The Netherlands wins Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv

SUMMARY

The Netherlands won the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv Saturday, with Duncan Laurence's doleful piano ballad "Arcade" crowned champion of Europe's annual music extravaganza. The 25-year-old was tapped as an early front-runner before the Grand Final but was only ranked third after the vote of professional juries from the 41 participating countries, trailing Sweden and North Macedonia. He surged ahead thanks to the fan vote, securing The Netherlands its fifth win ever in the competition. Italy finished second, followed by Russia, Switzerland and Norway.

By APMay 19, 2019 1:18:45 PM IST (Updated)

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final with the song "Arcade" in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday. In the rear is Israeli Netta Barzilai the winner in 2018. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands is watched by presenters Lucy Ayoub, left, and Israeli model Bar Refaeli as he holds the trophy after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final with the song "Arcade" in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands celebrates after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands performs his song, "Arcade" after winning the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Eurovision hosts from left, Assi Azar, Lucy Ayoub, Bar Refaeli, and Erez Tal walk onto the stage for the start of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Israeli singer Dana International, the winner of the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest performs before the start of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Israeli singer Dana International, left, the winner of the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest and Israeli Netta Barzilai, the winner of the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest perform during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Luca Hanni of Switzerland performs the song 'She Got Me" during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Kate Miller-Heidke of Australia, left, performs the song "Zero Gravity" during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)

Kate Miller-Heidke of Australia, centre, performs the song "Zero Gravity" during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Tel Aviv. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)