Photo: Kairit Leibold / ERR

Estonia went big ahead of Eurovision 2022, staging a national selection with 40 songs and a series of quarter-finals and semi-finals. And tonight, at the conclusion of the grand final, one man was left standing: Stefan with the song “Hope”.

Estonia: Stefan wins Eesti Laul 2022 with “Hope”

As Eesti Laul fans are accustomed, the ten finalists performed their song live in the first round. But only three could advance to the super final. This was based on a 50-50 split between a jury and public vote. 

ELYSA, Minimal Wind feat. Elisabeth Tiffany, and Stefan advanced to the final round, which was determined 100% by the televote.

Stefan emerged victorious. 

Eesti Laul 2022 Results

First Round of Voting

Jury Votes

  1. Minimal Wind feat. Elisabeth Tiffany “What to Make of This” 101 votes, 12 points
  2. Stefan “Hope” 85 votes, 10 points
  3. Anna Sahlene “Champion” 69 votes, 8 points
  4. Elysa “Fire” 66 votes, 7 points
  5. Ott Lepland “Aovalguses” 62 votes, 6 points
  6. Black Velvet “Sandra” 56 votes, 5 points
  7. Andrei Zevakin feat. Grete Paia “Mis nüüd saab” 55 votes, 4 points
  8. Stig Rästa “Interstellar” 53 votes, 3 points
  9. Jaagup Tuisk “Kui vaid” 48, votes 2 points
  10. Elina Nechayeva “Remedy” 43 votes, 1 points

Jury 12 points

Minimal Wind feat. Elisabeth Tiffany “What to Make of This”

  • Martin Sutton (UK)
  • Scarlet Keys (USA)
  • Emily Griggs (Australia)
  • Lőrinc Bubnó (Hungary)
  • Jonathan Perkins (USA)

Stefan “Hope”

  • Audrius Giržadas (Lithuania)
  • Lotta Furebäck (Sweden)

Anna Sahlene “Champion”

  • Mr Lordi (Finland, Eurovision 2006 winner)
  • Natalie Horler of Cascada (Germany 2013)

Andrei Zevakin feat. Grete Paia “Mis nüüd saab”

  • Per Sunding (Sweden)

Stig Rästa “Interstellar”

  • Marta Cagnola (Italy)

Public Vote

  • Minimal Wind feat. Elisabeth Tiffany “What to Make of This” TBA
  • Stefan “Hope” TBA
  • Elysa “Fire” TBA

7 points — Black Velvet “Sandra” 
6 points — Anna Sahlene “Champion” 
5 points — Andrei Zevakin feat. Grete Paia “Mis nüüd saab”
4 points — Elina Nechayeva “Remedy”
3 points — Ott Lepland “Aovalguses”
2 points — Stig Rästa “Interstellar”
1 point — Jaagup Tuisk “Kui vaid”

Combined Vote

  • Minimal Wind feat. Elisabeth Tiffany “What to Make of This” TBA
  • Stefan “Hope” TBA
  • Elysa “Fire” TBA

4. Anna Sahlene “Champion” with 12 points
5. Black Velvet “Sandra” 56 with 12 points
6. Andrei Zevakin feat. Grete Paia “Mis nüüd saab” with 9 points
7. Ott Lepland “Aovalguses” with 9 points
8. Elina Nechayeva “Remedy” with 8 points
9. Stig Rästa “Interstellar” with 5 points
10. Jaagup Tuisk “Kui vaid” with 3 points

Eesti Laul 2022: Superfinal results

  1. Stefan 62%
  2. Minimal Wind 31%
  3. ELYSA 6%

Are you happy with the result? Was Stefan your favourite? Let us know down below.

153 Comments
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Film4o
Film4o
1 year ago

Elysa, the singer of Fire is in the E.R. she shared in her insta. She was evacuated thru the window and her home burned. How unlucky. First she got covid and now is without a home.

