Australia misses Eurovision 2025 as fan favourite knocked out
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It’s that time again—when glitz, drama, and unforgettable performances light up screens across the globe.
But for Aussie viewers, this year came with a touch of disappointment, as a familiar face didn’t make it through to the final stage.
For those who haven’t been glued to the TV, Go-Jo (real name Marty Zambotto) is a rising star in the Australian music scene.
Known for his infectious energy and quirky style, he was chosen to represent Australia with his catchy tune, 'Milkshake Man'.
The song, with its playful lyrics and upbeat tempo, was designed to get the crowd moving and bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Go-Jo opened the second semi-final, a coveted but challenging spot—after all, it’s never easy to be the first act out of the gate!
Despite a lively performance and plenty of support from fans back home, the televote didn’t swing in his favour.
Out of 16 countries competing in the second semi-final, only 10 could progress to the grand final.
The lucky qualifiers were Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta, and Greece. Alongside Australia, Montenegro, Ireland, Georgia, Czechia, and Serbia also missed out.
It’s a tough break, especially considering the hard work and passion that goes into every performance.
Go-Jo himself said it best in an interview with SBS News: ‘I think just seeing smiles… that’s a big win.’
He was quick to credit his team and the Aussie fans for their support, saying that making them proud was what mattered most.
This marks the second year in a row that Australia has been knocked out in the semi-finals.
Last year, Electric Fields also failed to qualify despite a strong showing.
The last time we made it to the grand final was in 2023 when progressive metal band Voyager wowed Europe with their song 'Promise', finishing in a respectable ninth place.
It’s a reminder that Eurovision is as unpredictable as ever.
With so many countries vying for a spot and musical tastes shifting every year, even the best acts can find themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
Eurovision is a unique beast. It’s not just about the song—it’s about the staging, the performance, the running order, and, of course, the whims of the voting public.
Opening the show can be a double-edged sword: while it sets the tone, it can also mean you’re forgotten by the time voting rolls around.
Some fans speculated that the 'Milkshake Man’ song's quirky style may not have resonated with the broader European audience or that the competition was simply too fierce this year.
Others pointed to the ever-changing voting blocs and the unpredictability of the televote.
If you’re still keen to catch the grand final, set your alarms!
The Eurovision 2025 grand final will air live from Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday, 18 May, at 5 am AEST on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Alongside the 10 qualifiers from each semi-final, the host country, Switzerland, and the ‘big five’ (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) will also compete.
The full lineup for the grand final has been confirmed.
From the second semi-final, the countries heading through are Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta, and Greece.
Joining them from the first semi-final are Iceland, Poland, Estonia, Ukraine, Sweden, Portugal, Norway, San Marino, Albania, and the Netherlands.
Rounding out the field are the automatic qualifiers: host nation Switzerland, along with France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
If you missed Go-Jo’s performance or want to catch up on all the glitz and drama, SBS has you covered with highlights and replays from Basel.
And for the true Eurovision tragics, you can listen to every Eurovision winner and this year’s entries on SBS’s 24/7 Eurovision music station, running all May long.
While it’s disappointing not to see the Aussie flag in the grand final, our Eurovision journey is far from over.
Every year brings new talent, new songs, and new opportunities to connect with fans across the globe. And who knows? Maybe next year will be our time to shine again.
Credit: YouTube
Did you tune in to see Go-Jo’s 'Milkshake Man'? What did you think of his performance, and do you think Australia was robbed? Share your thoughts, Eurovision memories, and predictions for next year in the comments below.
But for Aussie viewers, this year came with a touch of disappointment, as a familiar face didn’t make it through to the final stage.
For those who haven’t been glued to the TV, Go-Jo (real name Marty Zambotto) is a rising star in the Australian music scene.
Known for his infectious energy and quirky style, he was chosen to represent Australia with his catchy tune, 'Milkshake Man'.
Australia’s Eurovision entry was knocked out in the second semi-final and not qualified for the 2025 grand final. Credit: @broadsheet.perth / Instagram
The song, with its playful lyrics and upbeat tempo, was designed to get the crowd moving and bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Go-Jo opened the second semi-final, a coveted but challenging spot—after all, it’s never easy to be the first act out of the gate!
Despite a lively performance and plenty of support from fans back home, the televote didn’t swing in his favour.
Out of 16 countries competing in the second semi-final, only 10 could progress to the grand final.
The lucky qualifiers were Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta, and Greece. Alongside Australia, Montenegro, Ireland, Georgia, Czechia, and Serbia also missed out.
It’s a tough break, especially considering the hard work and passion that goes into every performance.
Go-Jo himself said it best in an interview with SBS News: ‘I think just seeing smiles… that’s a big win.’
He was quick to credit his team and the Aussie fans for their support, saying that making them proud was what mattered most.
This marks the second year in a row that Australia has been knocked out in the semi-finals.
The last time we made it to the grand final was in 2023 when progressive metal band Voyager wowed Europe with their song 'Promise', finishing in a respectable ninth place.
It’s a reminder that Eurovision is as unpredictable as ever.
With so many countries vying for a spot and musical tastes shifting every year, even the best acts can find themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard.
Eurovision is a unique beast. It’s not just about the song—it’s about the staging, the performance, the running order, and, of course, the whims of the voting public.
Opening the show can be a double-edged sword: while it sets the tone, it can also mean you’re forgotten by the time voting rolls around.
Others pointed to the ever-changing voting blocs and the unpredictability of the televote.
If you’re still keen to catch the grand final, set your alarms!
The Eurovision 2025 grand final will air live from Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday, 18 May, at 5 am AEST on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Alongside the 10 qualifiers from each semi-final, the host country, Switzerland, and the ‘big five’ (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) will also compete.
The full lineup for the grand final has been confirmed.
From the second semi-final, the countries heading through are Lithuania, Israel, Armenia, Denmark, Austria, Luxembourg, Finland, Latvia, Malta, and Greece.
Joining them from the first semi-final are Iceland, Poland, Estonia, Ukraine, Sweden, Portugal, Norway, San Marino, Albania, and the Netherlands.
Rounding out the field are the automatic qualifiers: host nation Switzerland, along with France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
If you missed Go-Jo’s performance or want to catch up on all the glitz and drama, SBS has you covered with highlights and replays from Basel.
And for the true Eurovision tragics, you can listen to every Eurovision winner and this year’s entries on SBS’s 24/7 Eurovision music station, running all May long.
Every year brings new talent, new songs, and new opportunities to connect with fans across the globe. And who knows? Maybe next year will be our time to shine again.
Credit: YouTube
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