At Saturday’s Eurovision 2024 grand final, Baby Lasagna achieved Croatia’s best ever result at the contest, topping the public vote and finishing second overall. The country was of course proud to welcome home its new hero, celebrating the star at a party in Zagreb upon his return.
Croatia hosted a party for Baby Lasagna on Sunday in Zagreb’s Ban Jelacic Square. The crowd enthusiastically chanted “Marko” and “Victory.” After expressing that he and his team had put their all into their Eurovision performance, Baby Lasagna emotionally stated, “What am I supposed to say now? I expected twenty people at the airport and here there are a hundred. Thank you so much,” as tears welled up in his eyes, visibly moved by the overwhelming support from the crowd.
Sharing a video from the welcome home party on Instagram, Baby Lasagna further expressed his gratitude: “I don’t know what to say and how to thank you. You have brought so much happiness, joy, and pride to me, my family, and my team. Thank you is not enough, but until I find something better – thank you.”
View this post on Instagram
At the Zagreb square event, Baby Lasagna delighted the crowd by performing his Eurovision song. He also took the time to greet his fans and sign autographs. Many supporters proudly wore their Baby Lasagna t-shirts, featuring a cat motif inspired by his music video for “Rim Tim Tagi Dim.”
The event also featured performances by Croatian Eurovision veterans, including the band Let 3, Emilija Kokic, and Tajci accompanied by Ante Gele, keeping the audience entertained prior to Baby Lasagna’s appearance. Notable political figures, including Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, attended the event.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac expressed her excitement in a brief statement to Hina, declaring that she, like all of Europe, had caught “babymania” after recognising Baby Lasagna as a winner not only for Croatia but for the entire continent.
In the meantime, “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” has made waves in various music charts. Currently, the song holds the impressive position of #45 in the Top 50 Global chart on Spotify and sits at #5 in the Top 50 Viral chart on Spotify, marking the highest position for a Eurovision song from this year’s contest.
View this post on Instagram
The publics’ favourite
Ever since winning Croatia’s national selection, Dora, Baby Lasagna became one of the public’s favourites with his song “Rim Tim Tagi Dim.” Due to the musical style and the resounding success among the public, Baby Lasagna was quickly compared to Käärijä, the Finnish runner-up of last year’s Eurovision edition. In fact, after fans pointed out the resemblance between Teya Dora from Serbia and Loreen, last year’s winner, Baby Lasagna and Teya even recreated a photo of the former contestants Loreen and Käärijä at the fans request.
Baby Lasagna shared Käärijä’s fate, winning the televote but ultimately finishing as a runner-up. He received 337 points from the public, while Nemo, the winner, received 226 points from the public. The difference was made by the juries, who awarded Switzerland 365 points and Croatia 210 points.
Croatia’s best result
Marko Purišić, known as Baby Lasagna, has brought pride to his country with its best result in history, securing second place after winning the public vote. He also emerged victorious in the first semi-final.
Croatia made its debut as an independent country at Eurovision in 1993 and has mostly qualified for the grand final. Their previous best results were achieved in 1996, when Maja Blagdan competed with “Sveta Ljubav,” finishing in fourth place, and in 1999 when Doris ended up again in fourth place with “Marija Magdalena.”
Last year’s representatives, Let 3, ended a four-year period of non-qualification for Croatia by making it to the grand final, where they finished in 19th place.
What are your thoughts about Baby Lasagna bringing the best result to Croatia? Let us know in the comments below.c
Last remains of his “popularity”, doubt he’ll even be a relevant name in a year or two.
Let 3 finished 13th last year, not 19th…
They should give a trophy for the televote winner. It’s not even properly announced, we have to work it out for ourselves.
BREAKING: A journalist from the New York Times based in Tel Aviv just revealed that the Israeli government hired experts in multiple countries to manipulate the televote for Israel. Check his Twitter @Yonatal_Touval
I am not a fan of Croatia entry but I prefer this over Metler Metler won how its possible when he was only 5 by people? Never before nobody win in such a lov position by people Only unfair jury win
Great !
Hey, a fellow Croat here, also named Marko! The whole country is very proud of Marko and we couldnt be happier for him. He did the impossible, united a country of hardcore football fans through a song he composed himself in his bedroom. Incredible story that won the hearts of the whole continent and beyond and rightfully won the popular vote. This is an amazing achievement for a small independent artist and I think his cause is greater then just getting the trophy. This will inspire other young european starving artists to submit and fight for a place in their… Read more »
Let me get banned from this site once and for all….. a person with a nickname United by Music…. go F*** yourself!!! Even on this article that was about celebration for a person people love you had to come and spill you poison.
Bye bye wiwibloggs, too many hateful people here
What an irony that someone named “united by music” is the biggest poison on this site.
