Eurovision fans say contest was ‘rigged’ to allow Sweden to win to coincide with ABBA anniversary

Eurovision fans have accused the Eurovision Song Contest of manipulating the result in order for Sweden to win.

Viewers allege organizers orchestrated Loreen’s win so that Sweden would host next year, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s win.

Each of the 26 acts battled to get the coveted glass microphone trophy, but it was Sweden that stormed to victory, with their act Loreen making history as the first woman to win the competition twice.

But not everyone agreed that Sweden deserved first place and speculated that the competition had been resolved.

One person said: ‘Look, I’m not saying it’s manipulated, but… Sweden wins the year before the anniversary of ABBA’s win seems all too convenient to me’.

Anniversary: ​​Viewers claim organizers orchestrated Loreen’s victory so that Sweden would host next year, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s victory

A second tweeted: “They really haven’t manipulated everything for Sweden to host the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s win bro. I am SALT’.

A third echoed, “this whole ABBA anniversary and Sweden winning seems a bit too coincidental to me, idk.”

A fourth agreed, writing: “I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but the idea that this is rigged for Sweden to host the 50th anniversary of Abba’s victory makes a lot of sense at this point.”

While a fifth added: “I love the instant conspiracy theory that #EUROVISION2023 was rigged so that next year could be in Sweden for ABBA & Waterloo’s 50th anniversary.”

And a sixth wrote: ‘They wanted Sweden to win, so ABBA will perform their 50th Eurovision anniversary in Sweden next year’.

Swedish group ABBA entered the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo and Bjorn, Benny, Agnetha and Anni-Frid were catapulted to stardom after their victory.

2024 will mark exactly 50 years since their decisive win, with many expecting the group to perform at next year’s competition.

Sweden was hit with more persistent accusations after fans also saw Loreen’s microphone left behind.

One fan commented, “Did they give Loreen the main mic for her performance yet?” Or is this just for the interview, do they normally do double mics?’

Deflated: But Britain’s Mae Muller looked distressed as the scores were read out for her performance, and she ended the evening with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favorites

Hosts: Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina, Hannah Waddingham and Graham Norton after all acts performed

On Saturday evening, Loreen won with no less than 583 points, followed closely by Finland. Ukraine, meanwhile, scored an impressive 243 points after shooting up in the standings thanks to the public vote.

But Britain’s Mae Muller looked sad when the scores were read out for her performance and she ended the evening with just 24 points despite being among the top ten favourites.

Liverpool hosted the game on behalf of war-torn Ukraine, who won it last year, and fans in the UK proudly showed their support for both countries.

Eurovision fans went wild for hosts Graham Norton, Hannah Waddingham, Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina.

Hannah Waddingham was forced to calm the jeering crowds in Liverpool and remind them that everyone was ‘friends’ when it was revealed that the British entry only got a handful of points in the public vote.

After the votes of the individual country jury, Sweden came out on top with 277 points, and they topped the leaderboard again when the public vote came through.

The entries of Italy and Israel follow in second and third place, almost neck and neck with 141 and 137 points.

Hannah and Graham spoke to announcers in the participating countries, who each explained where their 12 points would go.

But the ‘early days’ results for Eurovision 2023 put thth UK in the bottom half of the standings with just 15 points.

Audiences around the world were treated to further performances as they waited for the votes to be cast, with Queen’s Sam Ryder and Roger Taylor taking the stage.

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