The Eurovision Song Contest is hosted by Switzerland this year, with St Jakobshalle in Basel the venue for the second semi-final and the final on 15 and 17 May. Sweden is highly fancied to win it for the eighth time (overtaking Ireland’s record of seven wins) with a jaunty, very polished, earworm of a song about saunas, sung in Swedish. But some think the competition is anyone’s game, with six or seven countries, including Austria, France and Finland, in the mix as potential winners. These are the songs to look out for this week.

The hot favourite

Sweden, Bara Bada Bastu, KAJ


Sweden’s entry, Bara Bada Bastu by KAJ, is the red-hot favourite, ever since the song was the surprise winner at Melfest – the Swedish selection show – back in March, beating former Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw, who was widely tipped to get the Swedish nod and triumph in Basel. Caroline Westbrook, who writes about Eurovision for Metro.co.uk, says the Swedish entry, which translates as ‘Just Sauna’, is ‘a joyful little song about having a sauna, with a very slick dance routine, staged beautifully.’ There’s even a sauna onstage. Crucially, it’s also been No 1 in Sweden for 11 weeks and charted in Finland, so it comes with momentum. Technically, it’s a novelty song, adds Caroline, and will likely sweep the public vote (remember the voting at the final is split between a jury and public vote). ‘I just love this song and want it to win,’ she says. ‘If it does win, it’ll be a win for the ages. You’ll remember this song for years to come.’

The challengers

Austria, Wasted Love, JJ


Austria hasn’t won since Conchita Wurst triumphed in 2014. Its entry this year is Wasted Love, sung by JJ. It’s an operatic, highly theatrical number, until it turns into a rave banger in the final 30 seconds. It’s tipped to be Sweden’s biggest competition.

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‘It’s a really special, beautiful song and they can SING!’ is the verdict of Lucy Surtee, who’s an editor at WiWi Bloggs (dubbed ‘Eurovision news with attitude’).

‘It’s jury bait,’ says Caroline. ‘Juries tend to vote for something the public don’t. They’re looking for something more technically accomplished.’

So, while it doesn’t have the heat or novelty of Sweden’s entry, if Austria cleans up with the international juries and, say, Sweden doesn’t, it could make all the difference for Austria if the song does very well in the public portion of the vote – the bit at the end where the scores shuffle like a pack of cards. But Alex Busa, a former editor of ESC.com, believes Austria’s entry ultimately ‘doesn’t have enough in it to get enough of the public vote’.

France, Maman, Louane


Still searching for a win since its last time on the podium in 1977, France is represented by Louane singing Maman. It’s a strong ballad with an emotional back story and is dedicated to the singer’s late mother. ‘It’s a song about motherhood,’ says Lucy, ‘so is relatable and also staged beautifully. It could pull off a surprise.’

Finland, ICH KOMME, Erika Vikman


Finland has won Eurovision only once, with Lordi’s Hard Rock Hallelujah in 2006, but what a win. 2025 could be a very good year. Its entry is ICH KOMME (which translates as ‘I’m Coming’), sung by Erika Vikman. It’s a stomping pop banger with a giant gold microphone on stage. ‘It’s an arena filler,’ says Lucy. ‘Huge, loud, powerful and feminist.’ Lucy reckons the reaction of ‘the casuals’ – an affectionate term for viewers who tune in just for the Saturday grand final, will be: ‘Oh my goodness!’, which could work very well for Finland in the public vote. Caroline sums it up jokingly as ‘basically smut, but good smut’.

Poland, GAJA, Justyna Steczkowska


Poland is sending one of its biggest pop stars, Justyna Steczkowska, who entered Eurovision 30 years ago, in 1995. ‘She came 18th that year and is coming back for revenge,’ says Alex. The song is called GAJA, and it’s really the staging and the vocals, that are the most striking aspect of the entry, with Justyna at one point singing upside-down and still hitting the high notes. ‘The dancing is incredible,’ says Alex. ‘It takes your breath away.’ Lucy’s verdict is: ‘It’s the kitchen sink. She’s thrown everything she can at it. The casuals will love it.’

Albania, Zjerm, Shkodra Elektronike


Watch out for Albania: its song is Zjerm by Shkodra Elektronike and features in the first semi-final on Tuesday 13 May. It sounds a little like the Cocteau Twins with hand claps and traditional instruments. It stood out in the semi-finals as different from earnest ballads and pop bangers. Lucy describes it as ‘fire and ice vibes’, adding that singing in your own language is hugely popular this year (Sweden’s entry is in Swedish for the first time since 1998), and that could prove an advantage.

Switzerland, Voyage, Zoë Më


Host nations have tended not to perform well in recent years. Yes, Ireland won three times in a row in the 90s, but Austria, who triumphed in 2014, came second to last the following year. Switzerland, however, is in with a chance. Even if it’s a distant chance, a place on the left-hand side of the scoreboard on Saturday is likely. Its entry is Voyage by Zoë Më. ‘People are sleeping on it,’ says Alex. ‘It’s a Billie Eilish-style ballad. It’s well crafted and she has a great voice. It’s also 19th in the final, so is in a good position to do well.’

Malta, Serving, Miriana Conte


Malta has never won Eurovision, although it’s come second twice. There’s been a little bit of controversy surrounding its entry, Serving by Miriana Conte, which is another strong pop number. The original title sounded like another word, a rude one, and the country was asked to change it. It’s probably going to do very well. ‘I really like it,’ says Caroline. ‘The staging is elaborate, but it might be a bit too much.’ Alex says: ‘I think the audience in the stadium is going to go crazy.’

The home favourites

United Kingdom, What The Hell Just Happened?, Remember Monday - automatically qualified for grand final

The consensus is that the UK’s entry, What The Hell Just Happened? by Remember Monday, is an unknown quantity. On the plus side, the trio can sing. ‘The girls are really talented. They sound amazing,’ says Alex, which might make it a hit with juries. However, the entry sounds like several songs added together, and while feeling contemporary, Alex thinks this makes it ‘harder to read the emotion’ and therefore tougher for the public to get behind. ‘I genuinely don’t know how the UK will do, for the first time in years,’ admits Caroline. It’ll be a nailbiter.