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Australia now second in Eurovision odds

Australia's rise from being a rank outsider to #2 in the odds is a credit to all -but there are hurdles to overcome.

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Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke is now second favourite to win at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.

“Zero Gravity” is only trailing consistent favourite The Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence with “Arcade.”

Australia’s rise from being a rank outsider, at around #23 to #2, is a credit to producers Blink TV, SBS and Kate Miller-Heidke. Her bold move to mount the sway pole sent us skyhigh….

But there are still hurdles to overcome. Eurovision is like a force of nature in which a stunning spectacle can capture the imagination just as much as a still, soft song number in a sea of wind machines and outlandish costumes. A bum note can derail. A performer who is charismatic can connect.

Politics is also a factor. There are still comments on fan forums objecting to Australia in the contest. In the last two years we have struggled with the public vote, only faring respectably due to the jury votes.

There are also reports producers instructed juries to only vote based on the song itself, not the staging. This is due to juries voting on Dress Rehearsals where there were technical issues. If true for the Final it could be critical to our entry which is reliant on staging as well as performance and composition.

The broadcast begins at 5am AEST Sunday on SBS and includes Live voting (repeated 8:30pm Sunday).

TV Tonight will be publishing Live results.

# Country Artist Song title
1  Malta Michela Pace Chameleon
2  Albania Jonida Maliqi Ktheju tokës
3  Czech Republic Lake Malawi Friend of a friend
4  Germany S!sters Sister
5  Russia Sergey Lazarev Scream
6  Denmark Leonora Love is forever
7  San Marino Serhat Say na na na
8  FYR Macedonia Tamara Todevska Proud
9  Sweden John Lundvik Too late for love
10  Slovenia Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl Sebi
11  Cyprus Tamta Replay
12  The Netherlands Duncan Laurence Arcade
13  Greece Katerine Duska Better love
14  Israel Kobi Marimi Home
15  Norway KEiiNO Spirit in the sky
16  United Kingdom Michael Rice Bigger than us
17  Iceland Hatari Hatrið mun sigra
18  Estonia Victor Crone Storm
19  Belarus ZENA Like it
20  Azerbaijan Chingiz Truth
21  France Bilal Hassani Roi
22  Italy Mahmood Soldi
23  Serbia Nevena Božović Kruna
24  Switzerland Luca Hänni She got me
25  Australia Kate Miller-Heidke Zero gravity
26  Spain Miki La venda

Interval act: Madonna (“Like a Prayer” & “Future” are the rumoured songs)

Guests: Conchita Wurst will perform “Heroes”, Måns Zelmerlöw with “Fuego”, Eleni Foureira with “Dancing Lasha Tumbai”, Verka Serduchka with “Toy”, Gali Atari with “Hallelujah” and Netta Barzilai with “Nana Banana”. Netta Barzilai, Dana International with “Diva” and “Tel Aviv”, Nadav Guedj with “Golden Boy” and Ilanit. Idan Raichel will perform “Bo’ee – Come to Me” together with the twenty-six finalists, while Miss Israel 2004 Gal Gadot will also appear.

16 Responses

  1. Kate did very well and did Australia proud, Eurovision: Australia Decides was the best thing that SBS could have created for us! Netherlands had so much great support and a great song, they did deserve to win…

  3. On a more serious note David. I understand the winning country hosts Eurovision the following year. If by chance Australia wins this contest will we host next year or will it default to a European country. I’d imagine the producers would love the chance to take this event downunder and let’s not forget the value in tourism dollars that is associated with Eurovision.

      1. There was a rumour after Dami’s second place that we’d had a deal with Germany in case she won.

        I’d love us to go with a minnow like Malta or San Marino, but obviously there’s a million practicalities that make a bigger nation more likely.

        (we could give it to the UK, just to make them squirm!)

          1. Germany and the United Kingdom are the first choices for Australia to partner with should they win Eurovision. That is the agreement in place as I understand it.

    2. It’s not really confirmed. The deal (more like a “what if” scenario) was for 2015 when Australia had their “one off” appearance. Since then the EBU ignores their own eligibility rules to keep inviting Australia, and they’ve been very quiet on the “what if” for 3 years now. A ESC in Australia could be irresistible to them. They main hurdle is a 5am broadcast time. Probably SBS will just play it safe and host in London, or possibly hand it to the second placed song.

        1. A slight correction: you must be a full member, and you can only be a full member by being in the European Broadcasting Area (extends into Middle East and north Africa) or in the Council of Europe. There are 20 other associates like Kazakhstan, China, NZ, Canada & Brazil, yet where’s their invitation.Kazakhstan really want in.
          ebu.ch/about/members?type=associate
          Quote: “It is important to note that associate membership does not grant access to the Eurovision system.”

          1. Sorry no. In 2016 EBU allowed for associate members at their discretion. Eurovision change their rules every year and has done since it began. So while associate membership is not automatic admission, Australia is 100% eligible.

  4. odds-wise, it’s the Netherlands to lose. There’s daylight between them and second place (currently Australia). It’s been a long while since a raging favourite like that at this stage of proceedings failed to take the crown.

    1. Exactly. That’s the real story. The second place is far less important than the odds difference. NL at $1.60 to AU at $7 is like a horse race with Winx in it. It’s a shame so much media don’t provide the complete picture.

    2. Ok, well let’s all agree to not vote the Netherlands – Sure it will be a drop in the ocean but we can put our thumb on the scales.

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