Diwali
Diwali
1 year ago

Not genuine

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago

Not a great final at all in Estonia, STEFAN was one of the few acceptable options, even if I’ll never really be a fan of his song. Ott Lepland was a force of nature once again and was the only one I’d have loved to see winning, but it is what it is… As for some of the other big names in there, I’m glad that Elina didn’t injure herself further with her incredibly desperate and completely over the top staging of a non-song, Stig was brilliant back in Vienna but his entry this year feels like the epitome of… Read more »

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

I know this comes across really bitter but EL used to be so much more interesting and this doesn’t do anything for me…

moth
moth
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

in what way was elina desperate, yall just say anything at this point lmfao

fan
fan
1 year ago

very good this one..best so far

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

He will get many points from Finland, Sweden, Ireland, UK, Australia and Germany and it sounds very “unique” and remarkable

jack
jack
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr X

did you literally called a copy of lovers of the sun X spaghetti westerns soundtracks unique? i cantt

Sava
Sava
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr X

I wouldn’t say this is unique, I would say it’s very dated, doubt anyone in UK will vote for it, it sounds like a BlATENT rip off of mans zermolow heroes. If Poland don’t mess up and pick ochman, he has Eurovision in the bag. The vast majority of songs this year are appalling so far. I did like kea and liuluilind

Anhel
Anhel
1 year ago

It might’ve aswell just been in Estonian for all I understood

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

As a big fan of westerns, I think the “mumbling” only makes it even more compelling.
This is not a country song and I find the tribute to Italian western movies praiseworthy.
Estonia is my #1 for now.

Sometimes
Sometimes
1 year ago
Reply to  Jo.

I love the so called “mumbling” too. It’s done on purpose, anyone who has heard any other Stefan songs know that, since he usually sings very differently.

jack
jack
1 year ago

I am GAGGING with the comments that he will win eurovision, he needs to learn to sing and not to mumble, the cultural appropriation is next level and if anything can be taught by the last years of eurovision is that originality wins, not a maltese Lizzo or dancing divas with silver dresses. Cowboys from Talinn? Maybe not

Last edited 1 year ago by jack
Raili Raadik
Raili Raadik
1 year ago
Reply to  jack

Wow how rude you are. The boy can sing very well. Are you jealous!?

Efraim
Efraim
1 year ago

Also on Eesti Laul: TEN broadcast the final live on Spain yesterday, and the first numbers are in. An estimated average of 29,000 viewers tuned in, netting the channel an average 0.3% share rating.

On first glance, such figures might look unimpressive even for TEN’s middling standards, but in this age of television, people meters hardly ever tell the whole story. #EuroTEN, the channel’s official hashtag for its NF coverage, was Twitter’s top national trend throughout the night.

Maybe the numbers will go up next week with Cristina Ramos in Una Voce per San Marino?

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago

With this cringe presentation of the cowboys shooting each other from distance, this wont go far. Do you think a spaggheti western can win eurovision 2022? Duhh

alex8
alex8
1 year ago

Sorry but I hate this song so much. There’s something so inauthentic, forced and plastic about it and it’s not the fact that it’s so generic. Hopefully it stays in the semi!

Lasa
Lasa
1 year ago
Reply to  alex8

Totally disagree. This could win Eurovision and will be at least in top 10

esc1234
esc1234
1 year ago
Reply to  Lasa

to win eurovision you need at least not to mumble

Lasa
Lasa
1 year ago
Reply to  esc1234

Yes, he should work on the mumbling. There is enough time to fix this.

Bella
Bella
1 year ago
Reply to  Lasa

In what world would this win Eurovision? That’s a borderline qualifier at best.

Susi
Susi
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

Would this win? Let me tell you, on May 14, 2022 in Turin and in this world..

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Lasa

That would be absolutely no problem for me. Why not ?

Susi
Susi
1 year ago
Reply to  alex8

hopefuly it’s going to win the whole thing..

Funkycoffin
Funkycoffin
1 year ago

HEs IS HAWT. looks like ducan and tom dice

Tayyeb
Tayyeb
1 year ago

Great, another Armenian.. Ew!

