Sweden is attracting attention at Eurovision 2025 with a playful and catchy song about sauna culture. The Swedish trio KAJ performs “Bara Bada Bastu,” a fun and quirky tribute to a beloved Nordic tradition. This is Sweden’s first entry sung in Swedish since 2012, and it is quickly gaining popularity.
Unlike Sweden’s usual polished pop style, KAJ’s song uses folk elements and humor. Their performance includes synchronized towel dancing and amusing moves that add charm and fun. Bookmakers currently give Sweden a 40 percent chance to win, showing how well the song is received.
The song is more than just comedy. It highlights themes of community, ritual, and self-care, wrapped in a very catchy chorus. After Sweden’s dramatic wins with Loreen in 2012 and 2023, this entry shows that laughter and lightheartedness can also win over Europe.
Austria brings a strong and emotional performance with Johannes Pietsch, known as JJ, an Austrian-Filipino countertenor. His song “Wasted Love” starts as a gentle ballad before rising to a dramatic EDM climax that highlights his vocal range. The song mixes opera and dance music to tell a story about unreturned love, all within three minutes. Austria holds a solid 22 percent chance of victory with this bold and unique entry.
Ukraine’s trio Ziferblat presents a deeply emotional song titled “Bird of Pray.” The song reflects the pain of war, separation, and survival through soft vocals, Ukrainian chants, and powerful orchestral music. The message feels especially real because one of the backing vocalists, Khrystyna Starykova, lost her home due to shelling during rehearsals. This mix of art and reality makes the song stand out in the competition.
Eurovision 2025 promises to be a final full of contrast, with Sweden’s humor, Austria’s operatic power, and Ukraine’s emotional depth. Each brings something different to the stage but all have strong chances to win. On Saturday night, one of these acts may claim the trophy.