As we all know , Austria won the 2025 edition of the Eurovision Song contest in Basel, with JJ and “Wasted Love”. and we will be travelling to Austria’s capital city, Vienna , for the 2026 edition of our beloved contest. JJ’s victory in Basel was the third victory for Austria at the contest , with previous wins being in 1966, with Udo Jurgens and “Mercie Cherie “and again in 2014 when Conchita Wurst took victory for the nation with “Rise like a Phoenix ” in Copenhagen, Denmark.

With this in mind, we at Eurovision Ireland, decided it would be interesting to create a series , looking back over the years at previous Austrian acts and how they fared in the contest , in the years that Austria have taken part . Today, in Part 14 of our series, we will look at the years 2007.2011,2012.

2007-Eric Papilaya “Get a life – get alive “

After taking a year’s break from the contest in 2006, Austria returned in 2007, hoping to make the Grand Final in Helsinki , Finland. Eric Papilya was internally selected by broadcaster ORF to sing “Get a Life -Get alive” . Unfortunately, in a Semi Final of 28 countries the competition was tough and sadly, Austria again failed to qualify for the Grand Final , achieving only 4 points and finishing 27th out of 28 countries. Dur to another poor result. ORF again decided that Austria would not compete in the 2008 ESC and indeed, would not return until 2011.

2011-Nadine Beiler -“The Secret is Love “

After a break of four years, Austria returned to the contest in 2011, taking place in Dusseldorf, Germany.This time,they opted for a National Final to choose their entry and Nadine Beiler was chosent to represent the nation with her song “The Secret is Love” . With a gospel type backing singers and Nadine’s sound vocals, she was able to finally get Austria back to the Grand Final. She came 18th in the Grand Final but was 5th with the Jury voting .

2012-Trackshittaz-Woki mit deim Popo

After the dulcit tones of Nadine Beiler the year before, Austria coud not have gone for a more contrasting song in 2012, when Trackshittaz, an Austrian hip hop band won the National Final. Unfortunately, Europe didn’t quite take to their style of music and they came last in their Semi Final, with only 8 points.

And that concludes our look back at 2007, 2011, 2012.

In part 16 of our series on past Austrian participants, we will focus on the years 2013. 2014, 2015

You can see Part 1, covering the years 1957,1958 and 1959 HERE , Part 2 covering the years 1960.1961 and 1962 HERE ,Part 3 covering the years 1963, 1964,1965HERE .Part 4 , covering the years 1966, 1967 and 1968 HERE .Part 5 covering 1971,1972 and 1976,HERE . Part 6 covering the years 1977,1978 and 1979 HERE .Part 7 covering 1980, 1981 and 1982 HERE Part 8 covering 1983, 1984 and 1985 HERE Part 9 covering 1986 , 1987 and 1988 HERE Part 10 1989.1990.1991 HERE Part 11 1992.1993,1994 HERE Part 12 1995.1996, 1997 HERE Part 13 1999, 2000,2002 HERE Part 14 HERE

In the meantime , let us know what you think about Austria at Eurovision by either leaving us a comment in the comments box , or you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and X .

Author : Sarah Rudman

ORF, You Tube