Marko was so close to winning but he’s already a hall-of-famer, this welcome party was cute and emotional. Hope Marko comes one day to Mexico <3
Well done Marko, decent and humble human being, deserved it all. On another subject, seen this article yesterday and clearly lots of love for Marko has been shown. Coming back in today, everything positive said about BL has been downvoted and I am truly taken aback to see the hate. What a sad bunch you are. Fine, don’t like the song….skip the article. It was for Marko’s fans not for you.
Class act that Marko! You gained some ardent fans from the US these past few weeks!
Baby Lasagna was a bit like an act from Fire Saga and that it is a compliment! Made good memories for everybody. Bravo Marko.
this balkan king is set to become a legend, not just in the esc community
This is how Baby Lasagna (Marko) was welcomed in Croatia – like a REAL winner!!!
Do we have some footage how was Nemo welcomed in Switzerland? Just asking 🙂
Yes, and it is pretty sad. Poor nemo deserved a real welcome
We actually do yes, a huge crowd waiting for him at the airport. But Wiwibloggs won’t share and I don’t know why
The city of Biel is planning a homecoming/victory celebration for Nemo in due time
Baby Lasagna gained within 24 hours 2,3 million streams on spotify for RTTD
Peace at last. Job well done BL.
This is what Eurovision should be all about: a proud group welcoming their artist back home as a hero regardless of whether he lifted the trophy or not. He deserves it all.
We all had asrepresentative of our country in Malmö this week that we can be proud of and who did so well each in their own way.
American here. Our watch party was ALL IN on Baby Lasagna from first hearing him. Avidly looked up his history, his story. Listened to his other music. LOVE IT.
Baby Lasagna gained 4 fans last week here in the States. I would love to meet him, shake his hand.
Way to go Croatia! I so much wanted to join you next year!
Amazing.
I just love reading reactions like this. 🙂
I’m so emotional about him. Being from a “young” country, of course representation is relevant. Marko as well as Croatian National Football Team (with legendary Luka Modric as the most important face) gave lots of happiness to all Croatia, and that’s BEAUTIFUL. People from a country embracing themselves all together for a moment to celebrate a fellow brother is priceless. Marko can be proud of that. ?? People from rich, hegemonic Europe will never understand what if feels to be from that part of the world where things are hard and pain is still healing after decades of war and… Read more »
This Wiwi blog is mostly West Europeans. Some are very rude and disrespectful towards the East Europeans, think that they are superior or something, that we are backward to whom they are sending their money. Literally said that to me here on Wiwi.
I have parents from the East, I am raised in the West and until today you still feel this sentiment.
That’s what I’ve read and seen, Western Europeans being rude and condescending to Eastern Europeans is sadly the norm, kind of the same behavior Americans have towards Latin Americans
He delivered real “concert” atmosphere to Eurovision. Energy, passion, joy. As someone said, welcome to hall of fame to Kaarija, Eleni Fuereira, Barbara Pravi… Future seems bright for you! ???
I listened Rim Tim Tagi Dim for the first time in January and since then the song has been my favourite. I was head over heels when he won Dora with a landslide. During his Eurovision journey I have noticed he is a humble guy and has a lot to teach to us. Thank You Marko ??
I guess among the audience were not those responsible for Dora who had his song as a standby in case someone left the competition.
HRT delegation at the welcoming ceremony was booed by the public.
Heads should roll. Doubt it tho.
They were in the crowd and they were booed so hard they didn’t want to come on stage when invited.
Total hero.
the way he conducted himself throughout the season and particularly during the last week has been a model to all. He deserves success.
Amazing text,love to read it!
One small correction, Let 3 did not finish 19th but 13th last year.
Thank you for everything Baby Lasagna, our best representative ever. Srce ko ku?a!!
So cute! He deserves the world
Nemo also had a welcome celebration in Switzerland, could you talk about it? 🙂
Hey Robert! You know what I’m thinking?
A LORENA/TON?I HULJI? COMBO!
For two years we sent great rock songs, one rather alternative, and the one more accessible. I now need Ton?i and Vjekoslava to do their magic and create another over the top bop “of Biblical proportions”… Marija Magdalena meets Tower Of Babylon! Sonically drown it in Mediterannean with just a touch of rock influences. Having Marko lending a helping hand in production is not unimaginable – he’s a fan of Madre Badessa after all.
BARBA TON?I, JEL SLUŠATE?
Huljic couple said that dora is dead to them. And for me it is too soon to mention tower of Babylon. It hurt still that we didn’t send that instead of that angel from aliexpress
Off topic. In his vlog yesterday William said he is retiring! Is that true or a joke? Is this the end of wiwi
Good. Haha.
