Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest (original) (raw)

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Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Finland
Participating broadcaster Yleisradio (Yle)
Participation summary
Appearances 57 (49 finals)
First appearance 1961
Highest placement 1st: 2006
Host 2007
Participation history 19611962196319641965196619671968196919701971197219731974197519761977197819791980198119821983198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Related articles
Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu
External links
Yle Eurovision page
Finland's page at Eurovision.tv Edit this at Wikidata
For the most recent participation see_Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024_

Finland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 57 times since its debut in 1961. The Finnish participant broadcaster in the contest is Yleisradio (Yle), which has often selected its entrant with a national final, since 2012 known as Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu. The country won the contest for the first – and to date only – time in 2006 with "Hard Rock Hallelujah" performed by Lordi. The country's best result before then was achieved with "Tom Tom Tom" by Marion Rung in 1973, which placed sixth.

Finland has finished last in the contest eleven times, receiving nul points in 1963, 1965, and 1982. Since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, Finland has failed to reach the final eight times. In 2014, the country had its best result in eight years with "Something Better" by Softengine finishing 11th, a result that would be surpassed with "Dark Side" by Blind Channel, which came sixth in 2021, and later with "Cha Cha Cha" by Käärijä, which won the public vote and came second overall in 2023, the latter of which is Finland's second best result to date.

Yleisradio (Yle) is a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), thus eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. It has participated in the contest representing Finland since its sixth edition in 1961.

Before its 2006 victory, Finland was considered by many to be the under-achiever of the contest. Prior to 2006, it had placed last a total of eight times, three times with nul points. Finland's entry in 1982, "Nuku pommiin" by Kojo, was one of only fifteen songs to score no points since the modern scoring system was implemented in 1975. Due to poor results, Finland was relegated from taking part in 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003.[1][2]

In 2006, Finland won the contest with "Hard Rock Hallelujah" by the band Lordi, an entry that stood out from the Europop that had dominated the competition. The song scored the highest number of points in the history of the contest, with 292, a record that was later broken by Norway's Alexander Rybak in 2009.[3]

In 2015, Finland finished last in the first semi-final with the shortest-ever Eurovision song, the one minute and 27 seconds "Aina mun pitää" performed by Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät.[4] Finland reached the final for the first time in four years in 2018, with Saara Aalto placing 25th. After a non-qualification in 2019 with Darude and Sebastian Rejman, Blind Channel placed sixth in 2021, followed by a 21st place for The Rasmus in 2022 and a second place for Käärijä in 2023, the latter of which is Finland's second best result to date.[5]

All of Finland's entries were in English between 1973 and 1976, and since 2000 (with the exceptions of 2008, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2023); both of these periods allowed submissions in any language. Finland's entries in 1990 and 2012 were in Swedish, which is an official language in the country alongside Finnish. All of Finland's other songs have been in Finnish.

Participation overview

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Table key

1 First place
2 Second place
3 Third place
◁ Last place
X Entry selected but did not compete
† Upcoming event

Marcel Bezençon Awards

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You're a Vision Award

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Commentators and spokespersons

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Over the years, Yle has had several experienced radio and television presenters as commentators. The Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcast in Finland from 1960 to 2001 and from 2021 onwards by Yle TV1 and from 2002 to 2019 by Yle TV2.

  1. ^ In 2009, Finland qualified through the back-up jury selection.

  2. ^ The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  3. ^ Features uncredited vocals by Henri Piispanen

  4. ^ All conductors are of Finnish nationality unless otherwise noted.

  5. ^ Conducted by George de Godzinsky at the national final.

  6. ^ Conducted by Risto Hiltunen at the national final.

  7. ^ Only year between 1966 and 1989 where Finland participated and Ossi Runne was not their conductor; he instead provided television commentary. Runne still conducted at the national final.

  8. ^ Conducted by Ossi Runne at the national final.

  9. ^ Käärijä was initially appointed as the Finnish spokesperson, though he withdrew before the final and was replaced by Laaksonen.

  10. ^ "From 'Pump-Pump' to 'Cha Cha Cha': Finland's vibrant Eurovision history". eurovision.tv. 2023-08-09. Retrieved 2023-08-09.

  11. ^ Travers, Paul (2021-05-20). "Remembering when Lordi won Eurovision and took monsters to the…". Kerrang!. Retrieved 2023-07-08.

  12. ^ Mills, Matt (2023-05-05). "Hard rock hallelujah! How metal found an unlikely home at Eurovision". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-07-08.

