently quotes a tempting 12/1 – the price is unlikely to last.
Black Sheep Gets What It Is Given
That leaves the UK. Europe’s black sheep country surprised itself when taking the runner-up spot 12 months ago. Given the country finished last in the previous two Eurovision Song Contests and failed to score a single point in 2021, it was an amazing result.
Was 2022’s result a blip? Sam Ryder’s song and performance were impressive and topped the table of jury votes. But the televoters of Europe could be accused of harboring some animosity toward the UK after giving it just 183 points. The score placed it below Spain, Moldova, Serbia, and, of course, Ukraine.
Once again, the UK’s representative will be chosen secretly behind closed doors and announced in March. Given Sweden’s and Italy’s success in using a public selection process with over two dozen candidates, some question the method.
If you believe the BBC will pull a second rabbit out of the bag and Europe’s Eurovision voters have warmed to its estranged non-European brother, maybe the odds of 16/1 are accurate. For now, the UK’s unnamed artist and the unknown song is the fifth favorite to win Eurovision 2023.
