Benidorm Fest 2023
EBU / Corinne Cumming

You don’t have to win Eurovision to go on to be a fan favourite. Heck — you don’t have to finish second either! As several of these third-place finishers prove, a bronze medal can sometimes lead to enduring streams and icon status within the fandom…and beyond!

So let us know: Who is your favourite third-place Eurovision act since 2010?

Eurovision third-place entries: 2010 to 2023

For much of the 2010s, the third-place spot was simply a signal of what was to come. Twice, Sweden took home bronze only to come back a year later and grab gold. Ukraine also secured victory just three years after its third place finish. And while they didn’t win during this period, Russia and Italy also firmly established their dominance, almost always finishing top ten.

On the other hand, Austria’s third-place marked the last of five consecutive qualifications – a streak which started with Conchita’s 2014 victory. For others, it was a high point. Serbia got its second best result as an independent nation, Romania matched its 2005 finish and Moldova recorded its biggest success.

But who was your favourite third-place act? Watch and listen to all the performances below and then vote for your favourite in our poll.

2010: Paula Seling and Ovi — “Playing with Fire” (Romania)

2011: Eric Saade — “Popular” (Sweden)

2012: Željko Joksimović — “Nije ljubav stvar” (Serbia)

2013: Zlata Ognevich — “Gravity” (Ukraine)

2014: Sanna Nielsen — “Undo” (Sweden)

2015:  Il Volo — “Grande Amore” (Italy)

2016: Sergey Lazarev — “You Are The Only One” (Russia)

2017: Sunstroke Project — “Hey, Mamma!” (Moldova)

2018: Cesár Sampson — “Nobody but You” (Austria)

2019: Sergey Lazarev — “Scream” (Russia)

2021: Gjon’s Tears — “Tout l’univers” (Switzerland)

2022: Chanel — “SloMo” (Spain)

2023: Noa Kirel — “Unicorn” (Israel)

Poll: Who is your favourite third-place Eurovision act since 2010?

Check out more of our polls here.

77 Comments
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Antananarivo
Antananarivo
1 year ago

1.Undo
2.Njie ljubav stvar
3.Hey Mama
4.Scream
5.Tout l´univers
6.You are the only one
7.SloMo
8.Nobody but you
9.Popular
10.Unicorn
11.Gravity
12.Grande amore
13.Playing with fire

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago

“Hey Mama” was very catchy ans unusual, would be my third place.

Really horrible for me 2010 and 2015. The “Sex sells”-performances (2022 and 2023) are not my cup of tea.

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago

I only like Sanna Nielsen and Zeljko from this list, sorry.

Sun
Sun
1 year ago

Chanel

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

Here are my mini memories: 2010 – I love this song, because of the keyboards (obviously). Plus it is a theatrical and musical potrayal of a hot relationship, which I had a few of myself. This was my personal winner that year. 2011 – Slick, efficient and very “popular,” haha. It wasn’t perfect musically, but that was my only complaint about it. I love it otherwise. Eric will always be “Manboy” to me. 🙂 2012 – A great vocalist, plus a surprisingly powerful melody. I’m glad this song did well, and it was certainly a sign that the contest was… Read more »

Amigo
Amigo
1 year ago

OMG. So many amazing options. I would not be angry if some of these songs ended up winning. I like our winners for respective years, but: Popular Gravity Undo Grande Amore Tout l’univers SloMo All these songs could have won and would have been amazing winner songs. I know it’s hard to explain why Popular is in this list, but I just hate Running scared and Italy that year ended up 2nd just because they came back after so many years. Beautiful list and I love each and every song on it. Even more than 2nd places and some winners… Read more »

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago

I Wote For Sergey And Sunstroke . Sergey Hes Just The Best And Really Talented Preformer . Serbian Song Is Good Too

BiCHOTA
BiCHOTA
1 year ago
Reply to  Bejba

If you’re actually Polish, lemme tell you that you’re a disgrace for Poland

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago
Reply to  BiCHOTA

I Said Many Times Im Not From Poland .

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago
Reply to  BiCHOTA

Im Disgrace For Saying Sergey Is Talented ? Ok …

Oy oy
Oy oy
1 year ago

Why do wiwibloggs include Russia in this poll? Does this mean they will also be included in all other polls from now on, too?

Tino
Tino
1 year ago
Reply to  Oy oy

Why wouldn’t they? I mean isn’t it enough that Russia is banned from the contest now? We can’t just erase the past… most of those artists that represented Russia in the past were great, no reason to forget them and their art.

Oy oy
Oy oy
1 year ago
Reply to  Tino

I see your point. In the end of the day I guess that if one accepts that one in a poll can vote for the Summer Olympics in 1936 as the best Olympics of all times then it’s ok to include Russia in these ESC-polls.

Alexander
Alexander
1 year ago
Reply to  Oy oy

And why does Wiwibloggs include Israel in this list?

