Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes second to Bulgaria in Eurovision Song Contest

Israel’s Noam Bettan finishes in second place at the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Vienna, Austria, as Bulgaria’s Dara takes the overall top prize.

The nail-biting finish came down to Bulgaria edging out Israel at the end of the public vote.

Israel ultimately took home 343 points overall — 123 from the juries and 220 with the public — while Bulgaria, whose dance hit “Bangaranga” was a crowd favorite — got 204 from the juries and 312 from the public, cementing its first place win with a whopping 516 in total.

Those figures left Israel third overall in the popular vote and eighth in the jury vote, but with enough combined support to propel it to second overall.

Bettan performed his song “Michelle” in French, Hebrew and English along with five backup dancers as millions around the world tuned in. Unlike during Tuesday’s semi-final, no anti-Israel chanting or boos could be heard on the live broadcast. A number of fans could be heard chanting “Noam, Noam” just as the song began.

Israel’s jury gave its top points to Australia, followed by 10 to Denmark, eight to Bulgaria and seven to Finland.

Israel received 12 jury points — the highest possible — from Poland, as well as 10 from Ukraine and Moldova, and eight from Albania, Austria and Lithuania.

This is the second year running that Israel has finished in second place, after Yuval Raphael came in the same spot last year with “New Day Will Rise,” after she topped the televote.