In addition to being a music competition, the Eurovision Song Contest is a cultural phenomenon, a celebration of innovation, and an opportunity for smaller nations like Iceland to gain international recognition—something the Icelandic Eurovision 2025 entry aimed to achieve on the grand stage. Singers from across Europe (and beyond) gathered in Basel, Switzerland, to compete in Eurovision 2025, hoping to claim the coveted title. Among them, Iceland’s Eurovision 2025 entry Væb delivered a vibrant and memorable performance. However, despite their high expectations and colorful stage presence, Iceland’s final results left many fans questioning whether they deserved more votes in this year’s contest.

To ascertain whether Iceland was undervalued in the final vote total, we will examine the country’s performance in detail, discuss the breakdown of the public and jury votes, investigate fan reactions, and contrast Iceland’s 2025 results with its Eurovision past.

Meet Iceland’s 2025 Eurovision Entry: Væb’s “Róa”

The energetic electro-pop song “Róa” by the Icelandic duet Vaeb served as Iceland’s official entry for Eurovision 2025. Known for their futuristic stage presence and throwback style, Væb transported fans to the early 2000s with their nostalgic yet upbeat sound. The song’s title, “Róa” (meaning “Row” in Icelandic), represented tenacity and the act of continuing on in spite of adversity.

Their performance transformed the Basel stage into a neon dream with its flashing lights, synchronized dancing, metallic costumes, and retro-chic graphics. It was unabashedly Eurovision, audacious, and campy.

Iceland finished 25th out of 26 in the Grand Final with just 33 points, despite this incredible and intense effort. Many found the outcome disappointing for a song that sparked dance parties and social media fan support.

Breakdown of Public and Jury Votes: A Story of Two Worlds

The notable distinction between the jury and public votes was one of the most hotly contested issues after the Grand Final.

Let’s examine Iceland’s point performance in more detail:

• Support for Televotes:
• Denmark: 10 points
• Finland: six points
• Estonia: five points
• Sweden: three points
• Norway: 1 point

With a total of 25 public points, it appears that spectators, particularly those from nearby Nordic nations, found Iceland’s performance to be compelling.

The jury vote, however, was much less generous. Professional jurors from all throughout Europe gave Iceland just eight points. This notable disparity raised concerns about whether Iceland’s submission was undervalued by the jury because of its genre, presentation, or alleged lack of musical depth.

Was this just another instance of juries not “getting it”?

The internet adored it: buzz on social media and fan reactions
Despite Iceland’s exclusion from the jury, online Eurovision fans had a different take.

During and during the Grand Final, hashtags including #IcelandEurovision2025 and #Vaeb trended in a number of countries on Twitter (now X). The performance was characterized by fans as “electric,” “a vibe,” and “pure Eurovision joy.” Scenes of the pair’s coordinated rowing move—a clever yet entertaining reference to the song’s title—were among the many memes and gifs from the performance that soon went viral.

While some users imitated the stage choreography in brief, viral videos, others danced to remixes of “Róa” on TikTok. The hashtag #RoaChallenge received over a million views in a matter of days.

Support for Iceland erupted in Eurovision discussions on Reddit as well. Many users were upset that juries had given such a fan-favorite entry such a low rating. If the outcome had been determined only by the televote, some even conjectured that Iceland might have placed among the top 10.

Critics’ Corner: Expert Opinions

Not every response was motivated by feelings. More measured opinions were expressed by Eurovision analysts and critics regarding Iceland’s performance.

The song was described as “cheesy and loud” by well-known Eurovision blog Wiwibloggs, but it was also “fun, nostalgic, and surprisingly addictive.” Reviewer William hailed Vaeb’s confidence and stage presence, calling “Róa” “a silver-studded blast from the past.”

But some weren’t as generous. The song, according to several critics, concentrated too much on gimmicks and lacked musical finesse and lyrical depth. Even those who weren’t as delighted, however, concurred that Iceland added excitement and fun to the final, which is something Eurovision has always welcomed.

Was Iceland Underappreciated in 2025’s Eurovision?

Let’s now address the central query of this article: Did Iceland merit more votes in the 2025 Eurovision contest?

Justifications for “Yes”:

• The Public Spoke: Iceland received a sizable portion of the televote, especially from their neighbors in the Nordic region.
• Entertainment Factor: Iceland provided entertainment during Eurovision, which is fundamentally a broadcast entertainment program.
• Viral Popularity: The performance’s strong social media traction indicates that it struck a chord with a large audience, particularly younger fans.

Reasons for “No”:

• Tough Competition: The dazzling numbers were overshadowed by powerful vocals and emotionally stirring ballads in Eurovision 2025.
• Jury Requirements: It’s possible that the jurors gave live vocal delivery, songwriting, and technical mastery more weight than stage tricks.
• Polarizing Style: Not everyone finds retro-dance entries appealing, particularly when contrasted with tracks that are more politically charged or emotionally charged.

Perhaps in the middle is where the reality is. Despite without a typical winning song, Iceland’s participation gave the competition color, vitality, and fun—all of which are essential components of the Eurovision brand.

Examining Iceland’s Legacy in Eurovision

Despite never having won Eurovision, Iceland is known for its daring and unforgettable entries. From Selma’s close victory in 1999 to the legendary techno-punk band Hatari in 2019 and Daði og Gagnamagnið’s viral smash “Think About Things” in 2020, Iceland never fails to innovate on stage.

Even though “Róa” didn’t place first, it did bring them new admirers and carried on their tradition of cultural flair and Eurovision experimentation.

What Will Happen to Iceland Next?

Everyone’s sights are on the future after Eurovision 2025. Will there be something more jury-friendly when Iceland returns in 2026? Or would they try to appeal to audiences once more by doubling down on their own odd style?

It’s obvious that Iceland’s Eurovision trip is far from finished, and the world’s fans will be watching regardless of their choice.

The televote, fan responses, and internet buzz indicate that “Róa” deserved greater acclaim than it got, even though the jury vote did not favor Iceland. Eurovision is much more than simply flawless vocals; it’s also about creativity, fun, and cross-cultural exchange. And Iceland delivered in those areas.

Vaeb gave a memorable, enjoyable, and unquestionably Eurovision performance. Regardless of the jurors’ decision, Iceland once again demonstrated to the world why it is the contest’s most popular nation.

How Do You Feel?

Was Iceland passed over for Eurovision 2025? Was “Róa” a gem that was misinterpreted, or was it simply too weak to compete? Your opinions would be much appreciated!

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