Ukraine Strong Early Favourites To Win Eurovision 2022

Next week, countries around the globe will come together in Italy for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest. The competition will be hosted in Turin from the 10th-14th of May.

War-torn Ukraine has presented as early favourites to win the competition. The nation will be represented by the hip hop and folk music bending Kalush Orchestra whose entry song Stefania is already an anthem in their home state.

Stefania is currently the most-watched entry on YouTube among the 35 contenders. It was written by frontman Oleh Psiuk and acts as an ode to his mother.

In a recently conducted interview with Italian news outlet Ansa, Psiuk claimed that the band's entry would go well even before the Russian invasion.

“Some people are saying we could win because of the war, but our song was among the five favourites before the start of the conflict, which means people like it regardless. Those of us here represent every Ukrainian,” he said. 

“After Eurovision, we will return home to provide our contribution.”

The band received special permission to leave Ukraine, except one band member was forced to remain in Ukraine to fight in the war.

Russia is banned from performing at the contest, as their involvement may bring the contest into disrepute, according to event organisers.

Next week's contest will be its 66th consecutive year running and will be hosted in Italy for the first time in over 31 years, thanks to last year's winners Måneskin.

Back in February, Sheldon Riley was named Australia's representative for the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest after winning Eurovision: Australia Decides with Not The Same.

He follows on a list of highly esteemed Australian performers that have represented the country, including Guy Sebastian, Isaiah Firebrace, Montaigne, Dami Im, Jessica Mauboy and more.