On May 27 Lithuanian broadcaster LRT sought clarification from the EBU about Lithuania’s overall score. That was after Italy’s RAI published its internal televote figures. According to Italy’s official account, Lithuania’s singer Jurij Veklenko was entitled to one televote point from Italy. According to the EBU’s count, he was entitled to zero. The difference is small but significant: It would have tied him with Leonora from Denmark. But, owing to tiebreak rules that favour the televote, he would have advanced over her.

Well Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, has now replied directly to LRT about the matter. He says that the televote results published by RAI are not accurate.

As LRT explains: “The letter emphasises that the results of the final table, which were published immediately after the finals, were received and approved by the official tender partner, Digame.”

“It emphasised that only the votes given before the end of the voting period are counted. It also stressed that the votes that came after the end of the vote are not counted.”

This suggests that RAI may have counted votes received after the voting period.

Italian semi-final two televote results as published by Left: EBU, and Right: RAI

EBU Published Results

Albania – 12 points

Romania – 1o points

Norway – 8 points

Russia – 7 points

Switzerland – 6 points

Moldova – 5 points

Azerbaijan – 4 points

The Netherlands – 3 points

Malta – 2 points

North Macedonia – 1 point

RAI Published Results

Albania – 16.08% (12 pts)

Romania – 10.39% (10 pts)

Russia – 9.92% (8 pts)

Moldova – 8.66% (7 pts)

Norway – 8.58% (6 pts)

Switzerland – 5.93% (5 pts)

North Macedonia – 5.47% (4 pts)

Azerbaijan – 5.40% (3 pts)

Malta – 4.42% (2 pts)

Lithuania – 4.13% (1 pt)

 

 

 

 

The single point was hugely significant.

Although this seems a relatively small change, the current overall standings of semi-final two show that the Baltic country finished in eleventh place, just one point behind tenth-place qualifier Denmark. The change in results would see both Lithuania and Denmark tie for tenth position on 94 points.

The current rules for tiebreakers associated with ties for last position in the semi-final state: “Should there be a tie for the last position in a Semi-Final (because two songs have received the same number of points)…the winner shall be the song which has obtained the highest rank from all the National Audiences [televote]”.

Therefore, since Lithuania received 77 points from the televote in semi-final two, whereas Denmark received 41 points, Lithuania would win any possible tiebreak situation.

What if other semi-final two ‘mistakes’ were corrected?

This is not the first potential mistake in the results of the second semi-final. It was earlier reported that Swedish juror, and former Alcazar singer, Lina Hedlund had ranked the songs in the reverse order – putting her favourite song, Duncan Laurence’s “Arcade” for the Netherlands, last and her least favourite tune, PAENDA’s “Limits”, first.

This affected the points given by the Swedish jury. If Lina’s song order had been correct and new averages for the Swedish jury calculated, the revised guesstimate of the Swedish results (without applying the EBU’s weighting system) would see Denmark gain two points and Lithuania lose one.

It is important to note that neither Lina, Swedish broadcaster SVT or the EBU have commented on this matter.

Therefore this ‘mistake’ is still not official. Although highly unlikely, maybe the “Victorious” hit-maker really did have a complete change of heart in the two days between the second semi-final and the grand final, which resulted in her placing The Netherlands last in the former and first in the latter.

Further reports suggest that a Russian juror may have also ranked the semi-final two songs in the reverse order, putting Denmark first instead of last.

As always, until the EBU officially comments on the matter and confirms any errors, any ‘mistakes’ are purely speculative.

Read more Lithuanian Eurovision news here

Read more Italian Eurovision news here

53 Comments
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klaudiana
klaudiana
4 years ago

Do the jury members really use paper and pen when it comes to voting? I don’t think it would be very difficult to design a voting software which says “Your favourite song” on the top and “Your least favourite song” on the bottom… Another solution, some jury members are simply idiots.

Lina
Lina
4 years ago

So KARMA IS A BITCH YEAH??????? iTALY counted votes for Lithuania mistaken, and iTALY ha’ve been left in the second place this year:))))))) so so so KARMA IS A BITCH AND SUCKIT ITALY!!!!!!!! SUCK IT!!!! Actually EBU from now on and ESC doesn’t exist for me from now on, even i was a big fan, but i see, that in EBU there are no honest people. So suck it. Karma i a bitch :))))))))

Joshua
Joshua
4 years ago
Reply to  Lina

I think your pusher isn’t selling you good-quality stuff…

Beatrice
Beatrice
4 years ago

And of course, 10 and 12 points went to Romania/Albania. So sick of Eastern European diaspora voting for their home country, regardless of the quality of the song.

Bella
Bella
4 years ago
Reply to  Beatrice

This has nothing to do with Beatrice’s comment… The fact is that diaspora keeps giving points to undeserving songs for absolutely no reason (Romania this year got only 24 televoting points: 12 from Italy and 12 from Moldova, NOTHING from the other countries… Do you think it’s normal?). So glad the juries are here to balance things out.