Pineaple
Pineaple
1 year ago
Reply to  Tayyeb

Great, another brainwashed racist Turk or Azeri… Ew!

Tzs
Tzs
1 year ago
Reply to  Tayyeb

Go cry itch!

Ron
Ron
1 year ago
Reply to  Tayyeb

You wish your people as talented. Haven’t been able to compose a single eurovision song on your own. Talentless species

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  Tayyeb

Viljandi Armenian 😀 He’s Hugely shaped by Estonia tho SO i THINK hes more Estonian than his parents.

Jessie
Jessie
1 year ago

He is handsome sadly i don’t care about the song.

Izzy Lamb
1 year ago

It wasn’t my favourite to win, but I am happy with this entry!

Lele
Lele
1 year ago

I can not believe how good this is. It has Kaleo vibes. I absolutely disagree with everyone who says this sounds like country music, Avicii, Heroes etc.. It doesn’t.

Yasi
Yasi
1 year ago

Top 4 got 6, 8, 10 & 12 points in the televoting. So the least Anna Sahlene could have got is 14, not 12. 8 + 6 = 14.

raylee
raylee
1 year ago

it’s my second right now , i always loved these kind of songs

Ted
Ted
1 year ago

pleasant enough tune. Predict the lower end of the mid table.

Interesting fact of the day “eh hope eh hope eh hope eh hope” (said fast) is a way in which my farming neighbour calls his sheep, and they come running. So this should receive alot of votes from Wales if sheep are allowed to vote. 😀

Sava
Sava
1 year ago
Reply to  Ted

Isn’t ee up from Yorkshire? ?

Darren
1 year ago

It’s not bad but it’s a typical Eurovision song and we all know Estonia is very capable of more.
He looks nice, he’s a nice guy and his song isn’t even that bad, but i just don’t think it’s competitive.
Not expecting Estonia to qualify right now, but I guess we will see.
Baltic’s have kind of been a bit underwhelming this year…

Chupacabra
Chupacabra
1 year ago

A little bit of KillBill, a little bit of Hobbite and a little bit of Once upon a time in the west and you get this song. It´s defenetly the best song from the Baltic this year. It´s nothing wow but its good enough for me to get the final. It´s not a winner or TOP10 song but who cares about the ranking if this is your favorite song 😉

Kobe
Kobe
1 year ago

People saying this is country never listended to real country music before 😀
This is pop with some country influences.
Nevertheless i really like “Hope” and is already one of my favs of this Eurovision year.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
1 year ago
Reply to  Kobe

right, it’s more “western movie soundtrack” rather than country. contemporary country music sounds nothing like this

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

Absolutely

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Kobe

No it´s not country, it´s western style inspired by the themes written by the famous italian composer Morricone

Mr Gay
Mr Gay
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr X

avicii lovers on the sun
zelmerlöw we are the heroes of our time

is it really different?

Kinga
Kinga
1 year ago

I like it. Good choice

Richard
Richard
1 year ago

It’s like some retro tribute to the western, so it’s kind of cute and easy to get along with, apart from his mumbling vocal. I’d much prefer him to sing in Estonian for at least some of the song, as you can only understand a fraction of what he’s saying.

Johnny
Johnny
1 year ago
Reply to  Richard

When you’re not able to understand that’s your problem.

Azan
Azan
1 year ago

Out of all 4 of today’s finalists (Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia), I like Estonia’s Hope by Stefan the best! It is such as good song!

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Azan

Lithuania 10/12
Ukraine 9/12
Estonia 8/12
Latvia 3/12

Lele
Lele
1 year ago
Reply to  Azan

Same here. I can not stop watching the performance. It’s so good

Azan
Azan
1 year ago
Reply to  Lele

Right? I feel 2016 France “J’ai cherche” by Amir vibes, although many are also getting Avicii vibes!

