Updated May 25 2015 06 39 41
Photo Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow is mobbed by fans and media as he arrives in Stockholm. (AFP Jonas Ekstromer)Swedish pop lovers are celebrating their country's sixth Eurovision victory with an outpouring of national pride after Mans Zelmerlow edged out Russia to win Europe's leading music extravaganza.
He's my biggest idol the perfect son in law He is so good so professional and when I found out he was coming today I rushed here a woman in her fifties told Swedish television channel SVT as she waited with scores of other fans at Stockholm airport for Zelmerlow to return.
In the city 25 year old Kalle could not conceal his glee at Zelmerlow's Heroes win.
It's super for Sweden. We're successful in music and it's a good song to boot he said of the catchy tune.
Josefine 23 seized on the moment to indulge in a little bragging.
This is what happens when we're the best. We often win she said.
Zelmerlow scored gold after being rejected in two previous bids to represent Sweden at the Eurovision.
His refusal to give in endeared the pop singer to his countrymen.
Even the prime minister welcomed Saturday night's victory by the 28 year old heartthrob which came 41 years after ABBA won with its classic Waterloo.
Congratulations Mans A fantastic performance prime minister Stefan Lofven wrote on his Facebook page.
You are now the hero of all Sweden Next year we will welcome the whole of Europe here. Celebrate well and I will call you on Monday to congratulate you.
Three years after holding the contest in Malmo southern Sweden the Scandinavian country must now prepare to host thousands of contest fans again next year.
Photo Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow has become a hero at home after his Eurovision win. (AFP Dieter Nagl)
The press went all out in its coverage with the country's leading Aftonbladet daily running a photograph of the winner on its front page.
Another daily Expressen branded Zelmerlow a hero .
We are celebrating Mans and we are starting to prepare the next edition of Eurovision Hanna Stjarne director of SVT television channel said.
In 2013 some 32 000 tourists travelled to the Malmo area for the show.
Hero to zero for hostsFor first time contestant Australia Guy Sebastian's fifth place was also cause for joy as the country's love for the kitsch competition took on a patriotic bent.
That was amazing. There was a lot of noise whenever Guy was on and they mentioned Australia said Kate Hansen who organised an overnight party in Perth with many guests donning costumes.
Sebastian said he was blown away and amazed by the support he received while breathing a sigh of relief his entry had made it to the top 10.
Even just the reaction to the song and the performance was just mind blowing. I was yeah blown away he told SBS.
Meanwhile the group representing this year's host Austria the Makemakes chose to make light of its Eurovision humiliation.
A year after Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst won the contest the hosts failed to put a single score on the board.
We are the zeroes of our time the Makemakes joked on Facebook referring to Zelmerlow's refrain We are the heroes of our time .
Photo Sweden's Mans Zelmerlow celebrates his win at Eurovision 2015 in Vienna. (EBU Thomas Hanses) Photo Guy Sebastian performs the song Tonight Again . (Reuters Leonhard Foeger) Photo The band Il Volo representing Italy performs the song Grande Amore during the final. (Reuters Leonhard Foeger) Photo Russia's Polina Gagarina performs during the final. (AFP Dieter Nagl) Photo A fan shows off his jacket with the face of last year's Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst. (ABC Barbara Miller) Photo Singer Loic Nottet representing Belgium performs the song Rhythm Inside during the final. (Reuters Leonhard Foeger) Photo Knez representing Montenegro performs the song Adio. (Thomas Hanses (EBU)) Photo Aminata representing Latvia performs the song Love Injected. (Thomas Hanses (EBU)) Photo Australian fans show their support for Guy Sebastian Australia's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. (ABC Barbara Miller) Photo Monika Linkyte and Vaidas Baumila of Lithuania perform the song This Time. (Andres Putting (EBU)) Photo Ann Sophie representing Germany stages a thrilling act at the Eurovision Song Contest. (EBU Elena Volotova ) Photo Representing Moldova Eduard Romanyuta right performs at Eurovision flaunting his showmanship and charisma. (EBU Andres Putting) Photo Edurne representing Spain performs her chosen song Amanecer with strength and style at the Eurovision. (EBU Elena Volotova) Photo Guy Sebastian performs at the first dress rehearsal for Eurovision 2015. (Supplied Andres Putting Thomas Hanses (EBU)) Photo Following last year's victory of Conchita Wurst The Makemakes represent Austria with drama and atmosphere at the Eurovision. (EBU Elena Volotova) Photo Fans celebrate with Eurovision contestants May 22 2015. (Andres Putting (EBU)) Photo Denmark's pick for the Eurovision the Beatles inspired band Anti Social Media entice the crowd with their upbeat melodies. (EBU Andres Putting) Photo Bojana Stamenov from Serbia exhibits her theatrical style during the Eurovision Song Contest. (AFP Dieter Nagl) Photo At the Eurovision Nina Sublatti from Georigia presents a striking and emotional rendition of her chosen song Warrior. (EBU Andres Putting) Photo Compelling duo Uzari and Maimuna represent Belarus for the Eurovision instilling their performance with character and feeling. (EBU Andres Putting) Photo Australia's Guy Sebastian poses for photographers during a press conference for the Eurovision Song Contest. (AFP Dieter Nag) Gallery Eurovision 2015
AFP
Topics music arts and entertainment music awards sweden australia austria
First posted May 25 2015 05 10 13
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