He came, he sang and he won the hearts of the whole continent. On Saturday, Salvador Sobral gave Portugal its first ever Eurovision victory after 49 years, and the Portuguese are giving him a massive welcome in return. Hundreds of people were waiting for the “Amar pelos dois” singer at Lisbon’s Aeroporto Humberto Delgado.

Salvador Sobral arrives in Portugal

Salvador’s plane landed around 16.00 (Portugal time) and the crowd went crazy for the winner. Amidst all the cheering and applause, the Eurovision 2017 winner felt totally overcome by the situation.

“I still don’t know how I’m going to deal with all this”, he commented. Totally understandable: how can one know how to feel when all these people are waiting for you at the airport?!

Obrigado, Portugal, Portugueses! ????

A post shared by Sal Sobral (@salvadorsobral.music) on

The homecoming was, just like the whole of his journey, a family affair. Salvador arrived at the airport with his sister Luísa, who composed “Amar pelos dois”. She couldn’t help but crying at the airport, and later, she shared this emotive message on Facebook:

I couldn’t control myself and I cried like a baby when I saw this sea of people. It feels so good to see that art also moves people this way. I’m very thankful to all those who came to receive us, all those who gave us support, to our musician friends who sent us very beautiful messages and to RTP for having always defended our song with tooth and nail. Now I will be able to tell my son someday: “Did you know that me and your uncle once won Eurovision?”

Emotions were running high in Lisbon after their first victory ever. The team of wiwibloggers were also feeling the emotions in Kyiv last night, especially our Portuguese correspondent, Bernardo. We filmed the reaction — check it out here!

Both Salvador and Luísa talked to the press after their arrival in Lisbon. They mentioned their victories in the Marcel Bezençon Awards. The Sobral siblings received the Artistic Award and the Composer Award, and for Luísa, those were “even more important than the Eurovision trophy”.

Speaking of the trophy, now that they won, the crystal microphone will stay at their parents home, just like Luísa told us after the second rehearsal:

Salvador’s victory will take us to Portugal for the first time in history. Were you in Lisbon greeting Salvador? Do you agree with the final result? Are you planning to go to Lisbon? How has PED hit this year? Tell us in the comment section below!

READ MORE PORTUGAL NEWS HERE

*BUY THE SALVADOR SOBRAL EUROVISION T-SHIRT

*BUY THE SALVADOR SOBRAL PHONE CASE

81 Comments
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quince
quince
6 years ago

https://www.escxtra.com/2017/05/14/eurovision-2017-old-voting/ Portugal got 417 points in the old system, out of a total of 492! 2017 Portugal – Salvador 85%!!!!!!!!! 2016 Ukraine – Jamala 57% 2015 Sweden – Mans 78% 2014 Austria – Conchita 67% 2013 Denmark – Emelie 62% 2012 Sweden – Loreen 76% 2011 Azerbaijan – Eli/Nikki 44% 2010 Germany – Lena 54% 2009 Norway – A. Rybak 79% 2008 Russia – Dima 54% ……… 2001 Estonia – Padar… 75% 2000 Denmark – Olsens 71% 1997 UK- Katrina 79% 1994 Ireland – Rock’n Roll kids 78% 1986 Belgium – Sandra Kim 77% 1982 Germany – Nicole 79% 1976… Read more »

Justin K.
Justin K.
6 years ago
Reply to  quince

Even if you look at the possible number of points available (12 points x 2 sets x 41 countries = 984 possible points), his 758 is still a massive ~77%. Jamala’s 534 comes out to ~54%—it’s still an impressive majority, and it contributed to one of the most exciting voting sequences in recent memory. (For the record, Kristian’s 615 comes out to ~63%, while third place Moldova’s 374 comes out to ~38%.) Even more impressively, Salvador only missed points from two juries (Bulgaria and Montenegro), and Kristian only three (Armenia, Portugal, and Ukraine); they both pretty much dominated the televote,… Read more »

Kai
Kai
6 years ago

Yes..RTP already decided. It will be in Lisbon..and probably in MEO Arena (3rd largest indoor arena in Europe) It will be great for sure 🙂

