Estonia’s ‘Espresso’ and the Swedish Lonely Island: Who Will Win Eurovision This Year?

Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has something for everyone, from the Netherland’s dance-floor-ready resilience anthem and Estonia’s inspirational reminders about caffeine to Malta’s Wendy Williams-inspired glam pop and Sweden’s own version of the Lonely Island.

On Saturday, May 17, these acts will be part of the finals, which include 21 total countries. Some places, like Malta, could win for the first time, while others have been waiting for another victory for years (the U.K., for example, last won in 1997.) Eurovision 2025 will be hosted in Basel, Switzerland, since the country won last year’s song contest with Nemo’s “The Code.”

This year is another chance for the competing countries to have their own Celine Dion, ABBA, or Maneskin moment. Ahead of the finals, here are five of the top contestants who have a shot at winning Eurovision.

Sweden: KAJ, “Bara Bada Bastu”

Sweden has a gift for anyone who has ever thought to themselves, “What if the Lonely Island were Swedish?” The Finnish music and comedy group KAJ is representing the country this year with a song all about saunas, performed entirely in Swedish. “Bara Bada Bastu” is essentially their “I’m on a Boat,” except they’re, well, in a sauna. KAJ makes a strong case for just guys being dudes in their embrace of the type of comedic performances Eurovision viewers have come to expect from the contest. Sweden has won the contest seven times before. 

Malta: Miriana Conte, “Serving”

In the official music video for Miriana Conte’s song-contest entry “Serving,” the Maltese drag performer Trihanna Wilde recites one of Wendy Williams’ most iconic quotes: “She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment — now, come on now.” Conte lives up to the list of accolades. The musician goes full glam pop with the confidence of a winner, singing: “Why should we let other people decide, when we could be having the time of our lives?” She’s serving, and looks, vocals, and choreo are all on the menu. Bon appétit. Malta has never won the contest before, but its luck could change this year. 

Estonia: Tommy Cash, “Espresso Macchiato”

Sabrina Carpenter has “Espresso” on lock, but Tommy Cash is making a case for “Espresso Macchiato.” Representing Estonia in the song contest, the musician’s upbeat entry is as spiritually rejuvenating as it is deeply caffeinated. “No stresso, no stresso, no need to be depresso,” Cash offers in one reassuring verse. In another, he drops some more words of wisdom: “Life is like spaghetti, it’s hard until you make it.” It’s that kind of confidence that could take Cash far in the contest to earn Estonia its first win since 2001.

United Kingdom: Remember Monday, “What the Hell Just Happened?”

Girl groups are one of the United Kingdom’s most notable exports. It makes sense, then, that pop trio Remember Monday are representing the country in this year’s contest. They mark the first girl group to compete for the U.K. since Precious in 1999. “What the Hell Just Happened?” has all the chaos of a night out with the Spice Girls and the vocal prowess of a studio session with Little Mix — there’s even a little edge of influence from Queen infused in their melodies. Remember Monday only reached the semifinals of The Voice U.K., but they just might be able to bring home the trophy for the U.K. for the sixth time overall and the first time since 1997.

Netherlands: Claude, “C’est La Vie”

A few of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest entities share a common thread of embracing resilience during dark times. It creates an intriguing dichotomy for an event known for its quirky and eccentric character. Representing the Netherlands, Claude finds an appealing middle ground on his song “C’est La Vie.” The record is melodically fit for the dance floor, but lyrically apt for a journal entry. “Sometimes in love, sometimes miserable/And I still hear my mama’s voice inside of me/La melodie, la melodie,” he sings. “Oh, this roller coaster/And I will sing, until it’s over.” The Netherlands last won the contest in 2019, which marked its fifth win. 

From Rolling Stone US.