Box Office Express

Eurovision 2014: Austria’s Conchita Wurst is the most strongest contender

Conchita Wurst representing Austria made it through the the Eurovision final performing the song Rise Like a Phoenix (Picture: AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

 

Conchita Wurst is now one of the favourites to win the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Despite petitions from Russia and Belarus to have her song blocked, Europe fell in love with Conchita Wurst when she took to the stage on Thursday night in her semi final.
During the voting, the audience constantly chanted ‘Conchita, Conchita’. In true television suspense, Austria were the last country to be announced as a qualifier.
The tension as either Austria or Israel, if not both, would be eliminated was electric.
The second Eurovision Song Contest semi final was widely seen as the toughest in 10 years of qualifying rounds at the competition.
Greece, Norway and Romania all safely saw passage through to Saturday night’s final.
Odds on Austria were a conservative 33/1 until the start of the show. Many thought she would struggle to win votes from Eastern Europe.

Conchita has suddenly become one of the favourites to win (Picture: AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Within minutes of Austria’s performance, betting was suspended by many bookmakers and by the time it restarted, odd’s on Austria’s first Eurovision Song Contest win since 1966 were slashed to as low as 5/2. Jumping from 25th place to hot favourite in the betting charts.
Conchita has toured Europe promoting her entry, always showing humility and gratitude for everyone that supports her. The reaction she received in London at Café de Paris brought her to tears. You could see how visibly touched she was during the voting window in Thursday’s Eurovision semi final.

Her first comments in the winners’ press conference was to say how shocked she was that Israel didn’t qualify and to complement their singer Mei Finegold.
She thanked the gay community and everyone that supported her.

Presenters kept Austria and fans waiting until the very last moment to announce Conchita had made the final (Picture: Getty Images)

Now Saturday night’s final awaits and it is looking increasingly like Conchita will be crowned champion.
If that happens, she will no longer be dubbed ‘The bearded lady’ but will be known as the Queen of Eurovision.