I wish Deban will run it, or Deban will start something independant.
This season was too chaotic and running such a big blog must be demanding af. I’d be sad if this is true, but I’d understand it.
Very sweet 🙂
The most important for me is all the love he received from around the world. 3 months ago he was no name. General public adores him, he won the televote in this shocking season. That is huge achievement. I really don’t get how some people hate him. He is so sweet and humble, and handsome. Bravo BL, thank you for bringing me some joy this season. I know he is getting booked all over the place right now. I just hope he brings his charm and charisma in my town so i can see this legend in person. Im happy… Read more »
Can we see the pictures from Nemos welcome from the central square in Zurich or Bern?! Was looking around but can’t find any?!
He wasn’t given a hero’s welome. BL was made into a national hero.
We’ll see him in Switzerland next year as an interval act, for sure!
Hopefully as a contestant because we have no one else of quality to send. Lol
BL said he will not return to Eurovision again. But maybe in couple of years as interval act. If by that time they can afford him lol
No he didn’t. He said I don’t want to say no now because I don’t know what the future brings and I don’t want it to be ”he said no and then he came’.
Lol no! Let me think aboit it for a sec.
Hopefully not, we don’t need joke act in such an modern country like Switzerland.
To you it probably is a joke entry because you don’t get the message or know or understand the reality behind the message. For the balkans and eastern european countries it is a great song that speaks about the sad reality of people having to leave the country and their families for opportunities abroad. And the way the message was delivered in a funny, yet sarcastic way was perfect. If you’re that modern, maybe you should educate yourself more instead of staying in your modern western priveleged bubble.
You are an ass*ole man!!! Go to some psychiatrist please and save yourself on time!!!
If you’d asked me in 1999 which of the “new”, i.e. from 1993, countries would win Eurovision first, I’d have said Croatia in a heartbeat. Sixth in 1995, fourth in 1996, fifth in 1998 and fourth in 1999, it seemed like Croatia winning was just around the corner. Then, somehow, as the 21st century began, it forgot how to do well at Eurovision. Coupled with the balance of power in the contest shifting further east in the early 2000s, Croatia entered the doldrums. After four straight NQs, it gave up after 2013. Since it returned in 2016, results hadn’t been… Read more »
Yes, this is a major achievement. It may not have ended in victory this time, but hopefully Croatia can benefit from the momentum and get the trophy one day
Remember these images when you decide to spread hate and negativity towards somebody other than your favourite winning. There’s more to Eurovision than the final result. *this* is unity by music.
5th position on viral top 50 on spotify and broken into 50 most listened on spotify list. Maneskin type of fame incoming! This is what we mean when we say people’s winner!!! Proud proud proud
On the Global Spotify Charts:
17. The Code, 3.6M streams
45. Rim Tim Tagi Dim, 2.1M streams
It’s excellent but nowhere near Nemo nor Måneskin (Zitti e Buoni got 4.2M streams on their victory day).
You did amazing throughout the competition BL. Looking forward to your next endeavours. Enjoy the downtime.
Talented and humble – such a great personality. Super catchy song, lyrics with deeper meaning, beloved artist, and yet so young. Much love and respect from France!
I have to say though, 210 jury points for this is a lot. My feeling was that a country like Croatia hosting could at least pause the unhealthy monopoly this contest is suffering. I don’t see it with Switzerland. It’s a great country to host, but the country doesn’t host, it’s the institutions. And Switzerland is home to the EBU and always outsources its Eurovision stagings to Sweden so it seems almost certain they will do the same with hosting stuff. A Balkan country might have brought more independence, a fresh start. Maybe.
I’m afraid i have another opinion.
Switzerland can ensure stability through its generally impartial position. The cost will not be a problem for Switzerland either. Let us hope that EBU will reflect and implement changes that are really necessary.
Switzerland is historically a neutral country so it’s appropriate to be on literal neutral ground next year after a controversial and divisive contest this year.
Weren’t Sweden and the EBU trying their hardest to be impartial this year? So much that they didn’t even acknowledge the ugliness happening in their own shows, unlike Austria in 2015 who at least addressed the ugly individuals in the arena? I’m afraid this crowd isn’t satisfied with impartiality.
Switzerland are also SUPER WEALTHY and charge ridiculous prices for hotels. Croatia would have given us a great ethnic balkan time!
Maybe HRT is relieved to not have supporting the financial costs of hosting. Do Croatia even have an arena to host ESC by today standards ?
What do you think, that in East Europe we only have cowsheds for our concerts?
Go please and google Zagreb Arena and compare it with Malmo… Think twice before you write this kind of stupidity!
He deserves all that love and more. Our Balkan king. He should have won the contest.