Eurovision winner receives hero's welcome in Netherlands

The Dutch Eurovision Song Contest winner Duncan Laurence was welcomed on Sunday by hundreds of fans at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The 25-year-old Laurence won the annual song contest, in Tel Aviv, Israel, with his song "Arcade" on Saturday. It was the first Dutch victory at the Eurovision Song Contest since Teach-In won in 1975 with "Ding-a-dong".

The plane that Laurence flew with landed around 5 p.m. local time at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where he was welcomed by hundreds of fans dressed in the national color orange. He also gave a press conference at the airport.

"I don't think the whole thing about writing history had landed already," Laurence said. "How does it feel? I have no idea. I have sung my song and this victory is such a big compliment. That's how I keep seeing it."

Singer and songwriter Laurence, whose real name is Duncan de Moor, was born in Spijkenisse in the province of South Holland on April 11, 1994. He reached the semi-finals of the Voice of Holland in 2014, but was a relatively unknown artist in the Netherlands before he was appointed as Dutch contestant in Tel Aviv.

"Duncan's song is a winning game!" Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima reacted on Twitter. "We are proud of Duncan Laurence who conquered Europe with musical class for the first time in 44 years and again brought the Song Contest to the Netherlands!"

"Awesome!" Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated. "Very clever how Duncan Laurence has managed to fulfill the role as favorite with a sublime and powerful performance. I just spoke to Duncan and congratulated him!"

The win means that the Netherlands must organize the song contest in 2020. Duncan Laurence will not participate. "No, I will not do it again," he said. "One time is enough."