Jean
Jean
6 years ago

This just in: Lisbon is the city for the event in 2018. RTP just? announced it. Yet to be decided is the event spot.

http://www.escportugal.pt/2017/05/ultima-hora-eurovisao-2018-sera-em.html?m=1

PP
PP
6 years ago

Winner with impresive % of all votes from 1976 UK 1976 they got 80,4 % of all votes FR Germany 1982 got 78,9 % of all votes Belgium 1986 got 77,2% of all votes Ireland 1994 got 78,5 % of all votes UK 1997 got 78,8 % of all votes Norway 2009 78,6 % of all votes Sweden 2015 77,99% of all votes Portugal 2017 77,03 of all votes WInner with not impresive % of all votes form 1976 Azerbaijan 2011 43,84 % of all votes Greece 2005 50,4 % of all votes Germany 2010 53,95 % of all votes… Read more »

quince
quince
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

in the old system Portugal would get 417 points, meaning 85% of the total. It’s a record, and nobody’s talking about it!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zWkZ1GlRdHgEd50shsTaWrsMC7AwdURUTZilpBEkacQ/pubhtml

Oscar
Oscar
6 years ago
Reply to  quince

You should make this corrections to that file…
Aus: 8, Bul: 3, Est: 10, Ita: 5, Mal: 10, Mon: 5
Portugal would have 414 and not 417, so 84% (not 85%).
Anyway the conclusion will be the same, it’s a record!

Oscar
Oscar
6 years ago
Reply to  Oscar

Ok, I was not doing this right. The combination was done by looking at the best ranking between jury and televote, not at the sum of votes. So, it really is 417 for Portugal. Even more impressive…

Oscar
Oscar
6 years ago
Reply to  Oscar

Ok, I double checked the numbers and the way they were computed and it turns out I was right. 414 is the correct figure.
You can see my comments in here for more details:
https://www.escxtra.com/2017/05/14/eurovision-2017-old-voting/

Oscar
Oscar
6 years ago
Reply to  Oscar

To sum up 414 using the system in place from 2009-2012, or 417 using the system in place from 2013-2015.

PP
PP
6 years ago

Intersting, If we had 100% televote in Portugal, Viva la Diva would compete for Portugal.They won 2 time televote in I semi (Salvador was 3rd) and in final ( Salvador was 2nd)

Mark Beckenbreur
Mark Beckenbreur
6 years ago

I’m so happy for Portugal!
Congratulations <3

Sophia Stedman
Sophia Stedman
6 years ago

PED sucks, especially in the first month or so

Order Viagra
6 years ago

Hello! Cool post, amazing!!!

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

Have you guys seen this video?: https://youtu.be/gGTXOz-gXig?t=7m29s

I don’t get what was that reaction from the italian HOD right after they announced Bulgaria’s televote points. Was he insulting the portuguese delegation or was he celebrating?

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Celebrating. Portugal had just won. Why on earth would he insult them?

Tiago S
Tiago S
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Celebrating, obviously. Insults are usually just a YouTube/internet thing, believe it or not kids.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago
Reply to  Tiago S

I wondered because I saw comments saying he was insulting or whatever, but yeah, I thought so too (that he was trying to tell them they had won)

Richardinho
Richardinho
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

That is a fun video though. It’s amusing to see how glum the Belarus and Armenian delegations are when the cameras aren’t on them. Not that I blame them!

Hada
Hada
6 years ago
Reply to  Richardinho

tbh Armenia lookd more in suspense than anything else. Now Demy in the back id look glum.

KennyESC
KennyESC
6 years ago
Reply to  Richardinho

Where did you see Belarus, Greece etc reactions if cameras weren’t on them?

