Just as the bookmakers expected, Denmark has tonight won the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden – the same country in which it last won the competition in 2000.
Singing the song ‘Only Teardrops’ at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, the 20-year-old entry Emmelie de Forest once again gave a scintillating performance that wowed audiences across the continent. In total, eight countries gave her 12 points.
De Forest had been a long-time favourite heading into the competition, and a strong performance in the semi-final on Tuesday night, which resulted in millions of Europeans heading to Google to find out more information about her, saw her start the final as an odds-on favourite.
The result is a horrendous one for bookmakers – very possibly the worst in Eurovision history. “She could spark the biggest payout in the Eurovision's long and distinguished history,” Ruper Adams, a spokesperson for British betting company William Hill, had told British newspaper the Independent a day before the final.In recent years, thanks to their use of Google Analytics, bookmakers have been able to call the result ahead of the national voting every time based on who attracts the most interest on Google.
The result takes Denmark’s tally of Eurovision victories to three – seventh on the all-time list alongside Israel and Norway – and means that Denmark will host the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. The last time, Denmark hosted it, back in 2001, it was held at Parken stadium.
The countries that gave Denmark 12 points were: Serbia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Iceland, France, Ireland, Slovenia and Macedonia. Meanwhile, just one country gave Denmark nul points: San Marino.
