Finland’s Eurovision entry Käärijä has proved an early favourite to win with fans watching at home.
This year’s instalment of the contest is currently taking place in Liverpool. While Ukraine won last year and would normally host under the rules of the competition, the ongoing political conflict meant it was held in the UK, who were runners up last year with Sam Ryder.
However, the opening segment of the final was dedicated to Ukraine, with their 2022 entry Kalush Orchestra opening the contest with an emotive rendition of their winning song, ‘Stefania’.
The opening also saw the band joined by musicians and famous figures from afar. During one segment of the song, it cut to a clip of Ryder playing guitar on the song from on top of Liverpool’s Liver Building.
Other contributions via video included ones from Joss Stone, Miss Banks, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Princess of Wales, who played piano on the song.
After this, the finalists started to perform, and Finland’s Käärijä proved an early favourite with fans for his upbeat dance track, ‘Cha Cha Cha’.
“Fucking bonkers and brilliant”, one fan wrote, with another adding: “The Eurovision village went wild for Finland…biggest reaction of the night so far.”
You can watch the performance and see some more of the fan reaction below:
Watching #EUROVISION on delay, right now transfixed by Finland CHA CHA CHACHACHA CHA CHAAAA
— Sarah Phelps (@PhelpsieSarah) May 13, 2023
I think we have our winner. Finland. #Eurovision
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) May 13, 2023
Finland
Cha cha cha 💚💜
Yes yes yes 👍🏼😘😂
Now this is Eurovision….mental & brilliant….❤️❤️❤️❤️— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) May 13, 2023
That moment you realise the alcohol has kicked in.#Finland #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/jnzQepyADH
— Chris McBride 🇺🇦 (@McChris85) May 13, 2023
✅Oompa Loompa dance.
✅Legion of Doom costume.
✅Human centipede.Finland for me. #Eurovision #BinfaceSpeaks pic.twitter.com/nY7AyfYm7i
— Count Binface (@CountBinface) May 13, 2023
FINLAND!!! Finally, the type of batshit content we’re all here for. Glorious 😂 👏🏻🔥 🇫🇮 #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/I5rVXP0bRv
— Leanne McGrath (@LeaMcGrath1) May 13, 2023
The press room has gone mad for #Finland #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/BFg0rG7ejg
— Owen Arands (@OwenArandz) May 13, 2023
The crowd listening to Finland #Eurovision #Eurovision2023 pic.twitter.com/Yz25CaaxyR
— Alex (@alexr_241) May 13, 2023
Finland has to win.
Fucking bonkers and brilliant.
Cha cha chaaaaaa! #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/vhC7EBh66p
— Jason Reid (@JasonReidUK) May 13, 2023
we’ve just witnessed Eurovision history. Finland is a huge contender to win this year #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/L6MjRV4gJg
— Luis Fuster (@luisgfuster) May 13, 2023
Sweden is currently favourite to win with Loreen’s song ‘Tattoo’, which has odds listed as 4/9 on bet365. If she were to win, she would become the first ever woman to win Eurovision twice, following her victory in 2012 with the track ‘Euphoria’. Hot on her heels and listed as the second most likely to take the crown for the 2023 instalment is Finland.
Finland remains second place in the final odds, coming in at 5/2 according to bet365. Ukraine follows up and remains with an 8/1 chance, while France is at 14/1, Israel and Spain are on par for the fourth spot – all listed as 14/1.
Representing the UK this year is 25-year-old Mae Muller, who will be making a bid for the victory with her track ‘I Wrote A Song’. As per bet365, she currently stands in in the top ten, with odds of 40/1.
Keep checking back on nme.com for more Eurovision updates