Edu
Edu
1 year ago

Thank you Estonia that this masterpiece won! He was one of my favs in Eesti Laul, now is my new fav to win Eurovision!
Wish you all the best from Buenos Aires Argentina

Will
Will
1 year ago

I’m glad others have mentioned the references to Ennio Morricone, especially his iconic soundtrack to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Will

I’ve been bringing that up since this song dropped.

Dahe
1 year ago

Bring back the memories from the netherlands 2018..

Esc addict
Esc addict
1 year ago

Not my favourite but congrats and good luck to him. I must say that I’m always blown away by how great and big are the Eesti Laul finals each years, really really great show.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

Well, that was fun! Congrats to Stefan. I have been a fan of his for many years, and he has been knocking on the door of Eurovision for quite some time now, so he deserves it this year. I do like the song, so well done Estonia. I have not done very well to hide the fact that Minimal Wind (and Elizabeth) were my huge personal favourites in Eesti Laul over the past few months. They did so well tonight – Runners-up! They should be very pleased with themselves; that was not an easy final for them. I am surprised… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Purple Mask
Will
Will
1 year ago

So much bitterness, I think Estonia would prefer the status quo to being a Soviet republic again.

robin
robin
1 year ago
Reply to  Will

and as an Estonian I will 100% disagree

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago

I like his voice. It’s a nice song. But I need to listen to it more times, before figuring out how much I like this.

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago

I wonder if he brings horses and cactuses to Italia HAHA. in any form as a prop OR SMTH. whats the rules with LIVE animals in the stage OF Torino OR ESC?

KuhKatz
KuhKatz
1 year ago
Reply to  Khaled

No animals allowed, But I guess they will spread out the western theme on the big stage. Surely they need to keep the cowboys, its an eyecatcher.

Tzs
Tzs
1 year ago
Reply to  KuhKatz

Its also a bit cringe but love the song

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  KuhKatz

i guess he can do Dustin the HORSE. 🙂

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  KuhKatz

sad tho he promised million of horses :D. ALSO after El TEAM said no HAHA

AMAAN STORM
AMAAN STORM
1 year ago

For Gawds sake, please don’t let him stumble on to the Eurovision stage dressed as a cowboy! That would be horrendous.

Aside from that, great song. This will do pretty well if staged correctly

Sam
Sam
1 year ago

Is he singing in English or Estonian at the beginning?!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Sam

He’s singing the song completely in English, but yes you raise a point. He is a little mumbly, and I hope he can work on his diction by May

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

They were aware of the “issue” in the Semi, and he and the crew did improve the enunciation for the final. It sounded a lot better to me. But I agree, there is some work that can be done there. 🙂

Last edited 1 year ago by Purple Mask
Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

If someone asked me to give example of song that fits worldwide stage and TV show watched by nearly 200 millions of people I would propose this song.

Pearli
Pearli
1 year ago

A safe qualifier, I would say?

Teddie
Teddie
1 year ago
Reply to  Pearli

Yes, this will definitely qualify

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago

I agree that it has those American wannabe vibes, but how is it an American colony? Estonia’s one of the least Americanized countries I’ve ever been to! :/

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  ete sech

American wannabe you say? Hope is actually a musical tribute to the famous spaghetti western themes by Italian composers like Ennio Morricone. Check out the good the bad and the ugly theme. You can find clearly hear the influences there.

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

I didn’t say it was an American wannabe, I said it has that vibe, which is different. Looks like I didn’t make myself clear xd

Last edited 1 year ago by ete sech
Grft
Grft
1 year ago

Very Victor Crone-like…

Franky
Franky
1 year ago
Reply to  Grft

Except not as derivative and with a bit more personality.

Roro31
Roro31
1 year ago

Yesss ! Very happy for Stefan !! Estonia in the big final it’s certain !!

Very good song, I love country/western spaghetti music, very good voice, beautiful man, I’m sure the staging will be better worked!!

Good job Estonia !