Kai
Kai
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Italy was happy for a portuguese victory and most of italians fans too.
Haters only act on network..thank God

quince
quince
6 years ago

Hey! Could you guys write an article about the fact that Salvador just broke the record of total % of points possible in the old system?! As per https://www.escxtra.com/2017/05/14/eurovision-2017-old-voting/ he got 417 points in the old system, of a total of 492, meaning 85%! In the last 10 years it was: 2016 Ukraine – Jamala 57% 2015 Sweden – Mans 78% 2014 Austria – Conchita 67% 2013 Denmark – Emelie 62% 2012 Sweden – Loreen 76% 2011 Azerbaijan – Eli/Nikki 44% 2010 Germany – Lena 54% 2009 Norway – A. Rybak 79% 2008 Russia – Dima 54% ……… 2001 Estonia… Read more »

Zack
Zack
6 years ago
Reply to  quince

You have to remember some years had different amount of countries. Ex. 2008 had 42 and 2014 has only 37
Another note Loreen got 372, and Mans got 365 but since their were less countries in 2015 he has higher percentage than Loreen.
Nevertheless, We should look forward now and start the records under the new voting system starting in 2016. Different times and different motivations for voting.

quince
quince
6 years ago
Reply to  Zack

2017 Portugal – Salvador – 758 = 417 in old system, out of 492 max = 85%
2015 Sweden – Mans – 365 pts / 468 max = 78%
2012 Sweden – Loreen – 372 / 492 max = 76%
etc
etc

You can check the numbers yourself 🙂

quince
quince
6 years ago
Reply to  Zack

And I’m not saying it’s the best winner ever, I’m just saying it’s a MONUMENTAL record, beating by 5% the previous holder, the UK entry of 1976 who got around 80% of the total votes possible!… In other words, in the history of Eurovision since the 12-10-8.. voting system started in 1975 never a winner was so unanimously voted!!!!!!! I think someone should be writing an article about this, Williaaaaaaammmmmmmmm! 🙂

man
man
6 years ago
Reply to  Zack

he is right… making correctly the accounts, Portugal has the highest score ever of all eurovision,.

EUROFAN MEXICO
6 years ago
Reply to  quince

I AM SO HAPPY WITH THIS NEW RECORD FOR A GREATH AN UNFOGATABLE SONG.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago
Reply to  quince

Party might be for everybody, but heartbreak is universal.

Lumi
Lumi
6 years ago

Totally different subject but is anyone looking forward to what the EBU will decide with Russia and Ukraine now that the contest is over? Sorry I just really like reading about drama ?

Gloria
Gloria
6 years ago
Reply to  Lumi

Since that Ukrainian fan flashed his ass on TV pretending to from Australia, I’m curious to see how this affects Ukraine in general with all the drama in the past year with Russia.

Kai
Kai
6 years ago
Reply to  Lumi

Russia already said they will participate be in 2018

John
John
6 years ago

Congratulations Portugal. You deserve it. Record points ever, record 12 points given, unanimously highest score from jury votes and televote from 42 countries with 400 millions people. Beautiful and a hearthbreaking song. Eurovision made history.

???
???
6 years ago

???????

Nicola
Nicola
6 years ago

Wiwibloggs, can you please write an article about what the spokesperson from Israel said about the IBA shutting down forever. Does thatmean Israel will no longer participate?

Nicola
Nicola
6 years ago
Reply to  Nicola

Sorry, I posted twice

azaad
azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  Nicola

It just means that there will be a new Israeli broadcaster, which I imagine might be a corporate rather than public one. Israel will probably withdraw for a couple of years as it will need to be set up.

Nicola
Nicola
6 years ago

Wiwibloggs, can you please write an article about what the spokesperson from Israel said about the IBA shutting down forever. Does that mean Israel will no longer participate?

trz_maier
trz_maier
6 years ago

#notmywinner

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  trz_maier

But it is a lovely song even if not your favourite 😀

Kai
Kai
6 years ago
Reply to  trz_maier

it was not suppose to please you…it was european song contest and Portugal won. Deal with that

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago

Well deserved winner! Lisbon 2018 – here we come!