  13. ^ Nagesh, Ashitha (2015-11-06). "This band's members have Down's syndrome and they're raising awareness with rock". Metro. Retrieved 2023-07-08.

  14. ^ Robertson, Ben (2023-02-25). "How UMK Became The Must Watch National Final". ESC Insight. Retrieved 2023-07-08.

  15. ^ Lassila, Juhani (2024-10-01). "Finland's Contest for New Music UMK to be held in Tampere at Nokia Arena on 8 February 2025 – record number of song entries submitted this year" (Press release). Yle. Retrieved 2024-10-01.

  16. ^ a b "Marcel Bezençon Awards". eurovision.tv. July 2019. Archived from the original on 16 July 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2019.

  17. ^ "Winners of the Marcel Bezençon Awards". eurovision.tv. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2019.

  18. ^ "Finland wint 'You're A Vision Award 2023' voor meest opvallende Songfestivaloutfit". Songfestival.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 May 2023.

  19. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2012). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. One: The 1950s and 1960s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 93–101. ISBN 978-1-84583-065-6.

  20. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2014). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. Two: The 1970s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 142–168. ISBN 978-1-84583-093-9.

  21. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2016). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. Three: The 1980s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84583-118-9.

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  23. ^ Pajala, Mari (2013). Badenoch, Alexander; Fickers, Andreas; Henrich-Franke, Christian (eds.). "Intervision Song Contests and Finnish Television between East and West". Airy Curtains in the European Ether: Broadcasting and the Cold War. Baden-Baden, Germany: Nomos: 215–270. doi:10.5771/9783845236070-215. ISBN 9783845236070 – via Academia.edu. Walli was closely involved in YLE's ESC productions; among other things he [...] provided the commentary for all the 1960s ESCs on Finnish television.

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  30. ^ "Radio ja televisio". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 5 March 1966. p. 33. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  31. ^ "Katseet kohti Luxemburgia". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 5 March 1966. p. 33. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

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  37. ^ "Eurovision laulukipailu -69". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 29 March 1969. p. 33. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

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  39. ^ "Radio ja TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 25 March 1972. p. 39. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  40. ^ "Radio ja TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 7 April 1973. p. 39. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  41. ^ "Radio ja TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 6 April 1974. p. 45. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

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  44. ^ "Viulu-ukko loppusuoralla". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 22 March 1975. p. 41. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

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  46. ^ "Fredi ja Friends ja Pump Euroviisuissa tänä iltana". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 3 April 1976. p. 27. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  47. ^ "Radio ja TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 7 May 1977. p. 39. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  48. ^ "Radio ja TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 22 April 1978. p. 37. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  49. ^ "Radio ja TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 31 March 1979. p. 39. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  50. ^ "Euroviisut". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 31 March 1979. p. 39. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  51. ^ "Radio · TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 19 April 1980. p. 71. Retrieved 14 November 2022.

  52. ^ "Brittivinoilua euroviisuista". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 22 April 1980. p. 17. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  53. ^ "Radio · TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 4 April 1981. p. 45. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  54. ^ "Viikon radio ja TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 23 April 1982. p. 47. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  55. ^ "Radio · TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 23 April 1983. p. 59. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  56. ^ "Radio · TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 5 May 1984. p. 61. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  57. ^ "Kirkan vuoro kuudentenatoista". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 5 May 1984. p. 61. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  58. ^ "Radio · TV". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 4 May 1985. p. 59. Retrieved 14 November 2022.

  59. ^ "Radio · Televisio". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 3 May 1986. pp. 50–51. Retrieved 14 November 2022.

  60. ^ "Radio · Televisio". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 9 May 1987. pp. 62–63. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  61. ^ "Radio · Televisio". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 30 April 1988. pp. 52–53. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  62. ^ "Euroviisut Dublinista". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 30 April 1988. p. 53. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  63. ^ "Radio · Televisio" [Radio · Television]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 6 May 1989. pp. 68–69. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  64. ^ "Marion Rung laulut ja Dolce Vita" [Marion Rung's songs and Dolce Vita]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 6 May 1989. p. 69. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  65. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 5 May 1990. pp. D11 – D12. Retrieved 14 November 2022.

  66. ^ Kajava, Juuka (7 May 1990). "Hyvin kävi euroviisuissa" [It went well at Eurovision]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 14 November 2022.

