Israel’s Noam Bettan finished in second place at Saturday night’s Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Vienna, Austria, just losing out to Bulgaria’s Dara, whose crowd-pleasing dance number “Bangaranga” took the top prize.

Ultimately, Israel came third in the popular vote and eighth in the jury rankings, but with enough combined support to propel it to a second-place finish.

But it couldn’t compete with Bulgaria, whose win — the first for the country — came as a shock after bookmakers had predicted Finland, Australia or Greece as the likeliest champions. Third place was also taken by a surprise outsider, Romania’s Alexandra Căpitănescu with the provocative “Choke Me,” which was second in the televote.

Israel took home 343 points overall — 123 from the juries and 220 with the public — while Bulgaria, whose dance hit “Bangaranga” proved a crowd favorite — got 204 from the juries and 312 from the public, cementing its first place win with a whopping 516 in total.

Bettan performed his song “Michelle” in French, Hebrew and English along with five backup dancers as millions around the world tuned in. Unlike during Tuesday’s semi-final, no anti-Israel chanting or boos could be heard on the live broadcast. A number of fans could be heard chanting “Noam, Noam” just as the song began.

Some booing could however be heard in the live broadcast after Israel’s high public vote was announced.

נועם בתן בביצוע בלתי נשכח בגמר האירוויזיון בוינה ????????????#כאן_אירוויזיון pic.twitter.com/3rWegeQkMP — כאן (@kann) May 16, 2026

נועם בתן בביצוע בלתי נשכח בגמר האירוויזיון בוינה ????????????#כאן_אירוויזיון pic.twitter.com/3rWegeQkMP

— כאן (@kann) May 16, 2026

Bettan received 12 jury points — the highest possible — from Poland, as well as 10 from Ukraine and Moldova, and eight from Albania, Austria and Lithuania.........

© The Times of Israel