Europe is reunited in song with 3,500 fans at alcohol-free Dutch venue

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Crowds of Eurovision fans waved their flags in the air and beamed with excitement as they flocked to the socially-distanced venue in the Netherlands ahead of the upcoming final tonight.   

Scores of jubilant fans descended upon the Rotterdam Ahoy arena, in Rotterdam, as they geared up for the 65th annual Eurovision Song Contest.

After more than a week of rehearsals, two semifinals and 53,000 Covid tests for fans, staff and performers, the Eurovision Song Contest that was canceled last year because of the pandemic will go live tonight in front of 3,500 fans and a global television audience.   

This year’s theme is ‘Open Up’, and the Dutch government-backed coronavirus restrictions could be a model for events like Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics as the world slowly emerges from lockdown. 

The scenes of celebration come after Eurovision Song Contest bosses banned alcohol from being consumed at the upcoming final in Rotterdam. 

Speaking outside the arena, one fan, Saskia Scharree, 51, said: ‘I think it’s the beginning of a new start. When something as big as this happens in Holland, you’re going to join in.’ 

Meanwhile Finnish fan Oona Sainio, 27, said she and her family had come to soak up the atmosphere despite not having tickets.

She said: ‘We’re big Eurovision fans and we wanted to be close to the action.’  

The run-up has been dominated by coronavirus scares, with Iceland’s hotly-tipped entry Dadi og Gagnamagnid ruled out of performing live when a band member tested positive for Covid.

Dutch 2019 winner Duncan Laurence meanwhile is also unable to perform his new song live in tonight’s final after coming down with symptoms of the disease during rehearsals this week. 

Now, the favourite among bookmakers is Italy’s Maneskin with their song Zitti e Buoni but their vote could be split by the similarly heavy metal sounds of Finland’s Blind Channel with their song Dark Side. 

French chanteuse Barbara Pravi is also hoping to end her country’s 44-year losing streak with her song ‘Voila’. 

Speaking outside the area, Milo Mateo, from the Italian band Maneskin, said: ‘If we win, it will be very, very nice, because the next year will be in Italy. That’s very good. Let’s hope. Fingers crossed.’   

This week, the UK’s Eurovision 2021 hopeful James Newman looked on form as he rehearsed for the second of two semi-final shows for the song contest.

The BRIT award winner, 35, was full of confidence as he belted out his track Embers while working the stage during the first dress rehearsal show at the Rotterdam Ahoy arena.

It came as the Eurovision was  given odds of just 200/1 by Betfair to win the 65th annual Eurovision Song Contest. 

Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said of his chances: ‘Brit hopeful James Newman has gone from 125/1 to 200/1 to win the Eurovision Song Contest following some strong semi-final performances, meaning victory for the United Kingdom looks out of reach for another year.’ 

Those in charge of the highly-anticipated event in the Netherlands have taken the decision to prohibit drinking at all hotels and venues taking part in this year’s competition. 

According to reports, organisers felt that allowing drinking would risk spreading the disease, and could impact strict social distancing measures that are in place.      

A source in Rotterdam told The Sun: ‘The decision to ban alcohol has gone down like a lead balloon. There were already strict social-distancing measures in place. Having a drink was at least one enjoyable part of being out here – but now that’s gone too. 

‘Lots of the artists are absolutely furious that this has happened. They don’t believe the virus incident in the Icelandic team had anything to do with alcohol being consumed.’    

The decision has reportedly sparked anger among some performers, with the Russian team making a complaint. 

Before the decision, contestants and staff could drink alcohol at designated venues and hotels until midnight. 

This week, Iceland’s Daði og Gagnamagnið star Daði Freyr admitted that his group, one of the favourites to win the competition, were ‘disappointed’ after being forced to pull out of the competition after a member tested positive for Covid-19.

Speaking on Friday’s episode of Lorraine, the musician, 28, said that they are trying to ‘make the best’ of the situation as they remain in the hotel.

It came after 2019 Eurovision Song Contest winner Duncan Laurence tested positive for coronavirus and will also be unable to perform live at Saturday’s grand final in Rotterdam.

Daði explained their decision not to perform without their sixth member Jóhann Sigurður Jóhannsson, who tested positive, as it ‘doesn’t really work’.

He said: ‘The song is written for the band as a six member thing and the performance, the song is written for the performance, one member missing doesn’t really work.’