Ukrainian band say tipped for ESC win 'even before war'

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 4 - Ukrainian band Kalush said Wednesday they were tipped to win the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin next week "even before the war".
    "Some people are saying we could win because of the war, but our song was among the five favourites before the start of the conflict, which means people like it regardless", said frontman Oleh Psiuk (alias The Psiuchyi Son).
    The group have got special permission to leave their country for the ESC, but one of them stayed in Ukraine to fight.
    Their song, a folk/hip hop fusion written before the war, is dedicated to their mothers.
    "It's a piece about my mother," said Psiuk.
    "I've never dedicated a song to her before and I'm not at all sure that our relationship has been particularly intense in the past, but I know she deserves this song.
    "This is the best thing I've ever done for her. Then, with the eruption of the war the meaning spread to all the mothers who are protecting their children". (ANSA).