Results analysis: Numbers and statistics in the final

by Marcus Klier 121 views

As always after the Eurovision Song Contest, we take a look at the results from a statistical point of view. The analysis is split into four parts and the first part is dedicated to the numbers and records in the final.

The winner

Germany won the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time following Nicole's victory in 1982 with Ein bißchen Frieden. After two male soloists in a row, a female soloist could win the contest again. Lena is therefore the 34th female solo singer to win the competition. Julie Frost is the first female composer to win the contest since 2004 and the first female lyricist to win since 2005. She is the fifth female composer to win overall (following Nurit Hirsh in 1978, Marie N in 2002, Sertab Erener in 2003 and Ruslana in 2004) as well as the eleventh female lyricist to win the contest (following Lenny Kuhr in 1969, Liliane and Evelyn Koger in 1973, Britt Lindeborg in 1984, Nella Martinetti in 1988, Maian-Anna Kärmas in 2001, Marie N in 2002, Ruslana and Sherena Dugany in 2004 and Natalia Germanou in 2005).

The winning song received 246 points in the final, which means an average of 6.47 points per country voting (excluding Germany). The number is slightly higher than the lowest average number achived by a winner so far, which was 6.05 for Greece in 2005. Helena Paparizou received 230 points that year, when 39 countries were competing, too.

Best results (since)

One country achieved its best result ever tonight, which was Georgia finishing ninth on its third participation. Two countries managed to equal their best results so far: Germany (1st, previously achieved in 1982) and Romania (3rd, previously achieved in 2005).

Some countries achieved their best results in a while. Most notably, Denmark achieved the best result since 2001, when Rollo & King finished second on homeground. Belgium achieved the best result since the runner-up entry Sanomi in 2003. More importantly, it is the best result of an entry submitted by the Flemish broadcaster, which is taking turns with the French speacking broadcaster, since 1959, when Bob Benny also finished sixth (but among eleven participants only back then). Turkey achieved the best result since their only victory in 2003. Despite only finishing 15th, Spain achieved the best result since Ramón's 10th place in Istanbul in 2004.

Worst results (since)

Other countries did not so well. The UK finished last for the third time ever with the first last place coming in 2003 only. Moldova equaled its worst result in a final finishing sixth from last, but it has to be considered that the country did not qualify for the final in 2008. Belarus also achieved the worst result in a final to date but had qualified for the final for the second time only. Bosnia & Herzegovina finished 17th, which meant their lowest placing since 1997's Goodbye. Apart from the 2007 entry, which did not make it past the semi final, Norway achieved their worst result since 2004 as well as the worst result of a host country since Latvia in 2003.


12 points

The following countries got 12 points tonight:

  1. Germany – nine times
  2. Denmark – five times
  3. Azerbaijan – four times
    Greece – four times
  4. Turkey – three times
    Armenia – three times
  5. Georgia – twice
  6. Spain – once
    Cyprus – once
    Bosnia & Herzegovina – once
    Belgium – once
    Serbia – once
    Belarus – once
    Albania – once
    Romania – once
    Russia – once

Therefore, 16 of the 25 competing countries got at least one set of 12 points. The lowest placed entry that got twelve points is the Belarusian one, which came second last in the final.

The running order

Although the voting had started at the beginning of the show, entries later in the running order seemed to have an advantage as the top three were all performed in the second half of the show. However, the Azerbaijani was the most successful opening entry in the years of televoting and the most successful opening entry in total since Luxembourg's third place in 1986. The second and third spot in the running order turned out to be unlucky once again resulting in a 15th and 20th place respectively.

Stay tuned for the upcoming parts of our results analysis. The parts are:

  1. Numbers and statistics in the final
  2. Numbers and statistics in the semi final
  3. What if…?
  4. Voting blocs, friendly neighbours & diasporas