Spain’s entry won just six votes the Netherlands, 11. Germany, the dominant force in European politics, - received only three votes on Saturday, coming in second-to-last. Could it have something to do with Britain’s departure from the European Union? But, also, maybe it doesn’t. It’s the first time Britain has finished with zero since 2003. James Newman, Britain’s entry, suffered the biggest embarrassment of the night - receiving no points from the judges, and none from the public either. Third place went to Switzerland’s Gjon’s Tears with “Tout l’Univers,” also in French. Is now the hour for French? On Saturday, Barbara Pravi came second for France with “Voilà” - a traditional slice of chanson that many critics compared to the songs of Édith Piaf. French could be the next language to conquer global popįor the past few years, Spanish-language pop has surged in the American and European pop charts thanks to acts like Bad Bunny, Rosalía and C. Finland’s Blind Channel came in sixth with an angry nu-metal song called “Dark Side,” while The Black Mamba, representing Portugal, came in 12th with “Love Is On My Side,” a piece of classic 1970s rock music that wouldn’t have been out of place in Paul McCartney’s back catalog. Maneskin’s win with “Zitti E Buoni,” a song filled with off-color lines and lyrics about smoking, was not the only sign of a rock resurgence. Rock ’n’ Roll isn’t dead - in Europe at least “Open Up” was the slogan of this year’s competition, and for many coming out of lockdowns, this weird music contest was indeed a new start. But tonight in Rotterdam, none of that really mattered. Yes, Germany had a dancing hand, and Finland presented a heavy metal band the British never get any points, and Eastern European countries love hair extensions and glittery dresses. Here, people danced, cheered, drank and slapped one another on the shoulders.Įurovision is a campy trifle to some, but it celebrates Europe’s cultural diversity. The show in the Ahoy Arena showed a glimpse of life as we knew it, and a future where the virus may be under some form of control. The Netherlands, whose confidence was undermined because of its mismanaging of the pandemic, did a great job organizing the event. Not only because of Italy’s victory, but also because this was the largest in-person entertainment event in Europe since the start of the pandemic. Ilvy Njiokiktjien for The New York TimesĮurovision 2021 will certainly go down in the history books. Image Eurovision fans waiting in the rain to enter the Ahoy Arena before the final on Saturday in Rotterdam.