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SWEDEN聽is quickly catching up to Ireland as Eurovision鈥檚 most awarded nation after M氓ns Zelmerl枚w won the Scandinavian nation’s sixth competition title on聽Sunday in Vienna, Austria.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary and broadcasting to over 200 million people across Europe and around the world, Eurovision took a marked departure from the glitz, glitter and camp the contest has become renowned (and expected) for.

This year’s competition聽was dominated by ballads with聽few dance and upbeat numbers making their presence felt, particularly the RnB-inspired effort from Australia鈥檚 Guy Sebastian and surprise hit and 聽seemingly gay anthem, Beauty Never Lies from Serbia’s Bojana Stamenov.

While the grand final聽night was dominated by two power ballads courtesy of Russia and Italy, they were ultimately pipped at the post by Zelmerl枚w鈥檚 Heroes (scroll down to watch his winning performance).

Thanks to Zelmerl枚w, Sweden is now聽one聽title聽away from tying with Ireland, which has one the contest a record seven times.

“[Winning] was absolutely amazing. I didn’t hear it when they first said it,鈥� Zelmerl枚w said at press conference after winning.

鈥淚 thought Russia or Italy would win it. But then I did it, and I was so happy. My feelings are now all over the place. I am so proud, so excited, so full of joy.”

The home to this year鈥檚 contest, the Wien Stadthalle, was awash with rainbow pride flags as LGBTI fans took an almost instant shine to Stamenov and her reaffirming dance anthem that was perceived聽as championing gay rights (amongst others) 鈥斅燼 subject matter seen as unlikely coming from the socially-conservative Serbia.

LGBTI fans of Eurovision for the most part welcomed Zelmerl枚w鈥檚 victory, despite the singer once referring to homosexuality as an 鈥渁bnormality鈥� and men sleeping together as not being 鈥渆qually normal鈥� on a Swedish cooking show in 2014.

Zelmerl枚w has since apologised for this remarks and turned his attention towards working with and helping Swedish LGBTI groups.

鈥淚 want to apologise to all who take offence,鈥� Zelmerl枚w said.

鈥淚 believe and hope that the vast majority know that I respect differences and all forms of love.鈥�

In remarks made on stage after聽he was聽handed the Eurovision trophy by last year鈥檚 winner Conchita Wurst, Zelmerl枚w said that anyone, regardless of who they love, 鈥渁re all heroes鈥�.

鈥淚鈥檓 so extremely happy. I want to thank all of you for voting and supporting me,鈥� he聽said.

鈥淚 just want to say that we are all heroes, no matter who we love, who we are, or what we believe in. We are all heroes.鈥�

Zelmerl枚w trailed another competition favourite, Polina Gagarina from Russia for some time as results of national TV and jury votes came in from all 40 countries.

Similar to Russia鈥檚 performance in semi-final two, pride flags flew high and numerous during Gagarina鈥檚 song A Million Voices. Following her semi-final victory, .

When Russia was announced as coming first in the running tally of votes, boos were聽heard around the Stadhalle. The crowd鈥檚 response prompted one of the night鈥檚 hosts to plead with the audience to respect the artists 鈥渘o matter who governs鈥� their country.

As Sweden started to slowly pull away from Russia, the jubilation of the crowd became evident as chants of 鈥淪weden, Sweden鈥� anticipated the announcement of several “douze points” (12 points) being awarded to聽the country.

Wildcard entrant Australia fared well in the聽final results, coming in fifth behind Belgium with 196 points. To many Australian fans鈥� surprise, countries that were speculated聽to award Guy Sebastian with 12 points 鈥斅爄ncluding Greece, Italy, Ireland, the UK聽and Denmark 鈥斅爁ailed to deliver.

Australia scored constantly with several 8s and 10s, but聽the sought-after “douze points” came in only from Sweden and Austria.

Despite stipulating that Australia would have to win to return to Eurovision in 2016, a聽return is still a hot topic of conversation. SBS reported the highest ratings the network has ever seen for its Eurovision broadcast, and the European Broadcasting Union has reportedly been overwhelmed by Australia鈥檚 enthusiasm and effort this year.

Watch M氓ns Zelmerl枚w’s winning Eurovision performance of Heroes:

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