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oreen of Sweden has won the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, while the UK’s Mae Muller finished second from last.
The singer, who previously triumphed in 2012, made history as the first woman, and only the second person, to win the contest twice.
She scored a total of 583 points after the public and jury votes were combined, narrowly beat Finland’s Kaarija who scored 526.
The win also ties her native Sweden with Ireland as the nation with the most wins, with seven apiece.
It also means the contest will take place in the home nation of Eurovision legends Abba on the 50th anniversary of their win in 1974.
After she was announced as the winner at the M&S Bank Arena, Loreen returned to the stage and was handed the trophy by last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine.
She said: “This is overwhelming. I’m so happy and I’m so thankful.”
Addressing the crowd, she added: “Thank you for this, this is for you.”
Loreen had performed her anthemic dance-pop song Tattoo for the international voting public, singing from an illuminated enclosed space on the stage.
Her win means she equals the record held by Irish singer Johnny Logan, who triumphed at the contest in both 1980 and 1987.
Ukrainian presenter Julia Sanina was hugged by co-hosts Alesha Dixon and Hannah Waddingham as the show came to a close.
Dixon said this year’s contest was something “that will live in our hearts for a very long time”.
Loreen then took to the stage to perform her song Tattoo for a second time.
Later, she added: “Not in my wildest dreams did I think this was going to happen.”
There was disappointment for UK entrant Muller who scored only 24 points despite an energetic performance of her track, I Wrote A Song.
Below her on the leaderboard was only Germany’s heavy metal band Lord Of The Lost with 18.
She had hoped to continue the success of last year’s UK entry Sam Ryder, who finished second behind Kalush Orchestra.
Commiserations came from the BBC, who organised the contest in partnership with the European Broadcasting Union.
The broadcaster’s official Twitter account posted: “Mae, we’re so proud of you and everything you’ve achieved at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.”
As the show ended, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Liverpool, you’ve done the United Kingdom and Ukraine proud.
“What a fantastic celebration for #Eurovision2023 Congratulations @Loreen_Talhaoui. Sweden it’s over to you.”
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