#BIRTHDAY: 15 Nov – Daniil and Valentyn from Ukraine are 30

In these days of semi-finals, we can have a pretty good guess that certain countries will always make the Grand Final. Sometimes it’s obvious that they deserve to. Other times you think their qualification record might be in jeopardy.

In Basel in 2025, we had the usual crop of guaranteed finalists. For many, the Ukrainian act Циферблат/Ziferblat were in the maybe pile. Today’s birthday boys Даниїл & Валентин Лещинський/Daniil and Valentyn Leshchynski were two-thirds of the band. Yes, they are twins. Anyway, it could be said they have been one of Ukraine’s quirkier acts, with an interesting staging and set of costumes. And much to the surprise of some not only did they qualify, but they won their semi-final. The onto the final, and they finished a creditable ninth. How much longer can Ukraine keep their qualification run going? Слава Україні!

Authors: Riigi Ametnik, John Stanton

Source: OnEurope