Dami Im has been pipped to glory at Eurovision, but the Australian singer has no regrets after enjoying the "best moment" of her life at the world's biggest singing contest.
The 27-year-old Brisbane-based singer came second after scoring the most jury votes but falling short on the public vote, which gave the contest to Ukraine's Jamala and her song 1944.
Russia's Sergey Lazarev, who had been favoured to win, came in third.
Im told reporters after the show, which was seen by an estimated television audience of 200 million, that her second placing may give her more opportunities to release music and tour in Europe, with her song already charting in some countries.
"I just loved performing tonight, the crowd was incredible, I was just enjoying the moment rather than thinking about everything else," she said.
"When I finished that last note, I was like, 'yep, no regrets whatever happens because I've given my 150 per cent, that's all I can do'."
Im impressed with a powerful performance of Sound of Silence in Stockholm's packed Globe Arena theatre which had a strong cohort of flag-waving Australians.
Her song won the most votes from professional music juries in the 42 competing countries but lost out on the count of votes from Eurovision fans phoning in.
It was a nail-biting finish with the jury counts voted first, making it look as if she might win the contest.
"It was so crazy what was happening. To be honest I wasn't all that nervous.
"We were like scratching the Lotto one at a time, I was enjoying it, it was so much fun."
In the end Jamala took victory with 534 points over Im on 511 and Lazarev on 491.
"I feel very flattered that the professionals gave me the highest points, it feels really good. I think coming fourth in the public vote was still really good. I wasn't expecting anything that high anyway so I was so happy," Im said.
In an emotional interview with SBS, which broadcast Eurovision in Australia, Im said she hoped her fans at home were proud.
"It was the best moment of my life," she said.
Students and teachers at her former school John Paul College in Daisy Hill, south of Brisbane, certainly were proud, having gathered before dawn to cheer her on.
"No Australian has ever been so close to winning the world's largest song competition," Logan Mayor Luke Smith said.
"Dami has shown the world what ability she has - her style, grace and sheer musical talent."
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten tweeted their congratulations.
"You've done Australia proud Dami Im," Mr Shorten tweeted.
"Congrats @damiandmusic on winning the jury vote in the #Eurovision final and to @jamala for winning the contest," Mr Turnbull wrote.
While some of Im's Aussie fans complained on social media that she'd been robbed of victory, others like Peter Eagles summed it up like this: "Not usually one to be patriotic, but Dami Im - you're just a deadset ripper".
Australia was invited back to Eurovision after being granted a wildcard entry in 2015 when Guy Sebastian came in fifth with his song Tonight Again.
Im's Sound of Silence was created by songwriting team Anthony Egizil and David Musumeci of Sydney-based DNA Songs.
