02 Helsingborg

Welcome to Helsingborg
"Proud historic Architecture"

A scenic coastal city known for its lively waterfront area overlooked by a medieval castle, Helsingborg considers itself Sweden's gateway to Europe. Located in a strategically important position that caused many battles during a succession of bloody Swedish-Danish wars, Helsingborg sits on Sweden's southwestern coastline, just 4 km from the shores of Denmark. Differences long resolved, the city remains inextricably linked to Denmark by a busy ferry service that's used by nearly 14 million passengers each year. Although it remains a mostly industrial city, Helsingborg offers visitors a modern city center of tree-lined streets and pedestrian-friendly alleyways lined by museums, shops, bars, and restaurants.

Host City / Helsingborg, Sweden
Venue / Helsingborg Konserthus
Hosts / Ulrika Jonsson and Roger Pontare

Participating countries / 16
Debuting countries / Argentina, Azerbaijan and Kenya
Withdrawing countries / Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Serbia and Spain

Debuting players / Adrian for Romania, Daniel D for Argentina, Kryz for Azerbaijan, Jean Sébastien for Canada and Mirac for Kenya

The Result

Countries receiving most 12 points / Romania, 3
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / Finland and Azerbaijan
Countries receiving points from most juries / Albania, 14
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / Albania in 4th place with 10 points from Sweden as highest mark
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / Netherlands in 13th place getting 12 points from Sweden

With the first handful of votes, several countries took turn being on the top of the scoreboard. Then Israel pulled away and looked like a winner until the last two juries cast their votes and handed the victory to debuting Kenya. Israel had to settle for the silver and Romania took home the bronze. Albania and Slovenia rounded out the top 5.

Kenya got the best debut possible with a gold medal on their first participation. It was also HoD Mirac's debut in the contest. Well done Kenya, Mercy Myra and Mirac!