Bella
Bella
4 years ago
Reply to  Bella

Who said it was ok for Scandinavians to do it? It’s not acceptable for any country to do it (why do you think the audience boos these countries every year?). You’re supposed to vote for a song because it’s good, not because you happen to be from that country or because you’re best buds. This is just a corrupted behavior, and I’m glad juries are here to balance things out. I think you’re being hypocritical here: (1) You may not call it “diaspora”, but doesn’t change the fact that Moldova doesn’t give points to Romania because of their song but… Read more »

Mr Right
Mr Right
4 years ago

If Lithuania would be not in the borderline with 1 point difference, then im sure EBU would admit mistake and even jury mistakes. And if that would be Russia or Sweden, then we would have much more noise.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago
Reply to  Mr Right

The Belarus mistake was solely the EBU’s responsibility as it was their aggregated calculation, not the actual Belarusian jury votes. In fairness to the EBU regarding the Italian televote, liability should ultimately lie with RAI

LjupcoMKD
LjupcoMKD
4 years ago

Jon Ola Sand and the team in the EBU under his management only keep on sinking deeper in the mud. They literally claim that the personnel of RAI is lying. If I were Italy, I would most definitely withdraw from ESC 2020.

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  LjupcoMKD

Nobody wants a 1991 redo much less RAI itself … so this whole voting drama is sort of pointless … specially with 2 songs not worth my time my shade and money … 2020 please?

Pavel
Pavel
4 years ago
Reply to  Charles

Maybe Mahmood won, but EBU decided to do a 1997 all over again. Even in this SF Netherlands got 3 points in the televote they shouldn’t have, so who knows? #conspiracy

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago

This is like a spit in the face from EBU’s side, really. All you have to do is to admit you’ve made a mistake (at least I hope so) and say “sorry, it won’t happen again”. If it was my country, I’d be all for leaving contest until official apology is published.

Charles
Charles
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Let them clean their own dirty laundry backstage … and focus on the music … unless of course it’s the dirty laundry that makes Eurovision worth while. Sad!

ParryHotter
ParryHotter
4 years ago

I bet if it was bigger country and influential EBU would have investigated it more closely and came up with solution or detailed explanation. since it is my country Lithuania nobody gives a crap. I really sometimes don’t understand why we even compete in this contest since we will never win it or be in top5 even. I bet even if Loreen represented us with “Euphoria” we still wouldnt win.

Bella
Bella
4 years ago
Reply to  ParryHotter

They literally just investigated it and published a response, what more do you want? Stop with all these conspiracy theories… Lithuania’s song this year did not deserve to qualify, so stop trying to find someone to blame. It’s not the fault of the EBU, not the fault of RAI’s televote: this song was NOT good. Also I disagree with your statement: Lithuania has one of the best qualification rates (9/15, which is better than most countries, including recent winners Netherlands, Portugal and Austria). A lot of small countries have won recently (and without the support of Lithuania’s diaspora vote please).… Read more »

Cesar's salad
Cesar's salad
4 years ago

Obvious lie. The Nordic EBU mafia to the rescue of Leonora. Why would Italy count votes after the lines were closed? What does RAI have to gain from that? It was Italy’s jury who even gave 12 points to Denmark.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Cesar's salad

Cause she dererved it actually – ,Is is too late for love ? Now because love is 4ever

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

No she hasn’t. It’s not Junior Eurovision. Do you want “love is 4ever”? Wait a few months.

xohxoh
xohxoh
4 years ago

Also there’s no way Italians out of nowhere just started voting for Lithuania when voting ended. Come on now.

Juste
Juste
4 years ago
Reply to  xohxoh

Dude,it doesnt work like that

xohxoh
xohxoh
4 years ago

Obvious lie. They don’t wanna open the can of worms, can you imagine the outrage?! The votes of the final are correct but semi-final aren’t? Yeah sure! Considering that RAI also states the % of bad votes on the side. Someone is trying to keep their job.

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
4 years ago

It is pretty obvious what is happening here: RAI is showing EBU the middle finger. It’s no secret: RAI wants to win the contest. They almost never come out of the TOP10, they won the televote with Il Volo, they came second with Gualazzi & Mahmood, Gabbani was THE Top favourite in 2017. RAI wants to win, but it’s also pretty clear EBU isn’t very excited with the idea of an Italian victory and as soon as they find another possible winner they support that broadcaster. This year, it was The Netherlands. Then, there were some irregularities with the votes… Read more »

dusi239
dusi239
4 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

You are a fan of conspiracy theories aren’t you? And if the EBU doesn’t want Italy to win it is surely because of the mess that the organisation and the finances would be

KESC
KESC
4 years ago
Reply to  dusi239

Nothing can be worse than Israel 2019? I’m sure Italy would deliver a better show than Israel.

Lisianthus
Lisianthus
4 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

If the EBU doesn’t want Italy to win, why does Italy always get a good place in the running order? Since producers started deciding the running order in 2013, Italy has never had to perform earlier than 6th, getting to perform 20th or later 4 out of 7 times. Francesco Gabbani ruined his own chance of winning by putting a man in a gorilla suit on the stage.
The Dutch delegation didn’t get the camera angles they asked for at all in the first rehearsal. That’s a bit weird if they really wanted the Netherlands to win, isn’t it?

