Eurovision 2025: Betting Odds Fail, Portugal Shocks, and Belgium's Disappointment

Eurovision 2025: Betting Odds Prove Inaccurate; Portugal's Upset Victory and Belgium's Early Exit The first semifinal of Eurovision 2025 delivered surprising results, defying the predictions of betting oddsmakers. Portugal, given only a 14% chance of qualifying, secured a spot in the final, shattering expectations. In contrast, Belgium, initially considered a frontrunner, failed to advance past the semifinals. This unexpected outcome highlights the limitations of relying solely on betting odds to predict contest results. "Portugal managed to break the record for the lowest qualification odds of any country in Eurovision history," noted one Eurovision commentator. The inaccurate predictions extended beyond Portugal and Belgium. Iceland, predicted not to qualify, was also wrong, as was the prediction for Cyprus's qualification. The unexpected results underscore the unpredictable nature of the Eurovision Song Contest and the difficulty in accurately forecasting outcomes based on pre-contest betting odds. The event serves as a reminder that while odds can offer some insight, they're not always a reliable indicator of final results.