Eurovision 2023: Best Nordic country odds

We know one fact for sure about Nordic acts at Eurovision, they know how to write a winning tune: From Abba to Lordi there are winners galore!

We take a look at their chances for the 2023 event in Liverpool. 

Most betting sites tend to put the Scandinavian countries and Iceland into the same category to give you the "Nordic Countries" in the betting markets, and between them, these countries have won the competition an impressive 11 times (Iceland has never won, but they have come second on two occasions (think of them as the modern-day Arsenal of entrants).

That means for the 65 times that the Eurovision Song Contest has run, the Nordic countries can claim 17% of the winners.

None of the Nordic entries are classed as one of the "top 5 countries" nor did they win last year, that means that all the countries must make it through the semi-final shows to reach the live final on Saturday night at the M&S Bank Arena.

Three of the five countries qualified from the first semi-final on Tuesday, May 9, so we will look at their chances first:

Sweden: Loreen - Tattoo

Throughout Eurovision history, Sweden has triumphed on six occasions, seizing victory in 1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, and 2015.

This year, Sweden's hopes are pinned on the return of their previous champion, Loreen, who will represent the country for the second time and is currently tops the list in the Eurovision Odds.

Her participation aims to secure Sweden's first Eurovision victory in this new decade. With her lively pop song titled 'Tattoo,' Loreen strives to recreate the same level of success she attained with her anthemic 2012 triumph, 'Euphoria.'

Finland: Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha

Finland's unforgettable victory at Eurovision in 2006 with Lordi's 'Hard Rock Hallelujah' remains etched in the memories of many. While it stands as their sole triumph to date, Käärijä aims to rewrite history with his Finnish-language entry, 'Cha Cha Cha'.

Setting itself apart with a truly distinctive sound, the song seamlessly blends techno beats, distorted guitars, rap elements, and an irresistibly catchy chant that is bound to captivate both the audience and the judges. With its unique composition, 'Cha Cha Cha' has all the makings of a crowd-pleaser that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Norway: Alessandra - Queen Of Kings

Alessandra gained prominence through her participation in Norway's edition of The Voice, she is poised to represent her country with the empowering electronic anthem 'Queen of Kings'.

The track, characterized by its pulsating energy, revolves fervently around the empowering essence of female strength and resilience.

Alessandra showcases her vocal prowess throughout the performance, seamlessly transitioning between Norwegian and English, with the majority of the song delivered in the latter.

Norway boasts a commendable record with three previous victories in the contest, it has been quite some time since their last triumph.

The country's most recent win was in 2009 when Alexander Rybak claimed the trophy with the folk-inspired masterpiece 'Fairytale'. Prior to that, Norway had emerged victorious in 1985 and 1995.

Semi-Final 2 Heartbreak 

Following the thrilling second semi-final on Thursday evening, the anticipation was high as the Nordic hopefuls, Denmark with their captivating entry "Breaking My Heart" by Reiley and Iceland with the "Power" performed by Diljá, took the Eurovision stage. Both nations had been eagerly supporting their representatives, hoping for a spot in the grand finale.

However, despite their excellent performances, fate dealt a tough blow, as neither Denmark nor Iceland managed to secure qualification from the highly competitive event. The disappointment was palpable among the artists, their dedicated teams, and the fans who had rallied behind them.