With the final set of songs set to be released this week, the starting positions for the host entries for Eurovision 2023 have been determined. The host entries are both Ukraine and the United Kingdom, reflecting the UK’s hosting of the Contest on behalf of Ukraine.
Host entries positions determined in Liverpool
The draw to determine the host entries’ positions took place during the Head of Delegations meeting. This is currently ongoing in Liverpool, which will host the Contest in two month’s time. The hosts’ positions was chosen through a random allocation draw.
Following the draw, it was announced that TVORCHI from Ukraine will perform in position #19 on the 13th of May. As well as this, Mae Muller was revealed as performing in 26th place. This means that the United Kingdom will close the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Both Ukraine and the United Kingdom have performed at their respective position previously. Ukraine performed 19th during the final of the 2021 Contest with Go_A and “Shum”. Similarly, the United Kingdom has most recently performed last in 2014, represented by Molly and “Children of the Universe”. These positions earned 5th and 17th positions respectively.
Ukraine’s Eurovision journey
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country has scored eight top-five placements, with an extra three top-ten finishes. Ukraine won the Contest in 2004 with Ruslana’s “Wild Dances” and again in 2016 with Jamala’s “1944”. Jamala’s win made history for Ukraine, as it became the first ex-Soviet country to win the Contest more than once.
In 2022, Kalush Orchestra represented Ukraine in the 66th edition of the Contest with their song “Stefania”. The band scored 614 points, finishing in first place, marking Ukraine’s third victory.
United Kingdom’s Eurovision journey
Despite a recent slump in results, the UK is one of the most successful countries at the Eurovision Song Contest. Debuting at the second edition ever of the Contest in 1957, the United Kingdom has won the competition on five separate occasions. The most recent win for the UK was in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves, singing “Love Shine A Light”. The UK also holds the record for the number of second place finishes – currently at 16.
In 2022, the UK was represented by Sam Ryder with his song “SPACE MAN”. The performance managed to impress juries and televoters, and the UK finished in second place with 466 points, their best placing since 1998.
What do you think of the host entries and their running order positions? Do you think these positions will help or hinder TVORCHI and Mae’s chances? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: EBU
Photo Credit: Michael Fedorak / Harry Carr / UA:PBC / Capitol Records EMI
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