Australians Cheer Second-Place at Eurovision

Australians Sunday cheered contestant and juries' favorite Dami Im for placing second at the annual Eurovision song contest in Sweden, with the prime minister's hailing her achievement.

It was the second time that the island continent had taken part in the kitsch competition after Guy Sebastian finished in the top five following a wildcard entry last year.

"Congrats @damiandmusic on winning the jury vote in the #Eurovision final and to @jamala for winning the contest," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tweeted on Sunday morning.

"You've done Australia proud Dami Im. #Eurovision," Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten added on the social media site.

South Korean-born Dami Im, 27, a classically trained pianist and former X-factor winner, won over the national juries with her slick performance of "Sound of Silence".

Ukrainian singer Jamala was ultimately declared the winner in Stockholm following a heartfelt performance of "1944", a song about the deportations of Crimean Tatars during World War II.