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

Woohoo 🙂

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

I would love Lisbon 2018 to be my first time live at Eurovision 🙂 🙂

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

It will be the perfect way to celebrate graduating as a doctor 🙂

Ana
Ana
6 years ago
Reply to  Donna Vey

Come along.. Meo Arena will be waiting!! I will pay you a drink 😀

Andre
Andre
6 years ago
Reply to  Donna Vey

You should totally come. I’ll also celebrate the graduation as a doctor :p

John
John
6 years ago

A beautiful song from Salvador Sobral. You thank me later.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nglpp3QSiI

gogogo
gogogo
6 years ago

Salvador isn’t the only odd person in ESC.
https://youtu.be/pywlzGZk7tE
https://youtu.be/RJ3nVJ2gTf8

Spaniards are making fun of him, ahaha

4li3n
4li3n
6 years ago

It’s funny a country that just wannabe winner with strategic songs failed several times. This year RTP decided to ignore the strategic and just invited composers with songs without strategies (although some decided to typical cheesy strategy) and alternative language. So we had our national final Pedro Gonçalves (Kristian Kostov Portuguese version) or Viva La Diva, etc, but it didn’t happen. I really like calm songs and with emotional melody and Portugal this year only sent a genuine song with calm and beautiful melody singing in “weird” language and (I HAVE NO WORDS) the eurovision next year is a new… Read more »

gogogo
gogogo
6 years ago
Lisboa 2018
6 years ago

Parabe’ns Portugal

Sam
Sam
6 years ago

Bravo Portugal! Under the old scoring system, Portugal would have received 405 points, the most ever!

Leo Herlington
Leo Herlington
6 years ago
Reply to  Sam

NEW 785, OLD 417, actually! Alexander Rybak managed 387. Now, we have a new record!
https://www.escxtra.com/2017/05/14/eurovision-2017-old-voting/

quince
quince
6 years ago
Reply to  Sam

Hi! I had just noticed that but calculated 421! That would be a Eurovision record of 85,6% of total votes… It’s strange nobody’s talking about THAT!!! 🙂

PP
PP
6 years ago
Reply to  Sam

How they calculated points. From final 2009 to final 2012, TOP 10 televote+ TOP 10 juries gave us TOP 10. From final 2013, TOP 25 or 26 (final 2015) tevote + TOP 25 or 26 (final 2015) gave us TOP 10. Example Poland 2014 first with televote in UK and Ireland last 25 in both countries with nuries. From 1998 to 2008 they would got 24 points from them(12+12). From 2008 to 2013 they would got 6 points mimimum from them(3+3). From 2013 to 2016 they got O point lime they did. From 2016 they would got 24 of 48… Read more »

D
D
6 years ago

Whether you like the song or not, you can’t not feel happy for them and the entirety of Portugal. It’s always nice to see a country win for the first time, and it’s also nice to see the winners be such genuine people.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago
Reply to  D

amen!!!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Meanwhile…
Alexander Rybak has released a “tribute” version of Portugal’s ‘Amar Pelos Dois’ with new lyrics in ENGLISH!
Here it is: https://youtu.be/FNd3tyY7CcA

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Makes me wanna go back studying the violin again. Alexander is just so good.

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

I really hope he gets better.

It’s pretty obvious now that he has a heart condition, and his baggy clothes conceal an external pacemaker.

gogogo
gogogo
6 years ago

The Portuguese win is all over the world!

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

Such a touching victory in many ways. The reprise at the end will become an enduring & iconic moment. Great to see them getting such a warm welcome home. Yay.

Liam Alan Lindsay
Liam Alan Lindsay
6 years ago

Congrats to Salvador from the UK, he truly truly deserves it.
Hopefully I could be there in Lisbon next year.
Furthermore does anyone think that the televote at the final towards the UK was in anyway influenced by Brexit/ EU Referendum?
I personally think it’s a farce that the United Kingdom came in fifteenth place, with a song that deserve to be Top 5.

Your Thoughts?

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago

Why does the UK song deserve to be Top 5 in ESC if it was not good enough for the UK Top 40 chart?

Stop sending us your second-rate stuff and then you will see what is just deserved.

Lucie was very nice, the staging was wonderful, the song was ok but she certainly give one of the best vocals on the night. But it only came 84th in the UK chart: this does not mean it deserves Top 5 in ESC. There were many deserving songs on the night.

