Countries Finland

Though Finland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961, they had never placed in the top 5 until Lordi won the contest in 2006.

Finland's victory in 2006 saw thousands of people gather in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, honking car horns, waving flags and singing Lordi's song. It was a moment of celebration for a country that had never come close to victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, a testament to the country's perseverance. Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat proclaimed: "It's official: Hell has frozen over. Finland has won".