GLOBAL MUSIC

Ghent

223 • Belgium
Graslei and Korenlei
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Billede

​​Welcome to Ghent
"City of Hidden Treasures and Medieval Marvel"

Welcome to Ghent, a hidden treasure in the heart of Belgium, where medieval charm meets modern flair in a city that promises to captivate your senses. Nestled at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers, Ghent is a city of canals, stunning architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene that invites you to explore its every corner.

As you wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, you'll be awestruck by the majestic beauty of the medieval landmarks that define Ghent's skyline. The imposing Gravensteen Castle, a fortress that has stood for centuries, offers panoramic views over the city, while the magnificent St. Bavo's Cathedral houses the world-renowned Ghent Altarpiece, a masterpiece of Flemish art that will leave you speechless.

The city's medieval beauty comes alive along the Graslei and Korenlei quays, where picturesque buildings line the canals, and waterside cafes invite you to relax with a local brew or savor Belgian delicacies. Ghent is a food lover's paradise, with its thriving culinary scene offering everything from traditional Flemish stews to contemporary gourmet dishes crafted by innovative chefs.

Ghent’s cultural spirit shines brightly through its festivals and artistic pulse. Whether you’re attending the lively Gentse Feesten, one of Europe’s largest street festivals, or exploring the cutting-edge exhibits at the S.M.A.K. Museum of Contemporary Art, Ghent’s vibrant atmosphere is impossible to resist.

For those who crave a touch of romance, Ghent's illuminated nights will leave you mesmerized. As the sun sets, the city transforms into a glowing spectacle, with its historic buildings bathed in soft light, casting reflections across the tranquil canals.

Whether you're drawn by history, art, food, or simply the city’s warm, welcoming vibe, Ghent offers an unforgettable blend of past and present. So, pack your bags and come discover one of Belgium’s best-kept secrets. Welcome to Ghent – where every moment feels like stepping into a storybook.
Host City / Ghent, Belgium
Venue / Ghelamco Arena
Hosts / Angèle and Hooverphonic
​​
Participating countries / 44
Returning countries / Brazil and Ireland
Withdrawing countries / China, Monaco, Turkey and Vietnam

Debuting players / None
Billede

Returning Artists

15

Alan Walker / 8 times for Norway, twice for China and once for United Kingdom, Indonesia, South Korea and United States / Silver Medallist

10

Faouzia / 7 times for Morocco and once for Canada and United States / Double Global Music Champion

08

Il Volo / 4 times for Italy and 3 times for San Marino / Global Music Champion

07

Agnez Mo / for Indonesia / 7th place
Christopher Nissen / 4 times for Denmark and twice for South Korea / Bronze Medallist
Zaz / 4 times for Monaco and twice for France / Bronze Medallist

06

Elodie di Patrizi / 3 times for San Marino and twice for Italy / Silver Medallist

05

Gjon's Tears / twice for Switzerland and Albania / Bronze Medallist
Griff / for China / 4th place

04

Ina Wroldsen / for Norway / Silver Medallist

03

Edita Aradinovic / for Serbia / 26th place
Martin Harich / for Slovakia / 4th place
Tom Grennan / for United Kingdom / Global Music Champion

02

Dilan Reka / for Albania / Semi Finalist
Elai Botner / for Israel / Semi Finalist
Kasapski / for North Macedonia / 7th place
Khadja Nin / for Burundi / 22nd place
nublu / for Estonia / 20th place
Orlin Pavlov / for Bulgaria / Semi Finalist
Paulina Paukstaityte / for Lithuania / 24th place

DEADLINES

October 15th:
Vote in the semi finals
Nominate an artist for Global Music Royalty

October 27th:
Vote in the final and for Global Music Royalty

November 2nd:
Submit a song for the next edition

Voting

Give 12, 10, 8...1 point for your top 10
In the final you also have to choose 3 substitutes

Voting forms:
Semi final
Final​

Songs & Videos

Dropbox entitled "223 Ghent"

​​YouTube playlist at TVGlobalMusic

Live Voting

The final
​The televote

Scoreboards

The final
The televote
Semi final one
Semi final two​

The Result

​Countries receiving most 12 points / Denmark, 5
Countries giving 12 points to the winner / Burundi, Malawi, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland
Countries receiving points from most juries / Denmark, 23
Highest placing country not scoring a top mark / Sweden in 5th with 10 points from Brazil, Switzerland and Ukraine as highest marks
Lowest placing country scoring a top mark / Serbia in 23rd getting 12 points from Indonesia