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago
Reply to  Donna Vey

It charted at 84 because most people in the UK only heard it for the first time on Saturday. It’s currently 14 on the UK iTunes chart, only behind Portugal who are 13.

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

24-hour honeymoon period after the ESC is expectable. It’s still far from the best the UK could send to ESC. I’m not knocking Lucie, I like her and I liked the performance + staging, but the song was not the most interesting on the night. It’s slightly arrogant to think an X Factor reject should come top against X Factor winners like Kristian Kostov and established stars (in Portugal) like Luisa Sobral (who spearheaded Salvador’s entry). It’s good to punch above your weight, Lucie did amazing, but just because the UK stepped up for the first time since Jade Ewen… Read more »

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
6 years ago
Reply to  Donna Vey

Correction: Sorry I said Kristian Kostov was an X Factor winner but he was the runner-up.

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

To be fair the UK doesn’t really have a diaspora or a lot of neighbours to rely on for votes, and the song was jury bait and so might’ve isolated some viewers. Lucie should’ve got more than 12 points from the televote for sure, but considering that the UK have been 24th for 2 consecutive years, I’m sure that the BBC and her were thrilled to be 15th and come top 10 with the juries.

L'oiseau de Portugal
L'oiseau de Portugal
6 years ago

I said it before. I have a strong feeling that Brexit has influenced the televote. Her performance was flawless (what a difference it makes to hear a native English speaker interpreting a song!…) and the staging just right. I don’t think it was a winner but very easily get in top 10

gogogo
gogogo
6 years ago

Portugal is embracing Eurovison Song Contest!
It’s all over news, here.
Almost 2,5 million portuguese people watched the ESC final.
In 2016 it was only 505K.

http://www.escportugal.pt/2017/05/esc2017-saiba-quantas-pessoas.html?m=1

PP
PP
6 years ago
Reply to  gogogo

When country is out of final, number of tv viewers decrease , but if you are in final and strong conntender to win rating of tv viewers increase

Guðrún Karlsdóttir
Guðrún Karlsdóttir
6 years ago

Well deserved winner. I voted for him 10 times in the final and I don’t care what haters say. There always has to be people complaining when they are not satisfied with results. Same story every year. 🙂

Paul D.
Paul D.
6 years ago

I remember you predicting Portugal would win weeks ago :O Well done !!

SweetestJane
SweetestJane
6 years ago

Don’t be so mean. I would like to see you being always interested in Eurovision during 50 years with no winnings. I remember that in my childhood Eurovision was a family party and we stood together watching it. But then we never won even when we had strong songs from good writers and singers that were a success in Portugal. We got to a point where we thaught we would never win. This year my interest and of many Portuguese started when we heard Salvador singing and we commented among friends: this is beautiful. Salvador, Luísa are examples of a… Read more »

Da
Da
6 years ago
Reply to  SweetestJane

I dont know who you are responding to. But I have never claimed the things you are writing. I wul enjoy ESC in portugal

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

OMG!! That’s a crowd! This feeling must be amazing! Enjoy your 1st victory Portuguese people. You deserve it. I really want to be in Lisbon next year. It will be beautiful. And no, PED hasn’t hit me yet cause I’m still full of emotions from last night! I haven’t realised it’s over! In short time, though, I will!! P.S.: At the end of this Eurovision season, I’d like to thank you @William Lee Adams for the coverage. You’ve travelled a lot during the preview parties, you’ve worked hard, you’ve slept few hours in order to keep us up to date… Read more »

Kai
Kai
6 years ago

of course they didn´t care that much..so many bad results and humiliation..they totally lost their faith until 2017 🙂

shut up you pillock
shut up you pillock
6 years ago

Well deserved! Great composition, great singer.
Can’t wait for Lisbon 2018, maybe it’ll be my first live eurovision as I’ve wanted to visit Portugal anyway 😉

Nar
Nar
6 years ago

More countries need to win ESC and embrace it!

Kai
Kai
6 years ago

Well done Portugal
You totally deserved this! Finally you won!

See you in Lisbon 2018