{"id":5604,"date":"2025-05-14T15:58:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T15:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/?p=5604"},"modified":"2025-05-14T18:41:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T18:41:31","slug":"eurovision-fans-declare-their-winner-after-country-becomes-dark-horse-of-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/14\/eurovision-fans-declare-their-winner-after-country-becomes-dark-horse-of-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Eurovision fans \u2018declare their winner\u2019 after country becomes dark horse of competition"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_251131113-c6f7.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23087049\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by Baden Roth\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock (15298162ag) Justyna Steczkowska of Poland of competes during the first live semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest at St. Jakobshalle on May 13, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - First Semi-Final, Basel, Switzerland - 13 May 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The 52-year-old performer wowed audiences (Picture: Baden Roth\/ZumaPress Wire\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/eurovision-song-contest\/\">Eurovision<\/a> fans have declared their winner after the country&#8217;s scintillating semi-final performance.<\/p>\n<p>Last night, 10 countries&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/13\/eurovision-2025-grand-final-countries-running-win-23081478\/\">battled for a spot in the Grand Final<\/a> on Saturday, with&nbsp;Norway,&nbsp;Sweden, the Netherlands,&nbsp;San Marino, and Portugal all qualifying.<\/p>\n<p>For Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia, and Slovenia, their dreams of Eurovision glory ended.<\/p>\n<p>However, Justyna Steczkowska of Poland may officially have become the new dark horse of the contest after her thrilling performance of &#8216;Gaja&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>Commenting on Instagram, several fans replied to a video showing the 52-year-old performing by saying &#8216;winner&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>@agaszuscik wrote: &#8216;A great talent and a great class. We are proud and thank you!&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>@daawidrakowski also commented: &#8216;Winner of Eurovision 2025.&#8217;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Justyna Steczkowska - GAJA (LIVE) | Poland \ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf1 | First Semi-Final | Eurovision 2025\" width=\"920\" height=\"518\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NQXhvclWuPE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_251131128-9597.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23087047\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by Baden Roth\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock (15298162ak) Justyna Steczkowska of Poland of competes during the first live semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest at St. Jakobshalle on May 13, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - First Semi-Final, Basel, Switzerland - 13 May 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Justyna Steczkowska of Poland pictured on stage (Picture: Baden Roth\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_251131206-7073.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23081707\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by Baden Roth\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock (15298162ai) Justyna Steczkowska of Poland of competes during the first live semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest at St. Jakobshalle on May 13, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - First Semi-Final, Basel, Switzerland - 13 May 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Justyna performed the song &#8216;Gaja&#8217; (Picture: Baden Roth\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>@anitaczylija added: &#8216;That was everything!&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, @maciej_oscar wrote: &#8216;We are so proud of you, Justyna! Pure perfection. You left your soul on the stage! You are the inspiration! Poland is standing behind you!&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Justyna &#8211; who appeared in the competition three decades ago &#8211; replied back to the post, which has now received over 220,000 likes, saying: &#8216;Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support! \u201cGaja\u201d just exploded on stage, full of energy and power.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Your presence and every kind word mean so much to me. If you felt Gaja\u2019s energy, please vote for number 2 and help us reach the final. Every vote counts!&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tLatest Eurovision 2025 odds\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sweden 39%<\/li>\n<li>Austria 23%<\/li>\n<li>Netherlands 7%<\/li>\n<li>France 6%<\/li>\n<li>Israel 5%<\/li>\n<li>Finland 3%<\/li>\n<li>Switzerland 2%<\/li>\n<li>Spain 1%<\/li>\n<li>United Kingdom 1%<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Elsewhere in last night&#8217;s semi-final, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/14\/eurovision-fans-want-justice-switzerland-semi-finals-chaos-23082522\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/14\/eurovision-fans-want-justice-switzerland-semi-finals-chaos-23082522\/\">fans were left speechless<\/a> after Switzerland\u2019s act Zo\u00eb M\u00eb\u2019s semi-final performance descended into chaos.<\/p>\n<p>During the performance, the broadcast appeared to glitch and showed a dark image, while the camera also struggled to remain focused on Zo\u00eb.<\/p>\n<p>Afterwards, BBC host&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/rylan-clark\/\">Rylan Clark<\/a>&nbsp;commented on the technical issues, saying: \u2018We should say there as well, I think there was a couple of little tech problems with that one single-shot camera.\u2019<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_251007672-c08d.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23078644\" alt=\"epa12095236 Poland&#039;s Justyna Steczkowska performs the song &quot;Gaja&quot; during the dress rehearsel and preview show during the first semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel, Switzerland, 12 May 2025. The second semi-final of the ESC 2025 is scheduled for 15 May. The grand final will take place on 17 May. EPA\/GEORGIOS KEFALAS\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Fans were struck by the energy of the 52-year-old (Picture: EPA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_251131207-b87a.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23081708\" alt=\"Mandatory Credit: Photo by Baden Roth\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock (15298162ao) Justyna Steczkowska of Poland of competes during the first live semi-final of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest at St. Jakobshalle on May 13, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - First Semi-Final, Basel, Switzerland - 13 May 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Poland could well be this year&#8217;s dark horse (Picture: Baden Roth\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On X, viewers said they felt \u2018sorry\u2019 for Zo\u00eb and demanded \u2018justice\u2019, while others joked host country Switzerland was attempting to \u2018sabotage\u2019 their own act.<\/p>\n<p>Some fans were even <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/13\/celine-dions-surprise-cameo-eurovision-2025-left-fans-upset-23081785\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/13\/celine-dions-surprise-cameo-eurovision-2025-left-fans-upset-23081785\/\">reduced to tears<\/a> at one point after a special appearance from Eurovision legend <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/celine-dion\/\">Celine Dion<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A special rendition of her song Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi was also performed by previous <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/13\/latest-eurovision-2025-odds-ahead-tonights-semi-final-23079034\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/05\/13\/latest-eurovision-2025-odds-ahead-tonights-semi-final-23079034\/\">Eurovision <\/a>stars, including Silvester Belt and Iolanda.<\/p>\n<p>The My Heart Will Go On hitmaker, 57, took the chance to reflect on her own Eurovision journey, having represented Switzerland in 1988.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking both in French and English, she told viewers that the country \u2018has always held a special place in [her] heart\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page &#8211; we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 52-year-old performer wowed audiences (Picture: Baden Roth\/ZumaPress Wire\/Shutterstock) Eurovision fans have declared their winner after the country&#8217;s scintillating semi-final performance. Last night, 10 countries&nbsp;battled for a spot in the<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/14\/eurovision-fans-declare-their-winner-after-country-becomes-dark-horse-of-competition\/\" class=\"readmore\">Continue reading<svg class=\"icon icon-arrow-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"img\"> <use href=\"#icon-arrow-right\" xlink:href=\"#icon-arrow-right\"><\/use> <\/svg><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Eurovision fans \u2018declare their winner\u2019 after country becomes dark horse of competition<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5606,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5604"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5612,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5604\/revisions\/5612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.pilotshopworld.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}