Eurovision trio KAJ, comprising Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård, are poised to make history on Saturday evening with the group priced as the bookmakers' clear favourites to win the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland with Bara Bada Bastu (Just Have a Sauna).
The trio, who hail from Finland's Swedish-speaking minority, are the first Finnish act ever to represent Sweden at Eurovision.
Their catchy ode to sauna culture has topped the odds charts since March, with major bookmakers giving them around a 42 percent chance of victory in tonight's final.
KAJ have been performing together for 15 years, building a successful career as comedians and musicians in Finland. The trio have released seven albums and written two musicals for the Wasa Theatre in their native country.
BBC Eurovision: KAJ are this year's frontrunners to win the competition
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Their Eurovision journey began unexpectedly with an email from Melodifestivalen, Sweden's national selection contest.
"Somehow, they had found us and wanted us to try and write a song for the competition. That is an offer we couldn't refuse," the trio said.
Bara Bada Bastu celebrates Finland's sauna culture with a comedic twist. The song features the trio performing in suits within a mock sauna, surrounded by dancers in towels and woolly hats, wielding birch branch bouquets traditionally used to stimulate circulation.
The catchy chorus invites listeners to "steam up and release all stress today" as the "sauna brothers" glow at "hundred degrees".
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This marks the first Swedish-language song the country has submitted to Eurovision since 1998, with lyrics celebrating the "best cure for body and soul" within "four wood-panelled walls".
KAJ will take to the stage tonight as the 23rd act in the running order of 26 countries competing in the Eurovision final at St. Jakobshalle arena in Basel.
Their closest challengers according to bookmakers include Austria's JJ with Wasted Love, France's Louane with Maman, and The Netherlands' Claude with C'est La Vie.
Finland's own entry, Erika Vikman with Ich Komme, is also in contention with a four percent chance of victory.
Last year's Eurovision attracting 163 million viewers worldwide, including 2.3 million in Sweden alone and the winner will be determined by a combination of viewer votes and jury votes from the participating countries.
Sweden has won the Eurovision Song Contest seven times, making it one of the most successful countries in the competition's history alongside Ireland. Their victories span from ABBA's iconic Waterloo in 1974 to Loreen's historic second win with Tattoo in 2023.
Should KAJ triumph tonight, they would secure Sweden's record-breaking eighth Eurovision victory. This would also mean the contest would return to Sweden in 2026, just two years after it was held in Malmö following Loreen's win.
The achievement would be particularly significant as it would mark the first time a Finnish act has won for Sweden, highlighting the cultural connections between the two neighbouring Nordic nations.
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BBC Eurovision: KAJ are the first ever Finnish act to represent Sweden
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For KAJ, the journey to Eurovision favourite status has been surreal. "Everything has been so fun but also overwhelming. We didn't expect this to happen, and to be one of the favourites for the whole competition? Surreal, but so much fun," the trio said.
They praised the quality of this year's contest, noting there are "many strong entries and lots of fantastic people".
BBC Eurovision: KAJ is made up of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård
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When asked how they would celebrate a potential victory, KAJ's answer reflected the unique cultural bridge they represent: "We would celebrate with the people of Sweden - and Finland. It would truly be a beautiful way to honour the bond our countries share."
They added with characteristic humour: "And of course, when our duties are done for the day. The sauna calls upon us."
