Portugal wins Eurovision 2017 contest in Kyiv

Thousands enjoyed three spectacular live shows at Kyiv’s International Exhibition Centre this week, with an expected 200 million viewers tuning in on television, Joinfo.com reports with reference to Eurovision.tv.

On YouTube, the Grand Final was watched by some 4 million people, breaking records.

It was the second time Ukraine hosted the contest, the first time was in 2005, also in Kyiv.

What an evening it has been!! 26 terrific acts sang their hearts out on stage, competing for the ultimate prize; the title of winner of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. However, in the end there could be just one winner and that was Portugal’s Salvador Sobral.

Many fans at the venue were brought to tears as Salvador was joined on stage by his sister Luísa, who also wrote and composed Amar Pelos Dois, when performing the reprise of their winning song. Luísa covered for her brother during many of the rehearsals, as Salvador himself could not be present in Kyiv for the full two weeks due to health issues.

Portugal was followed by Bulgaria’s Kristian Kostov, who won the second Semi-Final. Moldova came third with 374 points, at quite a distance from the winner and the runner-up. Last year’s host Sweden finished 5th, closely behind Belgium, which came 4th.

Spain came last with 5 points, followed closely by Germany with only 6 points. Host country Ukraine came third-last with 36 points.

Italy, which was widely tipped as potential winner by press, fans and bookmakers, eventually finished 6th.