Pavel
Pavel
4 years ago
Reply to  Lisianthus

because camera angles are nothing, the only thing that is worth is who counts the votes and points

acp
acp
4 years ago

Can the EBU comment on Czech Republic’s jury error that costed Poland a place in the final too? I
hope that at least the say something, or the Polish tv makes a complaint because it is really an injustice, not only to Poland, but to Tulia most importantly. At least they look very proud and happy about the whole Eurovision experience, and they are not throwing any shady to no one! Happy for them!

Bella
Bella
4 years ago
Reply to  acp

That thing is nothing but a legend so far. It was never confirmed, neither by the EBU, the Czech broadcaster or even the Czech jurors. It’s only based on the fact that one Czech juror didn’t vote like the other 4, which tbh she doesn’t have to do.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Bella

Yes, Poland was good but its history, same with Sweden voted for Austria

acp
acp
4 years ago
Reply to  Bella

Of course she can vote however she wants but the thing is she did it in completely reverse order in the final comparing it to the semi-final. Besides, I read somewhere that the Czech jury confirmed her error.

EmilyG
EmilyG
4 years ago

What EBU says doesn’t make any sense since at the results published by RAI invalid votes are also announced.
3,89% invalid points in the semifinal
19,05% invalid points the final

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  EmilyG

Invalid votes but charged the money cost of course. Why after the 20th vote a message is not saying that you exceed the limit of votes given ? – instead you receive you can still continue to vote- Why the lines are not closed after just after the vote is over ?
I’m pretty sure I voted around 25+ times, I wasn’t counting my calls and was waiting for that kind of message when the limit reached and after a while I realized it’s not possible I’m easy over 20. I want my money back !

Kredential
Kredential
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

What part of ‘you can only vote 20 times’ is so hard to understand?

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago
Reply to  Kredential

Last year I remember that when you pass the 20th vote your 21st called was a message like “sorry your line can’t vote anymore”. This year apparently they -on purpose I think- didn’t warn you. On the excitement you are not counting your calls one by one. I was expecting the warning message to know I reached the limit, but never happened and instead saying you can continue to vote…. I will wait my bill to know exactly how many times I call

Juste
Juste
4 years ago

Jesus take a wheel,for how long they were receiving votes after official end if netherlands just casually left the top 10?? Thats one big pile of crap and lies

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

How come the same mistake never happened with RAI in the final?

stommie
stommie
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

At the bottom right in the linked pdf it says that 19,05% of the votes in the final were invalid.

Kris
Kris
4 years ago
Reply to  stommie

It also mentions invalid votes in the semi

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago

I don’t get it, aren’t the phone lines closed once the countdown is over ? How can some people still continue to vote after ??? and worse the computer still continue to count them ??
This makes no sense. For transparency EBU should publish the detailed televote for each country with the number of calls received for each country and not just the ranking. Why is this data never published ?

stommie
stommie
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

I guess it would open a big can of worms if they released those figures. For example, I am pretty sure that there are far less people voting then some people assume. And if it is known that certain countries don’t have many tele voters, it is easy to abuse the tele vote in such countries for malpractice.

JPT
JPT
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Some years ago, in the Netherlands, T-Mobile used to send an sms back confirming the vote, in a year, many messages arrived way beyond the end of the time window for voting. I wonder if those votes were valid.

Mr Right
Mr Right
4 years ago

What about obvious jury mistakes?

VlaD
VlaD
4 years ago

EBU is obviously is covering up

Rasmus
Rasmus
4 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Its RAI that cant read. They showed it AFTER the televoting was closed. If people are stupid to vote after the window is closed . Its their problem. Not EBUs

pooky1001
pooky1001
4 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

But how can people still vote after they say stop voting, surely the lines are closed down.

Bella
Bella
4 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Right, cause Lithuania was such a strong contender that the EBU had to scheme against them… and now they’re covering it up. It’s the perfect crime, it all makes sense.

xohxoh
xohxoh
4 years ago
Reply to  Bella

They are covering their own asses.

Kuhkatz
Kuhkatz
4 years ago

Correcting semifinal results wouldn‘t be the right way here.
BUT, there were some voting mistakes, that seems to be clear, and the EBU will, as always, shrug and smile it away.

Adam
Adam
4 years ago

I’ve got to say I still have my doubts: even if some of the votes counted were those received after the voting period, isn’t weird to see how only specific songs were affected, e.g. North Macedonia jumping 3 places in the televote from 10th to 7th, or the Netherlands falling from 8th to outside the top 10, whilst others remain fairly constant.

Ethan1994
Ethan1994
4 years ago

“As always, until the EBU officially comments on the matter and confirms any errors, any ‘mistakes’ are purely speculative.”
You should put this information in bold letters, because a lot of people seem to be forgetting it.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago

Well it’s not like changing the rankings of a few countries in the final after the fact (while ensuring the top 4 stayed in their placing)- you can’t judge how an eliminated song would do in the final so it makes sense to keep the results as they were- especially given the ambiguous nature of the Italian televote. Just give Lithuania a good spot in the semis next year.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

never thought I’d say this but…I’m with EBU on this one…