Voting for the annual ESC250 celebration will close on the 7th of December 2025, and now we have a nervous wait to find out the results! The event is hosted by songfestival.be, with the results revealed on the 31st December 2024 on EFR12 Radio to close out the year. Find out more about it here!
While we wait to find out the official results, members of the TES team will be sharing their votes for this year and explaining the reason for their picks. This time it’s Loïc’s turn to reveal how he voted as this year’s countdown gets underway.
Loïc’s votes
Reducing the list to just ten songs was anything but straightforward. Naturally chaotic and perpetually second-guessing myself, I went back and forth countless times, with anywhere between thirty and fifty tracks fighting for a place right up until the end. Yet somewhere along the way, I found a rare moment of clarity and made peace with my choices. This ESC250 top ten feels like a true reflection of who I am as a Eurovision fan, shaped by fifteen years of discovering new artists and songs, sometimes unforgettable for the best reasons, sometimes memorable for all the wrong ones, but always part of the joy that keeps me coming back year after year.
1 point : “Tout l’Univers” – Gjon’s Tears (Switzerland 2021)
How could I possibly open this ranking without mentioning Gjon? From his commanding vocals (that bridge alone still sends shivers) to the sheer dramatic tension woven through every second of the song, everything clicks. The staging amplifies it all perfectly, with its deliberately chaotic movements and expressive faces turning emotion into motion. It’s that precise balance between control and abandon that makes the performance so gripping, and even years later, the song hasn’t aged a day… It still hits with the same intensity it did back in 2021.
2 points : “Zitti E Buoni” – Måneskin (Italy 2021)
Eurovision 2021 was an exceptionally strong year. Maybe it was everyone’s way of getting a little revenge on Covid and the cancellation of Eurovision 2020. Who knows. What’s certain is that there was no way I could approach this ranking without Måneskin. The song is a powerhouse on its own… Sharp, confident, proper rock energy at its best but it’s the band’s collective presence that truly ignites it on stage. Their charisma, attitude and total ownership of the moment turn a great track into a live force of nature, and that’s exactly why it still resonates long after the contest.
3 points : “Ktheju Tokës” – Jonida Maliqi (Albania 2019)
This one might come as a surprise to some, but anyone close to me knows how deep my love for Albanian music runs : that unmistakable blend of traditional roots and modern, dramatic intensity. Jonida embodies that balance perfectly. Her presence is commanding, her charisma undeniable, and her vocals genuinely haunting. She doesn’t perform drama… No… she is the drama, effortlessly. Even if the staging ultimately felt a little underwhelming, the live performance remains unforgettable, especially thanks to that flawless vocal run from the backing singer, a moment that still gives me chills every time I revisit it.
4 points : “Voila” – Barbara Pravi (France 2021)
2021, once again. And as a French guy, there was simply no way I could leave Barbara Pravi out of this ranking. She brought France closer to a Eurovision victory than we’d been in decades, and she did it with sheer authenticity. From the stripped-back yet powerful staging to the timeless composition, everything felt deliberate and deeply French. Barbara’s presence was magnetic, and her vocals walked that rare line between strength and fragility, carrying every emotion without artifice. It wasn’t just a performance… It was a moment, and one that still resonates long after that final “Voila” !
5 points : “1944” – Jamala (Ukraine 2016)
This one is always hit or miss when I introduce it to people who aren’t familiar with Eurovision, but when it lands, the emotion runs incredibly deep. As strong as the studio version is, 1944 truly comes alive on stage. It’s in the live performance that the song fully reveals its power. Jamala knows exactly where to push, where to hold back, and how to build that emotional intensity until it grips you by the throat and never lets go until the end. And that tree emerging on stage, growing into the vocal climax, still hits me every single time.
6 points : “Euphoria” – Loreen (Sweden 2012)
Was it expected? Maybe. But honestly, I can’t talk about Eurovision without thinking of Loreen. She didn’t just take the trophy, she changed the game, bringing the contest into a more modern, fresh space that really speaks to younger audiences. Euphoria still hits me every time; that perfect mix of soaring Swedish pop production and Loreen’s raw, singular talent makes it feel completely alive, completely hers.
7 points : “I Feed You My Love” – Margaret Berger (Norway 2013)
This one has never left my yearly Spotify playlists since 2013, alongside all the new tracks I discover each year. I still listen to it daily, whether it is in my car, at the gym… Why’s that ? Because it’s got everything I love: dark, moody production and Margaret’s crystal-clear vocals. Even if the live version doesn’t quite match the studio magic, it’s still one of my all-time favorites.
8 points : “I’m Alive” – Elhaida Dani (Albania 2015)
I’ll always wonder what could have happened if Elaida hadn’t been sick and could’ve delivered this song as flawlessly live as she eventually did after Eurovision. She deserved so much more love from the casual viewer… And am I still the only one belting out those high notes in the car, duck-like attempts at diva mode fully included?
10 points : “Teresa & Maria” – Jerry Heil & Alyona Alyona (Ukraine 2024)
Teresa and Maria will always hold a special place for me; it was my first time attending the Eurovision Grand Final live. This song was already one of my favorites that season, but seeing it performed in person truly made me realize just how unique and moving it is… No shame in admitting I ended the performance in tears. The staging only amplified a song that was already complete and Eurovision-ready on its own… A true masterpiece! Should we talk about Jerry’s amazing vocals ? ♥
Honourable mentions
Before I reveal my 12 points, I’d like to give a shoutout to a couple of songs that just missed out on making my list for ESC250.
- “Zjerm” – Shkodra Elektronike (Albania 2025) – Should have won… COULD have won in a perfect world !
- “Asteromata” – Klavia (Greece 2025) – Absolutely breathtaking! Her vocals feel otherworldly, and the song perfectly captures everything I love most about music.
- “Stay” – Monika Linkyté (Lithuania 2023) – ČIŪTO TŪTO ČIŪTO TŪTO ČIŪTO TŪTO !!!!!!
- “De Diepte” – S10 (The Netherlands 2022) – The song has stayed in my head (and my playlist) all these years, but I have to admit the staging was a bit disappointing and ultimately underwhelming.
- “Walking Out” – Srbuk (Armenia 2019) – I refuse to acknowledge that the live ever happened… Was it awful? Absolutely. But denial is a river I happily swim in… Here, only the studio track (and its videoclip) exist. And damn, what a powerful song it is!
And Loïc’s 12 points go to…”Only Teardrops” – Emmelie de Forest (Denmark 2013)
I’m as surprised as some of you might be by this taking first place, but in the end, it makes perfect sense. This song hasn’t aged a day since 2013. I love how Only Teardrops not only showcases Emmelie’s unique interpretation and stunning vocals, but also how the instrumentation shines, especially that beautiful flute weaving through the arrangement. Truly a well-deserved winner!
Now that Loïc has revealed his votes for ESC250 this year, what do you think of his picks? Who received your 12 points this year? As always, please let us know what you think by commenting below. Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all of the latest Eurovision news.
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo credits : Corinne Cumming / Eurovision.TV
Samantha 
Euan T 
Michelle