Eurovision votes cast and counted, the winner is [redacted]

Spoiler alert! The Eurovision votes have been cast and counted for Australia's first appearance in the European song contest.

Guy Sebastian representing Australia reacts as the results start to come in during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria's capital Vienna, Saturday, May 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson)

Guy Sebastian representing Australia reacts as the results start to come in during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria's capital Vienna, Saturday, May 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson) Source: AP

The Eurovision votes have been cast and counted for Australia's first appearance in the European song contest.

Sweden's Måns Zelmerlöw won the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna on Sunday, beating Russia and Italy in the big international talent show which will be held in his home country next year.

The 28-year-old singer and TV presenter performed the winning electro-pop ballad Heroes, dancing in front of a black screen with animated gnomes.

Sweden last won the 60-year-old competition in 2012.
Eurovision winner is announced
Mans Zelmerlow representing Sweden, right, reacts as the results start to come in during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria's capital Vienna, Sunday, May 24, 2015. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson) Source: AP
Australia's Eurovision entrant Guy Sebastian impressed the crowd at the 2015 European song contest in Vienna, and voting television audiences around the world, coming in fifth in the competition.
Australians had their first opportunity to cast their votes, with SBS Presenter Lee Lin Chin announcing Australia's votes.

Australia voted eight points to Italy, 10 to Russia and 12 to Sweden.
Sebastian's fifth means he won't be knighted by Tony Abbott and the prime minister won't have to declare a public holiday on Monday - as some suggested should occur if he somehow stole the title.

But the former Idol winner and X Factor judge always had more realistic ambitions, insisting he simply wanted to avoid the embarrassment of finishing last.

Sebastian received a top-three placing (either 12, 10 or eight votes) from Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

SBS newsreader Lee Lin Chin called in Australia's votes noting the newcomer was "very excited" to be appearing for the first time.

Australia's professional jury and voting public gave top points to Sweden followed by Russia and Italy meaning Australia called the contest exactly right.

Watch SBS Europe correspondent Brett Mason's interview with Måns Zelmerlöw ahead of the semi-finals



Earlier in the night, the crowd gave Sebastian a rapturous round of applause after he belted out his catchy pop tune Tonight Again which he wrote and recorded in just 72 hours.

The South Australian, who was selected by SBS to represent Australia, busted out some dazzling dance moves on stage alongside his four backing singers.
Eurovision winner is announced
Guy Sebastian, centre, representing Australia performs the song 'Tonight Again' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria's capital Vienna, Saturday, May 23, 2015. Source: AP
In the media centre a phalanx of photographers took pictures of Australian superfans who got to their feet and danced too.

Some 1000-odd journalists, bloggers and accredited fans from around the world sang along with Tonight Again and went a little bit crazy while watching Sebastian on big screens.

The 33-year-old performed 12th of the 27 entrants in the grand final.

He came two spots after Zelmerlow who dominated with a cool song called Heroes and even cooler on-stage graphics.
Eurovision winner is announced
Mans Zelmerloew representing Sweden celebrates his victory next to Conchita Wurst (left) at the Grand Final of the 60th annual Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria, 23 May 2015. There are 27 finalists from as many countries competing in the grand final. Source: APA
The Swede, like Sebastian a professional artist, received a huge cheer from the 11,000 fans packed into the arena when it became clear he'd won.

"I just want to say we are all heroes no matter who we are and what we believe in we are all heroes," Zelmerlow, 28, said on stage.

'The haters should take a good look at themselves'

Listen to SBS Reporter Biwa Kwan speak with Australian Eurovision fan Biwa Bhattacharya who is in Austria for Eurovision.

Eurovision winner is announced
Australian fan Bina Bhattacharya with her friend Isa before the Eurovision semi-final. Source: Supplied
Head to SBS Eurovision for all the latest Eurovision news, videos and party tips.

Watch Grand Final Sunday 24 May 7:30pm on SBS ONE





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Source: Reuters, SBS


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