The host country for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, have decided on their act. O.Torvald will represent Ukraine with their song “Time”, in Kyiv, in May.
The pop/rock band shined on the night of the national selection, with a countdown clock ticking the time away upon their chests.
The combined jury vote and televote led to a tie of 10 points each between O.Torvald and Tayanna, the latter of which sang “I Love You”. Tayanna won the jury vote but came third in the televote. As for O.Torvald, they came second in both the jury vote and the televote. But, power to the people, O.Torvald were chosen as the winner as the televote ranked them higher than Tayanna.
Now that’s what you call winning by the skin of your teeth. This is the first pop/rock band confirmed for Eurovision 2017. They could do quite well in the midst of many ballads that have been submitted this year.
Watch Ukraine’s Eurovision Act O.Torvald Perform “Time” Here:
The band currently consist of five members, who are Yevhen Halych, Denys Myzyuk, Oleksandr Solokha, Mykyta Vasyl’yev, and Mykola Rayda. They have released a total of six albums and a few EPs and singles, dating back to 2008, where they released their eponymous debut album.
They will represent Ukraine in their home country in May, this year. The country has won the contest twice, in 2004 and in 2016. They debuted in 2003, and have always made the Grand Final. They have always been in the top 20, as well. It looks like they are going to continue their streak and be in the top 20 again this year, but can O.Torvald win it once again for Ukraine? Time will tell.
They’ll have to beat all the other contestants. The acts that have been announced so far are: Cyprus’ Hovig, The Netherlands’ O’G3NE, Belgium’s Blanche, Macedonia’s Jana Burceska, Azerbaijan’s DiHaj, Ireland’s Brendan Murray, Austria’s Nathan Trent, Albania’s Lindita, Armenia’s Artsvik, Montenegro’s Slavko Kalezic, Greece’s Demy, Georgia’s Tako Gachechiladze, Belarus’ Navi, The United Kingdom’s Lucie Jones, Finland’s Norma John, Switzerland’s Timebelle, Germany’s Levina, France’s Alma, Spain’s Manel Navarro, Italy’s Francesco Gabbani, Israel’s Imri Ziv, Czech Republic’s Martina Barta, Croatia’s Jacques Houdek, Malta’s Claudia Faniello, Poland’s Kasia Mos, Hungary’s Joci Pápai, Slovenia’s Omar Naber, Denmark’s Anja Nissen, and Moldova’s SunStroke Project.
After Jamala won with “1944”, last year, the contest will be held in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. This means that O.Torvald will qualify straight for the Grand Final, which will take place on 13 May 2017. The two semi-finals will take place on 9 May 2017. and 11 May 2017.
Do you think O.Torvald could win with “Time” for Ukraine again? Who is your favourite so far? Let us know all your thoughts on Eurovision 2017 on Twitter @CelebMix.