The first top mark was awarded to United Kingdom, but onwards it became a battle between Denmark and Australia, who took turns leading the pack. Halfway through the jury voting, Denmark pulled ahead and never looked back cruising to a pretty comfortable victory. Needless to say, the won the jury vote well ahead of Brazil, Italy, United Kingdom and Canada. Italy was, however, the only country to feature in the top 5 with both the juries and the public. The televote placed Italy 4th, but it was Spain who scored a big victory with the public, having finished 8th with the juries. Romania (18th with the juries) took second ahead of Sweden (7th) with Ireland (23rd) rounding out the top 5. Denmark finished 6th in the televote and that was more than enough to secure victory. Brazil took home the silver, the bronze went to Spain and Italy and Sweden finished 4th and 5th respectively.

​Denmark is a founding member of the contest and has not missed a single edition ever! After several top 10 finishes in the early editions, Denmark finised on top for the first time in GM18 with Annika Askman and again shortly after in GM20, when Bryan Rice won his first of three gold medals! He repeated on top in GM51 and together with Julie in GM68. Denmark's other gold medals came courtesy of Kendra Lou in GM28, Trine Jepsen in GM43, The Mountains in GM118, Simone in GM123, Infernal in GM136 and CARLSEN in GM146. Despite winning 9 other medals since that last victory, Denmark had to wait more than 50 editions for the 11th trophy, which came in GM203 at the hands of Rasmus Walter with Danish lyrics for the first time. In GM214 Bjørnskov also secured the 12th gold medal with a song performed in Danish, but for victory number 13 we are back to English, but for the first time featuring an artist, who is not Danish. Mikkel has been HoD for Denmark throughout all 223 participations, reaching the top 10 a total of 143 times and winning a massive 50 medals! Well done Denmark, Christopher, Griff and Mikkel!  

The Winner

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​"It Could Have Been Us" by Christopher and Griff is a heartfelt duet that captures the bittersweet feeling of what-ifs and missed chances in love. The song’s lyrics are reflective, with each artist expressing the lingering emotions tied to a relationship that didn't quite work out. Their vocal chemistry brings depth to the story, as they harmonize over a melodic pop backdrop that blends warmth with a touch of melancholy.

Musically, the song is crafted with a smooth, modern pop production, allowing both Christopher’s and Griff’s vocals to shine while adding a sense of emotional weight. The sincerity in their performances resonates, drawing listeners into the vulnerability of their lyrics.

Though it didn't dominate the global charts, "It Could Have Been Us" found considerable success among fans of pop ballads and achieved solid streaming numbers, especially across Northern Europe. The song's relatable theme and poignant delivery made it a favorite for listeners, further establishing both artists in the pop music scene.
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The Final

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01
Denmark
Christopher feat. Griff
​It could have been us
​145 points
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02
Brazil
Alexia Evellyn
​Savage daughters
​121 points
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03
Spain
Zetak
​Aralarko dama
​118 points
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04
Italy
Il Volo
​Capolavoro
​116 points
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05
Sweden
Albin Tingwall
​Mercy
​112 points
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06
United Kingdom
Tom Grennan
​Here
​101 points
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07
Australia
KYARA
​Yearn
​99 points
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08
Luxembourg
Krick
​Drowning in the rain
​87 points
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09
Canada
Faouzia
​Ice
​85 points
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10
Romania
Robert Iosa
​Ceata
​84 points
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11
Czech Republic
Tereza Balonová
​Lampiony
​82 points
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12
Netherlands
Madism & Philip Strand
​Over you
​82 points
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13
United States
Chappell Roan
​Good luck, babe!
​81 points
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14
Mexico
Fehr Rivas
​Tu amuleto
​80 points
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15
Norway
Alan Walker & Ina Wroldsen
​Barcelona
​66 points
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16
Ireland
Lex Bucha & Orla Monelle
​Powerless
​65 points
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17
Bulgaria
Orlin Pavlov
​Div rai
​64 points
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18
Russia
Bearwolf
​Godzilla
​62 points
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19
Lithuania
Paulina Paukstaityte
​Jei gyvenciau menuly
​60 points
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20
Burundi
Khadja Nin
​Mama
​60 points
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21
Belgium
HIDDN & LEVV
​Blood on my hands
​59 points
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22
France
Zaz
​De couleurs vives
​49 points
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23
Serbia
Edita
​Ljustura
​41 points
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24
Philippines
Maja Salvador
Dahan-dahan
​40 points
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25
Iceland
Retro Stefson
​Glow
​37 points
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26
Malawi
Praise Umali feat. Eli Njuchi
​Love me now
​34 points

