Eurovision 2025: when will Ukraine perform and who is this year's favourite?

On Tuesday, 13 May, Europe's main song contest will kick off in Basel. Ukraine will be represented by the band Ziferblat. Find out where and when to watch the contestants' performances, how to vote for your favourite, and who the bookmakers are predicting will win

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The first semi-final of Eurovision 2025 will start on 13 May in Basel, Switzerland. Representatives of Ukraine, Ziferblat, will perform in it. We will tell you what time the show will start, who is the favourite at the moment, and what scandals have already occurred around Eurovision representatives.

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Eurovision 2025: when does it start and where can I watch it?

Traditionally, the contest consists of two semi-finals and a final, which will take place on 13, 15 and 17 May. The winner will be determined by the results of the jury's evaluation and the audience vote.

The broadcast will begin at 22:00 Kyiv time on Ukrainian television.

Ukraine will perform fifth today, represented by the group Ziferblat with the song Bird of Pray.

Ukrainians will be able to watch the broadcast of the first semi-final and subsequent performances:

▪️ on the official Eurovision Song Contest channel;

▪️ on the Suspilne Eurovision website;

▪️ on the Suspilne Broadcasting YouTube channel;

▪️ on the MEGOGO app;

▪️ listen on Promin radio.

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How to vote in Eurovision?

According to the rules established by the European Broadcasting Union, you can only vote in the semi-final in which your country is participating. Accordingly, Ukrainians can only vote in the first semi-final, but the rules prohibit voting for representatives of their own country.

The following countries will perform in the first semi-final, i.e. today: Iceland, Poland, Slovenia, Estonia, Ukraine, Sweden, Portugal, Norway, Belgium, Azerbaijan, San Marino, Albania, the Netherlands, Croatia, and Cyprus.

Ukrainians can vote for their favourites in several ways:

1. SMS message to 7576, indicating the participant's number from 01 to 15 (except 5) in the text of the message. The price of an SMS is 8.50 UAH.

2. Through the official Eurovision app.

3. On the official Eurovision website.

Please note that Ukrainians abroad in countries participating in Eurovision can vote for the band Ziferblat. However, it is important that you are in one of the countries participating in the first semi-final.

Who is the favourite to win Eurovision 2025?

According to the latest bookmakers' data, Sweden could win the first semi-final. Experts also believe that Estonia, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Albania, Belgium, Cyprus, Poland, Norway and San Marino will make it to the final.

As for the winner of the contest, this year the bookmakers' favourite is the group KAJ, representing Sweden. KAJ is a trio from Finland who sing in the Swedish dialect of Vero.

Scandal involving the representative of Israel

Israel's representative, singer Yuval Rafael, filed a complaint with the Swiss police.

The artist was forced to take such measures after the opening ceremony of the contest, which was not without unpleasant incidents. The fact is that a large number of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in the square to demonstrate against Israel at the contest. Although police were present at the event and the organisers took security measures, problems could not be avoided.

For the Israeli singer, the trouble began right at the start. When she stepped onto the ‘turquoise carpet,’ she was booed. Then, when the singer was already on the tram, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked her way and blocked the tram tracks. The police were on duty at the scene and detained the offenders.

One of the protesters, who was wearing a keffiyeh and carrying a Palestinian flag, made an offensive gesture towards the Israeli delegation. He ran his finger across his throat, pretending to slit it, and spat in their direction.

Reminder! We have reported on how much tickets for Eurovision 2025 cost and how to buy them.

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