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Bulgaria’s Big Win: A Last‑Minute Twist

Vienna, AustriaSunday, May 17, 2026

In a dramatic finish, Bulgaria captured its first Eurovision title in Vienna, edging out Israel at the very last moment.
The contest had long been a battleground for Israeli entries, stirring debate among fans and organizers alike.

Bulgaria’s entry, “Bangaranga”, sung by Dara, was not a front‑runner before the show. Yet when the public televote was combined with jury scores, Dara surged ahead of Israel’s Noam Bettan by a substantial margin.

This marks Bulgaria’s inaugural victory since its debut in 2005, after missing the past three contests due to financial concerns. The result underscores how unpredictable live competitions can be, turning an underdog into a champion in a single night.

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