Tino
Tino
1 year ago

Well I know there are a lot of more qualitative songs but Chanel’s performance is stuck in my head. I watch Eurovision since 2006 and SloMo represents the best 3 minutes I had.

Robbie
Robbie
1 year ago

Gjon’s Tears by a country mile – people use the word masterpiece a lot, too much tbh, but this really is a masterpiece : a superbly written composition, beautifully performed and I have such a soft spot for him anyway – seems like such a lovely guy. Would have loved to have seen him win Eurovision.
(Wiwi, why are Russia included in this poll when they were excluded from the runner-up poll)?

Dominic
Dominic
1 year ago
Reply to  Robbie

Agreed about Gjon. ”Russia” isn’t being excluded, Polina is. Based on her own individual statements before, during, and after the invasion.

Robbie
Robbie
1 year ago
Reply to  Dominic

And so she should!!! Tbf, I liked both Sergeys entries, and nobody can deny he’s not a great performer and live singer.

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago
Reply to  Robbie

No . Polina Standed Up For Her Beliefes And Her Country . Why Is That Wrong When Israel Preticipents Have Done The Same And Even Serve In Israel Military Who Murder Innocent Children And Woman

Alexander
Alexander
1 year ago
Reply to  Bejba

I totally agree with you about the murders that Israel is committing and the hypocrisy of human beings.

esc_fl
esc_fl
1 year ago

My favorites are it doesn’t matter because the previous post has comments disabled and my heart breaks for the millions of Pa?es?inians who are internally displaced and being attacked by a nation that has been oppressing them for decades. You can support Pa?es?ine without supporting H?m?s, whose actions must be condemned, but the solution is not to invade Ga?a. You can support the Israeli victims without supporting its government’s actions. Free Pa?es?ine, free Israel. Why is peace so hard?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  esc_fl

Peace is hard because humans are idiots. Religion does more harm than good.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  esc_fl

Humans suck, that’s why.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

R e l i g i o n also sucks.

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago
Reply to  esc_fl

Israel Is Free . Free To Do What Ever They Want The Last 80 Years . Now EBU Is Free To Ban Them Like They Did To Rusia , But Wont .

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

2021
2018
2012
2015

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I adore Sanna, but the song itself not so much.

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
1 year ago

Gjon’s Tears, miles ahead of the rest imho

Alexander
Alexander
1 year ago

Chenel obviously ?

UNA SPARKLE
UNA SPARKLE
1 year ago

My fave from here and one of my all-time favourites is of course Ukraine not only for the beautiful song and interesting staging but for Zlata’s *impecable* performance!!

Misha
1 year ago

I voted for Chanel (she should’ve won, we all know that), but Eric Saade and Gjon’s Tears were also great contenders in their respective years

Noam600
Noam600
1 year ago

Noa Kirel! That flip and the fireworks after it was like OMG! It was like a superbowl performance.. 12 points from the rest of the world vote.. this is amazing!

Tino
Tino
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

I found Noa’s performance a bit underwhelming compared to what we could have expect. This performance was far from a superbowl level… and at the same time thx it was because the last think I want is the contest to look like an crappy fake american show.

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

Shocker You Wote For Your Own Country . It Was A Horible Preformance Stop With The Propganda . Shouldnt You Be Preparing To End More Inocent Lifes ?

Bettie
Bettie
1 year ago
Reply to  Noam600

Superbowl? It was a screamy and childish song with a messy dancebreak, hyped up by wiwibloggs, unfortunately.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

People who are still bitter about Finland’s defeat this year, please remember that Eric Saade would have won in 2011. ACTUAL cheating stopped him from doing so. Sweden would have gotten a two-in-a-row, a win on home ground, and tied with Ireland’s record eight years earlier.

UNA SPARKLE
UNA SPARKLE
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Respectfully, can you elaborate on your 2011 hypothesis? How would have Sweden won?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  UNA SPARKLE

Hard to believe now, but back then, Sweden were the underdog. Eric Saade got all the goodwill that goes with being the “comeback” kid, Sweden not having even qualified the year before. 21st in 2009. 18th in 2008, 17th in 2007. Popular had impressive staging (for the time), Eric’s prettyboy looks pleased the more hormone-driven voter… the momentum was his. On the night, Sweden had the “winner vibes” all sewn up. A long awaited victory, the first in 12 years, the first since the dawn of the modern, beloved, Melodifestivalen. What could go wrong? As we all know, Azerbaijan is… Read more »

UNA SPARKLE
UNA SPARKLE
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Tack så mycket, that was an interesting read. My take is that Sweden had a much more attractive package and should have won as compared to dull duo and their boring Sweden ballad.

