The UK’s Eurovision entry has been handed a bitter blow by the bookies who don’t have a lot of confidence in the chances of victory. Mae Muller has said she is “ready to get this show on the road” ahead of Saturday’s Eurovision final - but it looks like the wheels might come off with one bookmaker making her a long shot at 66/1.
The odds are against her track, I Wrote A Song coming out on top this evening - with PaddyPower much preferring Sweden on 4/9, Finland at 13/5, and Ukraine at 9/1. Other contenders are Israel 18/1, Norway 40/1, France 40/1 and Spain at 45/1 before we get to the UK. Favouite for ‘nul points’ is Albania at 500/1 to win.
After months of preparation, the 25-year-old singer from north London will finally perform her track for the international voting public. Muller is hoping to continue the success of last year’s UK entry Sam Ryder, who finished second behind Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine.
Twenty-six acts will perform at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool to an expected global audience of 160 million viewers, according to the BBC, after the UK agreed to host the contest on behalf of war-torn Ukraine. Austria will open the show with Teya and Salena’s quirky dance-pop tune Who The Hell Is Edgar?, about being possessed by the ghost of 19th century Gothic author Edgar Allan Poe.
Muller will close the show with I Wrote A Song – a slot generally considered a disadvantage. But they all face tough competition from previous winner Loreen representing Sweden and Kaarija representing Finland, both favourites to win.
Fans may also struggle to reach Liverpool for the celebrations due to a strike by workers in the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT). It comes after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the event, said it had declined Mr Zelensky’s request to speak on Saturday over fears it could politicise the contest.
He had wanted to make an unannounced video appearance and had been expected to implore the global audience of millions to continue backing his country in its fight to repel Russian invaders. The EBU said Mr Zelensky had “laudable intentions” but “regrettably” his request was against the rules.
The move prompted criticism from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his predecessor Boris Johnson, among other figures. The EBU has declined to comment further.
Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram has said he will speak to both the Ukrainian ambassador and the mayor of Lviv, who are both in the city for the final, “to discuss what we can do to provide a platform” for Mr Zelensky. Mr Johnson tweeted on Saturday: “Tonight’s #Eurovision was meant to be hosted by Ukraine, but Putin’s unjust invasion made that impossible.
“The UK is honoured to host in Ukraine’s stead, and Liverpool stands in solidarity with all Ukrainians tonight. Let’s celebrate the unifying power of music”
It comes after the full line-up of the grand final was revealed following the second knockout round on Thursday night. After 16 countries competed, the 10 remaining spots went to Poland, Australia, Cyprus, Albania, Estonia, Belgium, Austria, Lithuania, Armenia and Slovenia.
The 10 countries that qualified from Tuesday’s semi-final were Croatia, Moldova, Switzerland, Finland, Czechia, Israel, Portugal, Sweden, Serbia and Norway. They will join the so-called “big five” nations – the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain – who each get a free pass because of their financial contributions to the event, along with last year’s winners Ukraine.
The Eurovision grand final will air live on BBC One from 8pm on Saturday.