Semi Final One

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01
Brazil
Alexia Evellyn
​Savage daughters
​115 points
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02
Netherlands
Madism & Philip Strand
​Over you
​108 points
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03
Lithuania
Paulina Paukstaityte
​Jei gyvenciau menuly
​89 points
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04
Spain
Zetak
​Aralarko dama
​83 points
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05
France
Zaz
​De couleurs vives
​81 points
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06
Sweden
Albin Tingwall
​Mercy
​75 points
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07
United States
Chappell Roan
​Good luck, babe!
​71 points
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08
Russia
Bearwolf
​Godzilla
​67 points
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09
Bulgaria
Orlin Pavlov
​Div rai
​63 points
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10
Serbia
Edita
​Ljustura
​51 points
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11
San Marino
Elodie
Black Nirvana
50 points

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12
Estonia
nublu
​Kastehein
49 points

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13
Andorra
Pol Granch
​Titiritar
47 points

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14
Germany
Marina Marx
​Zu mir oder zu ihr
47 points
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15
Switzerland
Gjon's Tears
​Disco
46 points

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16
South Korea
Dreamcatcher
​Justice
42 points

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17
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Sejla Zonic
​Dert
33 points

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18
North Macedonia
Slavica Angelova & Kasapski
​Stakla
13 points

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DNF
Indonesia
Agnez Mo
​Patience
30 points

Semi Final Two

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01
Australia
KYARA
​Yearn
​109 points
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02
Luxembourg
Krick
​Drowning in the rain
​103 points
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03
United Kingdom
Tom Grennan
​Here
​97 points
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04
Norway
Alan Walker & Ina Wroldsen
​Barcelona
​89 points
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05
Czech Republic
Tereza Balonová
​Lampiony
​85 points
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06
Mexico
Fehr Rivas
​Tu amuleto
​80 points
Picture
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07
Romania
Robert Iosa
​Ceata
​78 points
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08
Ireland
Lex Bucha & Orla Monelle
​Powerless
​74 points
Picture
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09
Iceland
Retro Stefson
​Glow
​70 points
Picture
Picture
10
Malawi
Praise Umali feat. Eli Njuchi
​Love me now
​65 points
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11 / Wildcard
Philippines
Maja Salvador
Dahan-dahan
​62 points
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12
Poland
Luna
​Wild west
60 points
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13
Liechtenstein
Fritz Speck
​Wollt ich wirklich, dass du gehst?
56 points

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14
Slovakia
Martin Harich & Rose May
​Slowly
52 points

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15
Israel
Elai Botner & Yaldei Hachutz
​Kimat shtanaim
44 points

Picture
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16
Ukraine
Tvorchi & Pozdniakov
Kalanhoe
41 points

Picture
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17
Latvia
Bermudu Divsturis & Olga Rajecka
​Videji glits
36 points

Picture
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18
Albania
Dylan
​Froni
17 points

DISCLAIMER
I don't claim to own any pictures used on this website.
​All pictures shown are solely for illustrative purposes and no commercial gain is obtained from them.
If you believe you are the owner of any pictures on this site, please let me know and I will remove the pictures right away.


Global Music is proudly brought to you by Mikkel Baltzer since 2005.
  • News
  • 235 Saint Tropez
  • 234 Amsterdam
  • 233 Vina del Mar
  • History
    • Editions 1 -50
    • Editions 51 - 100
    • Editions 101 - 150
    • Editions 151 - 200
    • Super Finals
  • Statistics
  • The Countries
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • North America
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • The Artists
    • Global Music Royalty
    • Champions
    • Medallists
    • Veterans
    • Globetrotters
  • Rules
  • Join