With no jury-televote split numbers it’s hard to tell but it’s very, very likely that the winner had the juries in their pocket for *reasons*.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  UNA SPARKLE

Sweden finished second in the televote, just two points to Azerbaijan. 223 to 221. TWO POINTS!

Considering up to two thirds of Azerbaijan’s points, at least, were paid for. Easily manipulated markets like Malta gave Azerbaijan their 12 points for FOUR YEARS IN A ROW. Come on.

Deep breath, Jonas. In… and out. It’s been 13 years, let it go.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

P.S. 2nd placed Italy got 99 points in the televote.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Nobody had “winning vibes” in 2011 and that’s why televote was all over the place and pretty messy.
223 or 221 points with 43 countries is a very poor result for a winner or 2nd place.
And Sweden was always to have a hard time that with UK, Ireland and Russia having similar packages and all being Top 10 with televote as well. It was far from clear winner or unique package.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

I disagree. It only looks that way now because of the scoreboard. A scoreboard where fair distribution of points was impossible because of widescale cheating in both jury and televote.

UNA SPARKLE
UNA SPARKLE
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Was the 2012 victory already decided?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  UNA SPARKLE

No.

Antananarivo
Antananarivo
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Eric Saade is a cute guy, but I don´t like his voice….

Gwendal
Gwendal
1 year ago

Gjon. And by a landslide in my opinion. 2021 was THAT strong!

Anhel
Anhel
1 year ago

Tout l’universe and Nije ljubav stvar are my favorites

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago

We all know Spain would have won if not for the war. The best pack in 2022.

Bettie
Bettie
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

No, sam Ryder would have won

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago

Il Volo should have taken the crown in 2015

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

Sergey’s both bops and Zeljko’s masterpiece for me

my least favourite (only one i dislike) Israel’s generic AI song Unicorn

Jerez
Jerez
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

By the way i’m asking: that’s so weird how the hypocrisy of Wiwibloggs excluded Russia 2015 from the previous poll, but kept Russia 2016 & 2019 in this one althought they both support the war.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jerez

True, for some reason Polina has gotten most of the hate. She did go to hate rallys for Putin, though.

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago

Gjon’s Tears and Il Volo are the goats of third place.

Stan
Stan
1 year ago

I like ”Popular” and ”Undo”.

Antananarivo
Antananarivo
1 year ago

None of them for me, I´m sorry…..

Teddi
Teddi
1 year ago

Undo!

Antananarivo
Antananarivo
1 year ago
Reply to  Teddi

Is the best option in this list, I must confess.

We’re Up in Space, Man!
We’re Up in Space, Man!
1 year ago

2011 and 2012 are the only years where I think Sweden should have DEFINITELY won, regardless of the others songs. Those two songs were THAT strong. Plus, Popular is way better than what we got with Running Scared. That’s why I voted for Eric Saade!

Devito
Devito
1 year ago

2021–2023 third placers were all great, but IL VOLO was hands down the best. It’s a crime they finished third and not first.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Devito

Not really. Il Volo are very talented, but the song itself was just popera. Elevated by charisma. They got their votes by being young and beautiful, same as Heroes got its votes because of the staging. Gianluca’s wink to the camera sealed the televote win for them.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I always felt Il Volo won the televote the moment Piero started to sing.
to follow the big chorus with the three voices together. Goosebumps.

BiCHOTA
BiCHOTA
1 year ago

Switzerland 2021 and Spain 2022 are my favorites from this batch

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
1 year ago

As a Spaniard, I don’t get what people see in a ghetto idiot like Chanel.

UNA SPARKLE
UNA SPARKLE
1 year ago

¡NOOOOOO!!

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
1 year ago
Reply to  UNA SPARKLE

What?

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

The fact that Spain would have won had Ukraine not been invaded makes Chanel the best 3rd place in this list.

We’re Up in Space, Man!
We’re Up in Space, Man!
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

What about the UK?

Jeroen
Jeroen
1 year ago

Spain got more televote points than the UK, so if Ukraine wouldn’t have been the televote winner, Spain would have been and Spain would have won in 2022

Nikita Zhukov
Nikita Zhukov
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeroen

Moldova scored more televote points than Spain, and Serbia was 3 points behind Chanel
Nothing is ever this easy

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Nikita Zhukov

Yes, but the things would have likely resolved in favour of Spain. Chanel had absolutely all the momentum and setting to win and get enough points.

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

Serbia 2012

DutchTurkk
DutchTurkk
1 year ago

The biggest crime in Eurovision history is Il Volo not winning.

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago

Lots of good songs here! I narrowed it down to my 5 favourites (in no particular order): Serbia 2012, Sweden 2014, Italy 2015, Russia 2019 and Switzerland 2021, and I voted for these 5.

Azuro
Azuro
1 year ago

Chanel was iconic

Dominic
Dominic
1 year ago

These are all good songs, but Gjon and Il Volo are still winners for me! Two of my all-time favorites!