3 things to watch out for at Eurovision with Euro 2016 in mind

The next two months will see Europe host two completely different contests, testing the talents of competing nations in the spheres of music and football – Eurovision and Euro 2016.

However, did you know that there was a degree of crossover between the two?

Since 1980, when the European Championships was extended to eight teams for the first time, there have been nine instances where it has been held in the same year as Eurovision.

There are 13 nations this year taking part in both finals. These are – Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine.

Here are three things to watch out for during the song competition, which could have a bearing on who wins Euro 2016 later this summer:

Eight European Championship winners in the nine years sent a solo act to Eurovision

The one exception to this rule came in the 1992 Eurovision won by Ireland’s Linda Martin, when Euro 92 winners Denmark were represented by duo Kenny Lubcke and Lotte Nilsson.

In terms of the genders of these solo acts, there is an equal split of four each between male and female.

The last three European Championship winners were drawn in the final third of the Eurovision running order

Spain performed from 19th of 26 at Eurovision 2012, the same nation sung from 22nd of 25 in 2008 and Greece performed in 16th spot of 24 in 2004.

Only one of the nine European Championship winners sung completely in English at Eurovision

Given that 15 of the last 16 winners of the Eurovision Song Contest have been English-language songs, there is obviously appeal for countries to opt out of performing in their mother tongue.

However, Greece in 2004 are the only one of the last nine European Championship victors to have sung in English at Eurovision in the same year.

So, who will win Euro 2016?

There are two nations that tick all three boxes in terms of having the right Eurovision profile to win Euro 2016 later in the same year – Ukraine and Austria.

Ukraine’s Jamala performs from 21st in the running order and sections of her song ‘1944’ are sung in Crimean Tatar.

Austria have sent Zoe to Eurovision and her track ‘Loin d’ici’ will be performed completely in French from 24th spot in the running order.

If either finish somewhere around the midfield from the 26 Eurovision-competing nations, this will also be a boost to winning Euro 2016.

As things stand, Austria are 33/1 to win Euro 2016, with Ukraine less fancied at 80/1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.