May 5th 2024.
Everyone knows that Loreen is the ultimate queen of Eurovision. But did her victory in 2023 not only solidify her reign, but also helped Sweden make history? The annual singing competition descended upon Liverpool that year, marking the first time the UK hosted since 1998. Excitement filled the air as thousands of fans flocked to the M&S Bank Arena, eager to see their favorite performers take the stage. And of course, our hopes were high for our own Mae Muller. But unfortunately, she didn't do as well as we had hoped. Nevertheless, it was still a night to remember and a proud moment for the United Kingdom.
But amidst all the performances, there was one that stole the show. Eurovision icon Sonia made a grand return to the stage, and even the Princess of Wales graced the event with a surprise appearance. But even with all the royal presence, it was clear that queens still reigned supreme. And that queen was none other than Loreen. The Swedish entry was the hot favorite going into the competition, and she definitely lived up to the expectations. With her win, she became only the second act to win Eurovision more than once. But what does this mean for Sweden's overall tally? Are they now the ultimate Eurovision champions? Let's dive into it.
After Sweden's victory in 2023, they are now tied with Ireland as the country with the most Eurovision wins. Both countries have each won the competition seven times. Sweden's impressive record started back in 1974 with the legendary group ABBA. They also won in 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015, and now in 2023. It's a truly impressive feat.
But let's not forget about Ireland, who dominated the competition in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Their first win came in 1970 with Dana's "All Kinds Of Everything". And then, of course, we can't forget about Johnny Logan, who snatched victory in 1980 with "What's Another Year". He went on to win again for Ireland in 1987 with "Hold Me Now" and is the only other person, besides Loreen, to have won the competition twice. The Emerald Isle then went on to score four more victories in the 1990s. It was an incredible streak, with wins in 1992, 1993, 1994, and then again in 1996. In fact, their winning streak even inspired an episode of "Father Ted" where the song "My Lovely Horse" was chosen to represent Ireland in the contest.
But Ireland's reign of success was not without its challenges. The UK took the top honors in 1997 with "Love Shine A Light", and Ireland came close to winning again, coming in second place. But the question remains, will Wild Youth be able to bring back the glory to Ireland in 2024? The hopefuls who aimed to do just that, performed their track "We Are One" in the first semi-final on May 9, 2023. Although they didn't make it to the final, they still did their country proud.
Other countries that have won Eurovision more than once include Luxembourg, who have not taken part since 1993, with five wins. Netherlands and France have also each taken the trophy five times. The UK, in spite of some recent Euro-flops, also has an impressive track record with five victories, winning in 1967, 1969, 1976, 1981, and most recently in 1997 with Katrina and The Waves. Israel is next in line with four wins, while Norway, Denmark, Italy, and Ukraine have each notched up three victories. And then, of course, we have Spain, Austria, Germany, and Austria, who have each won twice.
But the list of countries with a single win to their name is even longer. It includes Monaco, Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Turkey, Greece, Finland, Serbia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Portugal, and Yugoslavia. And let's not forget about long-term participants like Cyprus, Iceland, Slovenia, Malta, Lithuania, and Romania, who have yet to win the competition despite being a part of it for many decades. As they say, winning Eurovision is not an easy feat.
But one thing is for sure, Eurovision 2024 will definitely be an event not to be missed. And we can't wait to see where it will take place next year. Until then, let's keep the Eurovision spirit alive and share our views in the comments below.
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