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
- Minimal Wind feat. Elisabeth Tiffany “What to Make of This” 101 votes, 12 points
- Stefan “Hope” 85 votes, 10 points
- Anna Sahlene “Champion” 69 votes, 8 points
- Elysa “Fire” 66 votes, 7 points
- Ott Lepland “Aovalguses” 62 votes, 6 points
- Black Velvet “Sandra” 56 votes, 5 points
- Andrei Zevakin feat. Grete Paia “Mis nüüd saab” 55 votes, 4 points
- Stig Rästa “Interstellar” 53 votes, 3 points
- Jaagup Tuisk “Kui vaid” 48, votes 2 points
- 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
- Stefan 62%
- Minimal Wind 31%
- ELYSA 6%
Are you happy with the result? Was Stefan your favourite? Let us know down below.
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.
Not genuine
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 »
I know this comes across really bitter but EL used to be so much more interesting and this doesn’t do anything for me…
in what way was elina desperate, yall just say anything at this point lmfao
very good this one..best so far
He will get many points from Finland, Sweden, Ireland, UK, Australia and Germany and it sounds very “unique” and remarkable
did you literally called a copy of lovers of the sun X spaghetti westerns soundtracks unique? i cantt
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
It might’ve aswell just been in Estonian for all I understood
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.
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.
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
Wow how rude you are. The boy can sing very well. Are you jealous!?
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?
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
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!
Totally disagree. This could win Eurovision and will be at least in top 10
to win eurovision you need at least not to mumble
Yes, he should work on the mumbling. There is enough time to fix this.
In what world would this win Eurovision? That’s a borderline qualifier at best.
Would this win? Let me tell you, on May 14, 2022 in Turin and in this world..
That would be absolutely no problem for me. Why not ?
hopefuly it’s going to win the whole thing..
HEs IS HAWT. looks like ducan and tom dice
Great, another Armenian.. Ew!
Great, another brainwashed racist Turk or Azeri… Ew!
Go cry itch!
You wish your people as talented. Haven’t been able to compose a single eurovision song on your own. Talentless species
Viljandi Armenian 😀 He’s Hugely shaped by Estonia tho SO i THINK hes more Estonian than his parents.
He is handsome sadly i don’t care about the song.
It wasn’t my favourite to win, but I am happy with this entry!
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.
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.
it’s my second right now , i always loved these kind of songs
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. 😀
Isn’t ee up from Yorkshire? ?
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…
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 😉
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.
right, it’s more “western movie soundtrack” rather than country. contemporary country music sounds nothing like this
Absolutely
No it´s not country, it´s western style inspired by the themes written by the famous italian composer Morricone
avicii lovers on the sun
zelmerlöw we are the heroes of our time
is it really different?
I like it. Good choice
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.
When you’re not able to understand that’s your problem.
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!
Lithuania 10/12
Ukraine 9/12
Estonia 8/12
Latvia 3/12
Same here. I can not stop watching the performance. It’s so good
Right? I feel 2016 France “J’ai cherche” by Amir vibes, although many are also getting Avicii vibes!
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
I’m glad others have mentioned the references to Ennio Morricone, especially his iconic soundtrack to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
I’ve been bringing that up since this song dropped.
Bring back the memories from the netherlands 2018..
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.
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 »
So much bitterness, I think Estonia would prefer the status quo to being a Soviet republic again.
and as an Estonian I will 100% disagree
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.
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?
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.
Its also a bit cringe but love the song
i guess he can do Dustin the HORSE. 🙂
sad tho he promised million of horses :D. ALSO after El TEAM said no HAHA
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
Is he singing in English or Estonian at the beginning?!
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
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. 🙂
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.
A safe qualifier, I would say?
Yes, this will definitely qualify
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! :/
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.
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
Very Victor Crone-like…
Except not as derivative and with a bit more personality.
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 !
Thought the song ‘interstellar’ song was better and more current.
said no one ever
the song isn’t very impactful but he can maybe squeeze into the final like victor crone did
he will definetly qualify
Victor didn’t squeeze into the final. He got top 4 in the semi.
Victor crone did make it finals well, Stefan will make it qualify very easily.
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.
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!!
“ 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.
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! 🙂
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. 🙂
Our favourites, In romania, Are “Møise”
A very disfigured version of Guetta’s “Lovers on the sun”.
Tumble dried “Lovers on the sun”
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.
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.
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.
I agree, some Estonians pointed out diction as well; Maybe the trick would have been to sing in Estonian, as songs can be translated.
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
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.
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
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
As a fan of spaghetti westerns, I surely love this!