Finland_in_the_Eurovision_Song_Contest

Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest

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Finland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 56 times since its debut in 1961. Finland won the contest for the first – and to date only – time in 2006 with Lordi and their song "Hard Rock Hallelujah". The country's best result before then was achieved by Marion Rung with the song "Tom Tom Tom" in 1973, which placed sixth.

For the most recent participation, see Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. For the upcoming participation, see Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.
Quick Facts Participating broadcaster, Participation summary ...

Finland has finished last in the contest eleven times, receiving nul points in 1963, 1965 and 1982. Since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, Finland has failed to reach the final eight times. In 2014, the country had its best result in eight years when Softengine with "Something Better" finished 11th, a result that would be surpassed by Blind Channel with "Dark Side", which came sixth in 2021, and later by Käärijä with "Cha Cha Cha", which won the public vote and came second overall in 2023, the latter of which is Finland's second best result to date.

History

Before its 2006 victory, Finland was considered by many to be the under-achiever of the Eurovision Song Contest. Prior to 2006, Finland had placed last a total of eight times, three times with nul points. Finland's entry in 1982, "Nuku pommiin" by Kojo, was one of only fifteen songs to score no points since the modern scoring system was implemented in 1975. Due to poor results, Finland was relegated from taking part in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003.[1][2]

In 2006, Finland won the contest with the band Lordi and their song "Hard Rock Hallelujah", an entry that stood out from the Europop that had dominated the competition. The song scored the highest number of points in the history of the contest, with 292, a record that was later broken by Norway's Alexander Rybak in 2009.[3]

In 2015, Finland finished last in the first semi-final with the shortest-ever Eurovision song, the one minute and 27 seconds "Aina mun pitää" performed by Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät.[4] Finland reached the final for the first time in four years in 2018, with Saara Aalto placing 25th. After a non-qualification in 2019 with Darude and Sebastian Rejman, Blind Channel placed sixth in 2021, followed by a 21st place for The Rasmus in 2022 and a second place for Käärijä in 2023, the latter of which is Finland's second best result to date.[5]

All of Finland's entries were in English between 1973 and 1976, and since 2000 (with the exceptions of 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2023); both of these periods allowed submissions in any language. Finland's entries in 1990 and 2012 were in Swedish, which is an official language in the country alongside Finnish. All of Finland's other songs have been in Finnish.

Participation overview

Table key
1 First place
2 Second place
3 Third place
◁ Last place
X Entry selected but did not compete
† Upcoming event
More information Year, Artist ...

Hostings

More information Year, Location ...

Awards

Marcel Bezençon Awards

Further information: Marcel Bezençon Awards
More information Year, Category ...

You're a Vision Award

Further information: You're a Vision Award
More information Year, Performer ...

Conductors

More information Year, Conductor ...

Commentators and spokespersons

Over the years, Yle has had several experienced radio and television presenters as commentators. The Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcast in Finland from 1960 to 2001 and from 2021 onwards by Yle TV1 and from 2002 to 2019 by Yle TV2.

More information Year, Channel ...

Photogallery

See also

Notes

  1. In 2009, Finland qualified through the back-up jury selection.
  2. The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. Features uncredited vocals by Henri Piispanen
  4. All conductors are of Finnish nationality unless otherwise noted.
  5. Conducted by George de Godzinsky at the national final.
  6. Conducted by Risto Hiltunen at the national final.
  7. Only year between 1966 and 1989 where Finland participated and Ossi Runne was not their conductor; he instead provided television commentary. Runne still conducted at the national final.
  8. Conducted by Ossi Runne at the national final.

References

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