EUROVISION 2026 - FINLAND: LINDA & PETE WIN UMK 2026

Finland's national selection for Eurovision song contest 2026 or UMK (Uuden musiikin kilpailu) took place in Tampere tonight and was won by pre-contest favorites Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen and their Liekinheitin. Or rather they swept the floor with the other ones by winning both jury and televotes with a huge margin.

Special guests were last year's UMK winner Erika Vikman (11th in ESC) with last year's Eurovision winner JJ, Finland's Eurovision 1985 represent Sonja Lumme and quartet of leading Finnish rappers Elastinen, Ares, Turisti and Averagekidluke.

Out of 491 submitted entries a panel of 9 members along with five audience groups selected the seven entries for the final. Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen emerged instantly the runaway favorites to win the selection gaining more Youtube views in 24 hrs than any other UMK entry ever and also reaached one million streams in record time. They also became international favorites pushing Finland to #1 in odds ahead of Israel. Etta became the second succesful in streaming platforms while Antti Paalanen was considered the main contender to stop Linda & Pete from winning.....

Update: After their record breaking win - most televotes ever in UMK beating even Käärijä! - they have stormed to #1 in the Eurovision fan scoreboard and gone up several points in the odds securing already 7% lead to Greece with 19 Vs. 12% chance to win Esc. The show was watched by a record breaking 2,5 million Finns and even the number of votes given was a new record. Vienna here we come!

Final results (jury + tele)

Komiat - Lululai (40 + 76) 116 3rd

Etta - Million dollar smile (12 + 30) 42 6th

Kiki - Rakkaudenkipee (28 + 14) 42 7th

Antti Paalanen - Takatukka (58 + 152) 210 2nd

Chachi - Cherry cake (32 + 67) 99 4th

Sinikka Monte - Ready to leave (46 + 51) 97 5th

Linda Lampenius & Pete Parkkonen - Liekinheitin (78 +492) 570

Comments

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Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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