Eurovision 2022

Good evening Europe! Saluti da torino!

Saturday night was Eurovision night and with Alice taking on the role of host, the Wayfarers made a return to Reservoir Road. With countries assigned, a variety of costumes of varying degrees of commitment were donned. Monsieur Brasher wore his beret wonderfully, whilst Peter Townsend flaunted his Greek flag. Harry T managed to support the Dutch whilst also advertising for Waitrose, Tash turned the Portuguese flag into a tricolour, and George claimed he was dressed as Graham Norton. Charlotte’s commitment to her San Marino costume was almost enough to qualify them for the finals. Sadly 7-time champions Ireland, along with Malta also didn’t make it through, but were still well supported by Helen and Alice. French cheese, Russian snacks, and Australian (everyone’s favourite Europeans) wine were consumed, and we all squashed around the TV.

Let the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest begin! With a lacklustre bang the night was started off with the Czech Republic, whose performance nobody remembers. With the exception of Norway’s ‘Give that Wolf a Banana’ it was a relatively tame night of performances by Eurovision standards. A tardily Italian backpacker rocked up on his bicycle mid-way through and proceeded to lay slander to the sacred institution of the contest. The UK’s Sam Ryder gave a wonderful performance (which I somehow managed to miss) and the evenings ‘singing’ wrapped up.

Despite good bookies odds nobody really expected the UK to get more than a handful of points, and certainly not reach the illustrious left-hand side of the board. But then as we passed from country to country the points came rolling in. ‘Douze’ points for the United Kingdom! And again, and again…even from the French. The Eurovision newbies of the group perhaps failing to grasp the magnitude of this achievement, although I believe my enthusiasm hopefully made up for this. With the jury vote counted Sam was firmly in the lead. Quiet optimism turned to slight disappointment mixed with respectful appreciation when Ukraine were awarded 500 points from the public vote, propelling them to the top of the leader board, and relegating the UK to second – our best position in two decades!

With the competition over, a hasty Au revoir, Arrivederci and Adios were bid by all as the colour run competitors dashed off home to drink a few gallons of water, and President Curtis rode off on his trusty steed into the night.