It was looking like a win for the ages, until Australia’s entrant Dami Im was pipped by Ukraine during the dying moments of Eurovision 2016.

But despite coming in second place, Im clearly impressed the jury, receiving the highest number of votes before the public vote swung towards Ukraine.

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Since the competition wrapped up, Im’s show-stopping number Sound of Silence has shot to the top of European music charts, hitting the number three spot in Sweden.

Im in full flight during the competition. Photo: Getty

The song is also charting in Belgium, Ireland and the UK, unlike Ukraine’s winning number – the apparently politically-charged 1944.

Some fans of the competition have criticised the recent changes to the voting system, which now give the public a 50 per cent say in the final decision.

Political and national allegiances are also said to have an affect on the public vote, which put Australia at fourth best and knocked it into the second place position.

But Korean-born Im, who moved to Australia aged nine, is said to now be eyeing off a career in Europe, using Eurovision as a springboard.

“I just loved performing tonight,” she said of the performance.

“The crowd was incredible. I was just enjoying the moment rather than thinking about everything else.

“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 said she would celebrate the result – incredible for a country not actually part of Europe – by going for a lemonade with her crew.