Ady White
Ady White
1 year ago

Thought the song ‘interstellar’ song was better and more current.

sam
sam
1 year ago
Reply to  Ady White

said no one ever

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
1 year ago

the song isn’t very impactful but he can maybe squeeze into the final like victor crone did

Roodi
Roodi
1 year ago

he will definetly qualify

Pearli
Pearli
1 year ago

Victor didn’t squeeze into the final. He got top 4 in the semi.

Susi
Susi
1 year ago

Victor crone did make it finals well, Stefan will make it qualify very easily.

Mil
Mil
1 year ago

I think Stefan is a great artist. However, I don’t like the song. Country/western music style is perhaps my least favorite, so am quite biased here and can’t appreciate the song. In any case, good luck Estonia.

Last edited 1 year ago by Mil
Jake
Jake
1 year ago

I didn’t really understand the top 3 chosen by Estonia but ultimately it was Stefan’s to lose. It seems like they were ready to send someone new instead of all the returning Estonian representatives (which there were A LOT!). I think the staging is a little too literal for my taste, but I think this will qualify easily. Also—for everyone who calls this country—it really is not. In fact, this would never be played in country stations. This is pop inspired by spaghetti western orchestral music—which started in Italy. PS—loved Ott!!! Goosebumps!!

Last edited 1 year ago by Jake
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Jake

“ This is pop inspired by spaghetti western orchestral music—which started in Italy. ”. Yes! Finally, somebody other than me understands what this song is. It’s very appropriate to send to Italy.

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago

Stefan won as expected, the song and the theme are quite nice and now I think it might have a chance to make it to the final in Turin, but they have to enhance its staging.
Moreover, I didn’t expect neither Elysa nor Minimal Wind to be the other super finalists of the night, it was a nice surprise! 🙂

Last edited 1 year ago by ete sech
Colin
Colin
1 year ago

Congrats, Stefan! I love this song since I’ve heard it in the quarterfinals, and the performance is so beautiful! One of my absolute favorites of this whole season. Thanks, Estonia. 🙂

Sasha
Sasha
1 year ago

Our favourites, In romania, Are “Møise”

Iv***
Iv***
1 year ago

A very disfigured version of Guetta’s “Lovers on the sun”.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  Iv***

Tumble dried “Lovers on the sun”

Kosey
Kosey
1 year ago

He is really good looking. The song is not offensive and the western theme is quite nice. That’s about all I have to say about this.

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  Kosey

its partly about his relatives caught in war, the Nagorno Karabakh one thou, gonna be interesting haha BUt as an Estonian folk he has my support even though i Liked What make of this. but I guess next time I get someone like i really like.

Kosey
Kosey
1 year ago
Reply to  Khaled

I think one thing he can improve which others have commented on is to improve his diction. It is very hard to tell what he is singing about other than at a very generic level. If it’s a powerful backstory he is singing about, he has really got to try harder to get that across so that it isn’t lost on the casual viewer.

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  Kosey

I agree, some Estonians pointed out diction as well; Maybe the trick would have been to sing in Estonian, as songs can be translated.

robin
robin
1 year ago
Reply to  Khaled

He is an armenian and his estonian is good for a foreigner but not good enough to sing a full song clearly. You could understand what he says but im pretty sure it would be worse than in english

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  robin

Ma tean. I know, but hed be more home with singing Estonian, mabe more English lessons in between now and Turin then now. idk, about Armenian skills of his, hes raisedin here. In case of Armenian song wed have death match wit AZ haha for sure. Now it can be multiinterperted , even tho song is also about people needing hope while caught in a war.

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  Kosey

i just remembered that for a video shoot he was said to be tipsy and local DJs in Raadio 2 joked that he needs to be drunk for a lives. maybe thats why. Whiskey time. haha Maybe he took a suggestion seriously hehe

Khaled
Khaled
1 year ago
Reply to  Khaled

Looks like he takes drinking for lives seriously haha. he said I didnt get any sleep on Friday night, took several shots in an intwerview before 😀
also saw article that he took one during the Final haha

Last edited 1 year ago by Khaled
Kal
Kal
1 year ago

As a fan of spaghetti westerns, I surely love this!