BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — The globe’s biggest live music spectacle reached its sparkly finale on Saturday night, as the Eurovision Song Contest grand final unfolded — a festival of melody and camaraderie, though not without controversy surrounding Israel’s role in the event.

In Basel, Switzerland, performers ranged from a Swedish trio celebrating saunas to an Austrian operatic pop tenor, all eyeing the iconic microphone-shaped Eurovision trophy.

As is tradition, the outcome remains delightfully unpredictable — with contenders hailing from France, the Netherlands, Finland, and even Estonia, whose representative takes a fun twist with a tune inspired by Italian coffee. The closing show begins at 9 p.m. local time.

According to the odds, Sweden’s KAJ leads with their playful tribute to sauna culture titled “Bara Bada Bastu,” closely trailed by the Austrian vocalist JJ and his emotional fusion track “Wasted Love.”

France's Louane has seen a surge with the heartfelt "maman," alongside Dutch performer Claude, whose ballad “C’est La Vie” has struck a chord with fans. Finland offers the cheeky “Ich Komme” by Erika Vikman, while Estonia’s Tommy Cash energizes crowds with his dance-pop banger “Espresso Macchiato.”

Israel’s Yuval Raphael has captured hearts with her uplifting anthem “New Day Will Rise,” though her inclusion has sparked backlash from pro-Palestinian activists demanding Israel’s removal due to its military actions in Gaza.

This year's final features 26 acts, narrowed from 37 competitors during two earlier semi-finals, all aiming to captivate a globe-spanning audience of approximately 160 million. Artists have just three minutes — and access to pyrotechnics, special effects, and dazzling visuals — to leave a lasting impression.

Eurovision scholar Dean Vuletic highlights the contest’s growing cultural variety, noting the inclusion of 20 languages this year such as Ukrainian, Albanian, Icelandic, Latvian, and Maltese.

"Eurovision used to be about catchy English-language pop songs that didn’t ruffle feathers," Vuletic explained. "But in recent years, songs have become much more meaningful — socially and politically relevant in a way we hadn’t seen before."

"Today," he continued, "entries don’t succeed by formula alone. They need to stand out and feel genuine to really connect with audiences."

The debate over Israel’s participation has stirred criticism for a second consecutive year. Former Eurovision contestants — including last year’s Swiss victor, Nemo — have publicly opposed Israel being part of the lineup.

Although this year’s protests in Basel, both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel, have been more subdued compared to the 2023 event in Sweden — which saw tensions backstage and the disqualification of Dutch singer Joost Klein for a dispute with staff — the issue remains sensitive.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, has since reinforced its behavior guidelines, emphasizing values such as inclusivity, equality, and neutrality — asking all involved to uphold these principles.

Despite the underlying friction, artists report a calmer atmosphere behind the scenes this year.

Following a contentious flag policy in 2024, new rules now allow spectators to wave legal flags, including Palestinian ones, under Swiss law. Performers, however, are limited to showing only their national flags on stage.

Axel Åhman, one of the members of the Swedish group KAJ, acknowledges the struggle to keep politics outside the competition.

“Real-life issues always find a way in,” he told the AP. “Still, we’re here to showcase Sweden, and this moment means the world to us. We’ve worked all our lives for this chance, and our focus is on giving the best performance possible.”

“Politics are for the EBU and the decision-makers,” he added, “while we just want to celebrate music and the spirit of Eurovision.”

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This report includes contributions from Associated Press journalists Hilary Fox and Kwiyeon Ha.