As the dust settles after the conclusion of Sanremo 2025 last night, Olly, this year’s festival winner, has said he will be taking time to decide whether he will represent Italy in Eurovision 2025 in Basel with “Balorda Nostalgia”.
The day after the festival, Olly appeared before the press to give his impressions after winning the festival. He was then asked about whether he would accept the proposal to represent Italy. He then revealed that Eurovision was not on his radar and that he needs time to decide.
Speaking about participating in Eurovision, Olly comments:
As for Eurovision, I have to be totally honest. What happened to me last night is completely crazy and what I said in the past months about not considering winning as an option because I wasn’t considering it was honest.
So I still haven’t thought about the possibility, I need to comprehend what happened to me and if there is the possibility of taking some time to make such an important decision I ask for it. Obviously it’s an incredible honour to have this opportunity, it’s a giant, beautiful event.
Keeping in line with previous years
Italy has used Festival di Sanremo to select its Eurovision representative (except 2014, when it internally selected Emma Marrone to represent them in Copenhagen). In 2016, Stadio, a Pop-Rock band won the Big Artists category in the festival but declined the opportunity to represent Italy in Stockholm, with the opportunity being given to Francesca Michielin. Since then, the winners of the festival have participated in the competition.
As a member of the Big Five, Italy is already qualified for the Grand Final of Eurovision 2025 on May 17th. Should Olly accept the invitation, he will represent Italy in Basel.
Italy’s Eurovision journey
Italy has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since the very beginning and have always been considered a powerhouse in the contest. The country has won the contest on three occasions in 1964, 1990 and 2021. Italy withdrew after 1997, returning again in 2011 with Raphael Gualazzi who sang ‘Madness Of Love’. Raphael placed second in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest after scoring 189 points.
Italy’s most recent entry in 2024 was “La Noia” by Angelina Mango. At the close of voting, Italy scored a total of 268 points in the Eurovision 2024 Grand Final, placing 7th. Of these, 164 points came from the juries, whilst the remaining 104 points came from the televote.
Would you like to see Olly on the Eurovision stage? Who else could take his place should he say no? As always, let us know what you think by commenting down below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we prepare for Eurovision 2025!
News Source: RAI
Photo Credit: IPA
Giwrgos Oiko