PATRIOTIC residents gathered at Albury’s Library Museum to cheer on Guy Sebastian in yesterday’s Eurovision Song Contest.
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Residents were not disappointed with Sebastian, the sole Down Under entrant, placing fifth in what was Australia’s first official entry in the popular singing competition.
“Guy is fantastic and he did really well,” Marianna Valeri said.
The Albury resident was with two friends who snuggled up under an Australia flag doona to enjoy the live telecast from Vienna on a big screen.
They braved the cold and settled in at the library about 5.30am.
“It’s great that the library has put this on,” Ms Valeri said.
“I don’t think I would have got up so early to watch it if I was at home.”
The group were joined by about 30 residents, some wearing their pyjamas.
VIENNA: After finishing an impressive fifth in Australia’s debut Eurovision competition, Guy Sebastian has been singled out for high praise from winner Mans Zelmerlow from Sweden.
“Australia was definitely my favourite,” Zelmerlow said.
“It was a great song and it’s already a huge hit in Sweden.”
Some were sceptical about Australia being given a wildcard to enter Europe’s favourite song contest but Sebastian rocked Vienna with his catchy pop tune Tonight Again.
Zelmerlow’s song Heroes, the clear favourite, won the 60th Eurovision Song Contest at the Stadthalle Arena yesterday ahead of Russia and Italy. Belgium was fourth.
Sebastian was “pumped” with fifth.
“We were hoping to just not finish last because that would be a bit embarrassing,” the 33-year-old told SBS after cancelling a scheduled appearance for the wider Australian media to spend time with family and friends.
“Top 10 we thought would be amazing so to go top five we are pumped.
“Obviously we’ve got no neighbourly relations or anything (in Europe) that are giving us props (votes) but we got so much support over here.”
The ARIA winner admitted that performing on such a huge stage — the global TV audience was 200 million — was nerve-racking.
“You are in unfamiliar territory on an unfamiliar stage in a very unfamiliar competition that we’re outsiders to,” he said.
“I didn’t know what to expect but when I heard the 10,000 people cheer and go off for Australia it was just an amazing feeling.”
Sebastian said up until the eve of the grand final he felt he was “carrying the weight of Australia”.
But then he decided to “breathe it all out and let it all go and just have fun”.
It showed on stage.
The South Australian, who was selected by SBS to represent Australia, busted out some dazzling dance moves alongside his four backing singers.
He was the 12th of 27 entrants to take the stage in the grand final, two spots after Zelmerlow who dominated with a cool song and even cooler on-stage graphics.
The Swede, like Sebastian a professional artist, received a massive cheer when it became clear he’d won.
“I just want to say we are all heroes no matter who we are and what we believe in — we are all heroes,” Zelmerlow said on stage.
Sebastian scored a total of 196 points and received a top-three placing (either 12, 10 or eight votes) from Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Australia’s professional jury and voting public gave top points to Sweden followed by Russia and Italy, meaning Australia called the contest exactly right.