Finland have become one of the first countries to confirm their participation for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, with applications for their national final Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu set to open on 1st September. Yle first held UMK in 2012 and it has been used as Finland’s national selection every year since.
The Rasmus became the second rock act to win in a row to win the national final. They represented Finland in Turin with the song “Jezebel”, placing 21st in the final with 38 points. Blind Channel brought Finland their third top 6 finish in 2021, when they placed 6th with “Dark Side”.
“UMK 2023 will be bigger than ever”
Being announced on Instagram last week, the announcement that UMK would again be used as Finland’s selection for the contest also confirmed their participation for Eurovision 2023. The post claims that “UMK 2023 will be bigger than ever”. Song applications will be open between 1st and 5th September 2023, with the national final set to take place early next year.
The 2022 edition of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu was watched by a record 1.9 million viewers, with more than 150,000 votes cast. The Rasmus scored 310 points in the national final, including 242 televote points – leaving them with a 89 point lead over runners-up Cyan Kicks.
Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Making their Eurovision debut in 1961 with the entry “Valoa Ikkunassa” by Laila Kinnunen, Finland hasn’t always had the best time at the contest. Finland didn’t have a smooth start at Eurovision, placing last three times in the 1960s. Marion Rung was Finland’s first success, placing 6th in 1973 with “Tom Tom Tom” – this remained as Finland’s best result until 2006.
Before the turn of the millennium, Finland placed last a further five times while they placed in the top ten on only three occasions. Finland’s fortunes finally changed however in 2006 when Lordi won the contest in Athens with “Hard Rock Hallelujah” – marking Finland’s only win and only top 5 result.
During the semi-finals era, Finland has qualified for the final on nine occasions. The Rasmus became the second Finnish act in a row to qualify for the final with “Jezebel”. In the final, the group placed in 21st place with 38 points.
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