Austria has emerged triumphant in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, held last night in Copenhagen, capturing the hearts—and votes—of millions with a raw, emotionally-charged ballad titled “Wasted Love.”
The stirring performance, delivered by 24-year-old Viennese singer Elara Schaller, proved irresistible to both juries and televoters, propelling the Alpine nation to the top of Europe’s most bombastic musical spectacle.
In a year rife with glitter, pyrotechnics, and politically-tinged performances, Austria’s entry stood apart. No lasers. No costume changes. Just a spotlight, a piano, and a voice that cut through the noise with haunting precision. “Wasted Love”is a song of heartbreak and quiet resilience—an unusual formula, perhaps, for a contest better known for key changes and kinetic choreography. And yet, it worked.
A Quiet Triumph in a Loud Contest
“It feels surreal,” Schaller told reporters after the show, clutching the iconic crystal microphone trophy with tears in her eyes. “I wrote this song in my bedroom during a time of real sadness. To see it touch so many people, on such a scale—it means everything.”
Austria’s win marks its third Eurovision victory, following Udo Jürgens’ 1966 classic Merci, Chérie and Conchita Wurst’s unforgettable 2014 anthem Rise Like a Phoenix. But this year’s triumph is arguably the most understated—and, perhaps, the most genuine.
In a competition increasingly shaped by geopolitics and strategic voting blocs, Schaller’s success felt like a reminder of Eurovision’s original spirit: unity through music. The song’s minimalist staging and poignant lyrics stood in stark contrast to the more theatrical offerings from countries such as Finland and Moldova, which featured dancing robots and, in one case, a man dressed as a medieval goat.
Britain Flatlines—Again
Meanwhile, Britain’s perennial struggle with Eurovision continued, with our own entry—a synth-pop ditty titled “Laser Hearts” by emerging artist Talia Ray—crashing to a dismal 22nd place out of 26. Despite a slick production and an energetic vocal, the performance failed to ignite support either at home or abroad.
The UK jury awarded its coveted 12 points to Ireland, whose folk-infused ballad came fifth overall. But once again, British Eurovision hopes were dashed by lukewarm European affection and a persistent sense that we are playing a very different game from our continental neighbours.
There will no doubt be renewed calls for a shake-up of the BBC’s Eurovision selection process, which continues to fall short of delivering a credible competitive entry. One senior figure at the broadcaster described last night’s result as “disappointing but predictable.”
Political Undertones
As is often the case with Eurovision, geopolitics hovered just beneath the surface. Russia—still banned from the contest following its invasion of Ukraine—was once again absent. Ukraine, for its part, delivered a powerful entry titled “Still Standing,” which placed fourth and received strong diaspora support.
Israel’s participation drew scattered protests in Copenhagen and beyond, though organisers were quick to stress the non-political nature of the event. Iceland’s entry, a raucous feminist punk track, featured subtle messages of solidarity with Gaza, while France’s chanson-style performance included lyrics some interpreted as veiled critiques of domestic politics.
But Austria’s win, above all, offered a kind of Eurovision reset—less glitter, more heart. It was a reminder that, occasionally, amid the pyrotechnic pomp, a simple, well-sung song can still carry the day.
A New Star is Born
Born and raised in Vienna, Elara Schaller is a conservatoire-trained singer-songwriter whose influences range from Adele to Schubert. Prior to Eurovision, she had released just one EP and performed mostly in small Viennese venues. That will now change—dramatically.
Streaming platforms were flooded within minutes of her win, with “Wasted Love” climbing to No.1 on iTunes across much of central and eastern Europe by early Sunday morning. Her label, Universal Music Austria, confirmed it had already received tour requests from a dozen countries.
“We always believed in Elara,” said Markus Hofer, her manager. “But we never imagined this. This is lightning in a bottle.”
Looking Ahead
The victory means Austria will now host next year’s contest, most likely in Vienna—though Salzburg and Graz are also in contention. The Austrian Chancellor, speaking to national broadcaster ORF, hailed Schaller’s success as “a proud moment for our nation and a celebration of the power of music.”
For Eurovision aficionados, the win is a welcome surprise. For Austria, it is a cultural high note. And for Schaller, it is just the beginning.
In a contest known for its spectacle, Austria won by whispering while others shouted. Europe listened. And Europe loved it.
