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Switzerlands Nemo Wins the Eurovision Song Contest, Breaks Trophy (and Thumb)

Switzerland has won the Eurovision Song Contest.

Swiss entry Nemo stormed the contest with the song “The Code,” walking away with 591 points — a combination of a jury vote and public vote.

But during Nemo’s victory performance at the end of the four-hour show the singer accidentally dropped the microphone-shaped glass trophy, injuring their thumb in the process.

“I didn’t just break ‘The Code’ I also broke the trophy,” said Nemo during the press conference after the show, where their hand was wrapped in a bandage. “I broke my thumb as well. But I got a new [trophy] so I technically have two now.”

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The non-binary singer — who is the first Swiss Eurovision winner since Celine Dion won in 1988 — was presented with the trophy by last year’s winner, Swedish singer Loreen.

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Croatian entry Baby Lasagna came in second with 547 points during the 2024 contest followed by Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil with 453, France’s Slimane with 445 and Israel’s Eden Golan with 375.

The U.K., represented by singer and “It’s a Sin” actor Olly Alexander, finished in 18th place, receiving 46 points from the judges and zero points from the public.

Croatia won the most public votes — receiving 337 points from viewers at home — followed by Israel, who were awarded 323 and Ukraine, who garnered 307.

This year’s contest took place in Malmo, Sweden, hosted by Swedish comedian Petra Mede and actor Malin Akerman.

25 countries performed during the grand final. Originally there were set to be 26 competitors but the Dutch entry, Joost Klein, was disqualified at the last minute after a Swedish crew member complained about his behavior backstage. The Swedish police are reportedly investigating.

While many were hoping ABBA would reunite for the event — which marks the 50th anniversary of the band winning the show with their breakout hit “Waterloo” — the quartet only deigned to appear as their “Voyage” avatars live rom London. A trio of former Eurovision winners — Charlotte Perrelli, Carola Häggkvist and Conchita Wurstthen — appeared on stage to sing “Waterloo.”

Other historic Swedish acts who did make a live appearance were Björn Skifs singing his big hit “Hooked on a Feeling” — which hit No. 1 in the U.S. 50 years ago before getting a second lease of life in 2016’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” — and Alcazar, who have competed a number of times to be Sweden’s Eurovision entry over the past decades but never made it through. Sweden’s 2023 winner Loreen also returned to perform. Meanwhile Victoria, the Crown Princess of Sweden, opened the show with a pre-recorded VT filmed at her royal residence.

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Reinaldo Massengill

Update: 2024-07-16

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