NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� The final brought acts from 25 countries to the Wiener Stadthalle arena in Vienna on Saturday night in a spirited battle for the continent鈥檚 pop crown. There was no shortage of talent, but not all songs are created equal.
If you’re a dedicated follower of Eurovision or simply curious to learn more about the contest’s best bangers, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s a list of the 10 best songs from the final, presented in no particular order.
Romania: Alexandra C膬pit膬nescu,
If you鈥檝e ever wondered what a nu-metal pop song would sound like, look no further than Romania鈥檚 Eurovision entry, 鈥淐hoke Me,鈥� by Alexandra C膬pit膬nescu. And it鈥檚 not just in her spoken-word interludes or that her delivery of 鈥淎ll I need is your love鈥� is eerily reminiscent of Gaga鈥檚 鈥淚 Want Your Love.鈥� But the track鈥檚 heaviness transforms it 鈥� and its performance is undeniable.
Italy: Sal Da Vinci,
It began with piano and built from there: To unexpectedly groovy production, with the classist vocalist Sal Da Vinci singing his heart out to a new love. 鈥淧er Sempre S矛,鈥� Italy鈥檚 entry, is a fun vintage romp for those who miss the Eurovision of yore. It works. And onstage Saturday, Da Vinci brought an effortless Italian charm.
Cyprus: Antigoni,
If Cyprus鈥� Antigoni looks familiar to you, it鈥檚 likely because she was previously a bombshell on 鈥淟ove Island UK.鈥� She might鈥檝e come and went on the super popular but her joyous 鈥淛alla鈥� is here to stay in 2026. It鈥檚 a summery pop song that weaves in traditional Cypriot instrumentation, including 莽ifteli and lute, making it the perfect soundtrack to the beach vacation in your brain.
Finland: Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen,
Finland鈥檚 entry electrified, as they were expected to do: They鈥檝e been an early favorite in the competition. Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen鈥檚 鈥淟iekinheitin,鈥� or 鈥淔lamethrower,鈥� is an animated mashup of pop singer Parkkonen鈥檚 anguished vocals and violinist Lampenius鈥� fiery fiddling. He鈥檚 an 鈥淚dol鈥� finalist; she鈥檚 a globally recognized classical musicians. It鈥檚 a winning combination.
Moldova: Satoshi,
What is there to say about Moldova鈥檚 Eurovision entry? Rapper Satoshi performs the cheekily patriotic 鈥淰iva, Moldova!鈥� with his full heart, in several languages, in a chorus so addictive it almost recalls the anthemic work of anthemic . Atop relentless flute, breakbeats, electronic production that doesn鈥檛 quit, it鈥檚 impossible not to root for them. Or, at the very least, to leave without 鈥淲elcome to Moldova!鈥� stuck in your head.
Bulgaria: Dara,
In another universe, Bulgaria鈥檚 Dara is a veteran pop performer at this stage 鈥� whose credits include 鈥淭he Voice,鈥� 鈥淭he X Factor鈥� and 鈥淒ancing with the Stars鈥� 鈥� but global super fame has so far passed her by. Here鈥檚 hoping that changes soon, because her up-tempo pop banger 鈥淏angaranga,鈥� with its is easily one of the most animated tracks of the bunch this year. And on stage, it was a mood elevator.
Serbia: Lavina,
No Eurovision Song Contest is complete without a pop metal entry 鈥� it鈥檚 not etched into law, but it might as well be. Serbia delivered just that at the final Saturday night with the easy-listening, spooky 鈥淜raj Mene鈥� by Lavina. Heavy guitars are made airy with gospel harmonies. Screaming is limited and so is the breakdown. But they brought a welcomed intensity, and that鈥檚 worth celebrating.
Australia: Delta Goodrem,
One of the most internationally recognizable performers of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest is . She was a judge on Australia鈥檚 hit TV talent show 鈥淭he Voice,鈥� a former star of Australian soap 鈥淣eighbours,鈥� and an artist mentored by who once wrote a track called 鈥淓yes on Me鈥� for (Dion, some might recall, won Eurovision representing Switzerland in 1988.) Goodrem鈥檚 full-throated singing style reaches new heights on her power ballad 鈥淓clipse.鈥� With stacked harmonies, virtuosic piano riffing and strong synth-y coda with a note that doesn鈥檛 quit, it鈥檚 a classic 鈥淓urovision鈥�-type tune. A wise choice from the woman from Down Under — and one that certainly resonated on Saturday night.
Albania: Alis,
It opens with a cinematic chant, a churchlike choir amplifying the theatrics. Dramatic, to say the least! Then, Alis, the vocalist behind 鈥淣芒n,鈥� takes over. It plays out like the soundtrack to an emotive transitional scene in a blockbuster 鈥� and on stage at the final, it continued to hold weight: He wore what appeared to be sequined chain mail in front of a screen as a woman, depicting a mother, circled him.
Belgium: Essyla,
What is there to say about Belgium鈥檚 Essyla? Her song 鈥淒ancing on the Ice鈥� is a cool ride: with its chilly vocal performance and production, the track is a decent pop tune in and outside of Eurovision. (Think of her as in the tradition of It almost makes it seem unfair that she was a runner-up on 鈥淭he Voice Belgique鈥� instead of its winner. At any rate, it seemed like she wanted to use her performance at the final as a call for justice, or at least, recognition.
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