A split result it is then - congrats to both Dan and blacksquare and we even let Cody have some joy at the last minute as well x

will comment more later after double checking the scoreboard as per but can definitely confirm the top line figures at least x

Scoreboards are coming and then I have to go back to normal life and Christmas shopping and leave the scoreboards for a bit.

me clutching a top 20 just as cow cow has predicted how i would finish bookmakers stop underestimating sovarasma x

well done dan for winning with an amazing song and blacksquare for getting the eoy top spot!!! thanks rich for a thrilling hosting!

a consecutive top 20 is amazing (like last edition at one point i was very gutted for an independent band to flop this bad). why so sirius take notes x

LOOOVED the attention to detail in the voting reveals and the scoreboards! A really wonderfully smooth and swift contest run by you again, Rich!

Thank you for the points as well! Very much appreciated. I'll be looking forward to everyone else jumping on the Absolutely train in a few months or so x Thank you to those who DID vote for Absolutely though. I was torn between this and 'I Just Don't Know You Yet' (which is GORGEOUS btw) but opted for this Danja produced bop instead!

Great top 10 (I voted for FIVE wowinggg) and impeccable hosting! This contest was really one of the best in recent history in many ways. 💓

It's always a bit frustrating finishing high in the odds but then not even finishing top half of the leaderboard

Congratulations Dan your song sadly fell short of my votes but was still a commiseration, so not a bad winner at all. You've had such a strong year so it feels fitting to end it on the highest high possible. As for songs that did make my votes... I pointed Fljótavík (1), Skall (13), A-Konohagakure (15), Neliönoir (11) + Aelandor (4) so exactly half of the top 10! I'm particularly thrilled that A-Konohagakure's song connected so much, I had no idea if it would be a hit or prove too niche, so I'm glad BJSC voters did take that one under their wing.

As for the bottom half of the scoreboard... justice for Pestolia (seriously slept on the past couple of months!!), Bronzil, Kathaldazia, Cumulonimbia and Aeroche x

Thank you for a great hosting job, Rich... and Blobby! The DNQ and illness probably made me feel a bit less involved than usual but I appreciate your efforts.

Here's to 2026 🥳

1 minute ago, pavi said:

Great top 10 (I voted for FIVE wowinggg) and impeccable hosting! This contest was really one of the best in recent history in many ways. 💓

(Except Jadaphonia DNQing (although it is iconic and adds to the DRAMZ))

a fourth Danæviia win tysm. and in such a high quality contest!

flawless hosted from the eternally relevant FSR Rontvia, and a pleasure to have the baton passed by one of our most-awarded nations.

Nelionöir it's been a great rivalry the past couple of months so only makes sense the #1 is decided by the tiniest of margins, much congrats and here's hoping you decide to return to the contest before too long if you are indeed planning on a hiatus.

additionally, very pleased Cor Lupus did manage to remain top 5 in the end and A-Konohagakure top 10

Congratulations to both Dan and blacksquare on your respective victories, that feels like such a fitting end to the year <3

Many thanks to Rich for being an excellent host, it’s been fun being back in Rontvia <3

And one final <3 to everyone who voted for Spark, beyond delighted with third and feeling very silly now that I was worried about it not qualifying!

(my scoreboard all matches up 😎)

A note about the semis that these are presented in order of receipt and we very nearly were looking like losing a few nations like Aeroche, Kluminican Republic and even Ajanaeda for a while until the final few votes came in. I feel like the latter would have been a massive shock but Summericia pushed it in with a late 12! Unfortunately Summericia themselves looked like a safe Q for quite a while before then getting eight zeroes.

Bronzil the lucky nation to benefit from the Bøtanikkä withdrawal then!

Absolutely clinging to that top ten, it's been a while since I've been at that end of the scoreboard so thank you!

Well done Dan and incredible hosting gd x

Congrats Dan! And I've really enjoyed this contest - thanks for the great hosting.

The scoreboard was a little overwhelming to read at times but so glad all that information was there! I particularly appreciate the icons indicating who has just received points.

Absolutely over the moon at 6th - that's the first time I've finished in any position between 2nd and 9th in over 12 years!

Edited December 14Dec 14 by Harve

Last bit of admin from me is the final scoreboard, thank you all for joining me for this 180th contest and for helping my AQ to score over 200 points, which I do not take for granted at all, thanks so much to all the voters especially a fourth 18 this year from Jade <3 I did sneak a quick calculation of the end of year chart and think this may have pushed me just into the top five, but again I'll wait for Brer to confirm!

Biggest congratulations to everyone in green (or above) who scored a top half hit!

It's been a time consuming in a very busy period but great fun to see behind the scenes again after so many years, and I'm glad this scoreboard actually worked as I wasn't sure it would!

I look forward to Dan's hospitality next month! Over and out <3

6 minutes ago, dancember said:

Bronzil the lucky nation to benefit from the Bøtanikkä withdrawal then!

Presuming they would have qualified, but yes it seems that way. They were doing pretty well until the last few votes though.

and with that I’ve voted for every winner aside from my ow this year! Congrats Dan! 🧡

8 hits is now my record for the year 😲 thanks to everyone who supported Jerry Heil and wrapping up what is now the new Cor Lupus peak!

Congratulations Dan, a decent winner, one I didn't vote for but I'm often on the same page as Bré so that tracks. So much of that top ten is amazing to see though, Lentyll, A-Konohagakure, Aelandor, Cor Lupus, Nelionoir, Taahino all absolute tunes that I'm very pleased got a lot of success.

Thanks for hosting a very exciting and well-run contest Rich, it's been a real gem of one to see out the year.

Pleased to finish just about in the top half then, that counts as one of my better performances this year, thank you to everyone who enjoyed my song <3