  67. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 4 May 1991. pp. D9 – D10. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  68. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 9 May 1992. pp. D11 – D12. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  69. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 15 May 1993. pp. D17 – D18. Retrieved 4 November 2022.

  70. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 30 April 1994. pp. D11 – D12. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  71. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 13 May 1995. pp. D15 – D16. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  72. ^ "TV-opastiedot: 13.05.1995". suomikassu.fi (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2024. 22.00 Eurovision laulukilpailu Euroviisut kilpailevat 40. kerran. Suoraa lähetystä bublinista selostavat Olli Ahvenlahti ja Erkki Pohjanheimo.

  73. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 18 May 1996. pp. D15 – D16. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  74. ^ Width, Terhi (18 May 1996). "Norjalaiset haluavat euroviisuille uutta ilmettä Euroviisuissa tutut suosikit: Iso-Britannia, Irlanti ja Ruotsi" [Norwegians want a new look for Eurovision, the familiar favorites in Eurovision: Great Britain, Ireland and Sweden]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 8 July 2022. Selostuksesta vastaavat Sanna Kojo ja Erkki Pohjanheimo Oslossa ja Minna Pentti Pasilassa. [Commentary is provided by Sanna Kojo and Erkki Pohjanheimo in Oslo and Minna Pentti in Pasila.]

  75. ^ "Televisio & Radio" [Television & Radio]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 3 May 1997. pp. D11 – D12. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  76. ^ Uusitorppa, Harri (3 May 1997). "Finlande, zero points – Olli Ahvenlahti ja Aki Sirkesalo edustavat Euronollaa Dublinissa" [Finland, zero points – Olli Ahvenlahti and Aki Sirkesalo represent Euronolla in Dublin]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.

  77. ^ "TV1". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 9 May 1998. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  78. ^ Pajala, Mari (2007). "Closeting Eurovision. Heteronormativity in the Finnish national television". Queer Eurovision. 2. Suomen Queer-tutkimuksen Seuran lehti: 25–42. Retrieved 20 June 2022. The commentary for the Finnish broadcast was provided by [...] Sami Aaltonen and Maria Guzenina.

  79. ^ "Radio Vega". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 9 May 1998. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  80. ^ "TV1". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 29 May 1999. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  81. ^ Sirpa, Pääkkönen (29 May 1999). "Osallistujat saavat nyt valita euroviisukielen" [Participants can now choose a Eurovision language]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2022.

  82. ^ "Radio Vega". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 29 May 1999. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  83. ^ "TV1". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 13 May 2000. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  84. ^ "TV1". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 12 May 2001. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  85. ^ "Radio Vega". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 12 May 2001. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  86. ^ "TV2". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 25 May 2002. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  87. ^ "Ohjelman tiedot : RITVA-tietokanta" (in Finnish). Retrieved 21 September 2023.

  88. ^ "TV2". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 24 May 2003. Retrieved 7 November 2022.

  89. ^ "Ohjelman tiedot : RITVA-tietokanta" (in Finnish). Retrieved 21 September 2023.

  90. ^ "TV2 – 12.5.2004". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 12 May 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

  91. ^ "FST – 12.5.2004". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 12 May 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2023.

  92. ^ "Susan Aho ilmoittaa Suomen pisteet Euroviisujen finaalissa" [Susan Aho announces Finland's points in the Eurovision finals]. Yle (in Finnish). 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2020.

  93. ^ Herbert, Emily (24 April 2019). "Finland: Krista Siegfrids Joins Mikko Silvennoinen in the Eurovision Commentary Booth". eurovoix.com. Retrieved 5 December 2019.

  94. ^ "Eurovision 2019 Spokespersons – Who will announce the points?". eurovisionworld.com. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2019.

  95. ^ "Yle tarjoaa ison joukon euroviisuihin liittyviä ohjelmia toukokuussa - viisuhuuma huipentuu suoriin lähetyksiin Rotterdamista". yle.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 2021-04-12.

  96. ^ Remes, Henkka. "Viisukupla – Eurovisionsbubblan arvioi tämän vuoden biisit kaksikielisesti". yle.fi (in Finnish). Yleisradio. Retrieved 2022-04-20.

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  98. ^ Oleander-Turja, Jaakko (2024-03-13). "Käärijä antaa Suomen pisteet Euroviisuissa! Tämän jutun avulla pääset kärryille viisuviikon kulusta" [Käärijä to give Finland's score at Eurovision! This article will help you stay up to date with the week's events]. yle.fi (in Finnish). Yle. Retrieved 2024-05-03.

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