Friends of Australia at Eurovision and the countries that do not reach out

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Australia’s Eurovision hopeful Go-Jo has missed out on a spot in the grand final, despite a high-energy performance that had fans back home cheering for the ‘Milkshake Man’ and his sugary-slick dance moves.

While the result stings for Australian fans (and milkshake lovers alike), data suggests this might be less about the song and more about who’s voting — and who isn’t.

Since joining the competition in 2015, Australia has made quite a controversial splash for a country outside Europe.

We’ve earned points from far and wide, with Sweden emerging as our most loyal fan.

The Swedes have given us a total of 86 points over the years, mostly from their expert juries.

The United Kingdom and Denmark have also shown us love on the scoreboard, offering support that might hint at strong diaspora ties or just a mutual respect for a good key and costume change.

But not everyone had felt the Aussie spirit.

Italy, in a move that feels just a little personal now, has never given us a single point. Zero. Zilch. Not even for Dami Im, whose Sound of Silence anthem came second in the 2016 contest.

a GFX who votes for Australia in Eurovision

A snapshot of who Australia has voted for in Eurovision. Source: SBS News

Enter the Eurovision blocs

Welcome to the world of Eurovision voting blocs, where loyalty runs deeper than lyrics and neighbouring countries often show up for each other no matter the tune.

a GFX Sweden and Norway like to vote for each other

The Nordic voting bloc shows how Sweden and Norway tend to vote. Source: SBS News

The Nordic bloc

Sweden and Norway are Eurovision’s ultimate ride-or-die duo.

Since 1957, Sweden has awarded Norway 372 points, and Norway has given back a whopping 550.

These two just can’t get enough of each other’s entries, no matter how many sequins or wind machines are involved.

Denmark, Finland and Iceland are also regular fixtures in each other’s top rankings.

This tight-knit Nordic circle has long been known for sending sleek, pop-driven entries and then clapping the loudest when their neighbours do the same.

It’s Eurovision solidarity at its finest.

Monster rock band Lordi of Finland celebrate their victory at the finals of the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest Source: Getty / Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The Mediterranean alliance

Travel south and you’ll find another unbreakable bond, this time between Greece and Cyprus.

Greece has given Cyprus 522 points since the contest began, while Cyprus has repaid the favour with 544.

A GFX graph on how Greece and Cyprus vote

Southern European countries tend to stick together in voting. Source: SBS News

If they could vote for each other twice, they probably would.

Albania, Armenia and France also appear high on Greece’s list.

It’s a reminder that Eurovision is just as much about politics, culture and community as it is about power ballads.

The bloc advantage

Even though Eurovision has introduced a hybrid system combining jury and public votes, bloc loyalty still has weight, especially during the semi-finals, when public votes matter more.

For countries like Australia that don’t fit into a regional alliance, the road to the final can be steeper.

Without built-in neighbours ready to throw a few extra points our way, success depends on capturing the hearts of fans and impressing the juries.

Australia may not have a bloc, but we do have big talent.

While Go-Jo’s ‘Milkshakes’ didn’t bring Europe to the yard this time, our presence in the world’s most fabulous song contest remains one worth watching.