T h e E u r o v i s i o n a r y

...and she wore 'em just the other dah-ee! So Lena won it for Germany - and I don't think any of us saw it coming, despite the fact that she had been second favourite with the bookies since day one. Have to say that I wasn't a big fan of her "mockney" accent when the song was first selected, but over the past two weeks I have been bopping away to it big style at all of the parties. Being half German, I have LONG wanted to go to Germany for the contest, so once the voting was well under way last night (and all thoughts of Baku were happily cleared from my mind) I found myself being overwhelmed with joy that Germany was about to secure it's first win in 28 years. They have come a long way since Nicole and A Little Peace back in 1982. And wasn't it refreshing that a Big 4 country, with no real political or neighbourly voting allies, could storm to victory simply by sending a modern, catchy and worthy pop song?  There's a big lesson in there......

Hoorah!  After seven hundred and sixty three days here in Oslo, the final of Eurovision 2010 is now only hours away.  So, who are the runners and riders to look out for tonight then? There are around 7 songs in contention tonight, I think; Azerbaijan, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Israel, Norway and Armenia.  I'd love to see Naimh up there for Ireland, but don't think she'll figure in the Top 5. So, of these, I really don't want Israel to win.  Armenia is better than Azerbaijan in both song and performance, and I think they're both Top 5.  Denmark is the quintessential Swedish Euro schlager - and I'd love to see then win.  Singing last is a great position for them to be in.  Spain is just brilliantly performed and I'd love to see it win too. So that leaves Norway and Belgium.  My heart says Norway all the way.  I've loved it since I first heard it back in January and I was in floods when he won the Norwegian Final. My head says that it's ...

Yesterday we were in a period of mourning for the fact that, for the first time since 1976, my favourite Eurovision country, Sweden, will not feature in the final. Poor Anna was seen fleeing the Telenor Arena in tears on Thursday night, and no wonder.  She gave a fabulous performance of her song, and we were all sitting there thinking that Belgium now had a strong fight on thier hand... But it wasn't to be.  I did say back in March that they would struggle with that song - which really was an acquired taste, and had to be heard often to be appreciated. Come back next year Sweden - and bring some schlager with you!!!

Well, let's see if I can get more than 7 out of 10 this time...  I actually think this is a harder one to call, as there are a load of good songs, and somone is bound to come a cropper tonight.  I just hope it's not Niamh or the Danes. So, as I see it just now, these are the ten names I'm expecting to see drawn from the envelopes... ARMENIA ISRAEL DENMARK SWEDEN AZERBAIJAN ROMANIA IRELAND BULGARIA CROATIA TURKEY I desperately want to see Sieneke from the Netherlands qualify, as it's just the sort of frothy, camp fun I've always loved in Eurovision.  I'd be equally delighted with Michael from Switzerland, but I don't see it happening. There appears to be real concern in the Irish camp that Niamnh may not make it, but I'm sure she's safe.  Similar concerns have been expressed about Denmark, and I'd be gutted if it went out!

Get yourselves down to HMV now - pronto!

Well, 7 out of 10 seems to be the average for most folk!  Poor Finland!  Also can't believe Slovakia failed.  Happy that my three faves all sailed through; Belarus, Iceland and Albania (and get me being on screen with my Belarussian flag!). So, it looks like we may well be Belgum bound in 2011 after all.  There's huge specualtion here that Tom and his guitar won the semi, and is looking like a good bet for the final.  You can currently get him at 20/1 with a few bookies.

OK, here are the ten songs that I think, based on yesterday's full run though, will advance to the final tonight: In order of peformance: RUSSIA SLOVAKIA FINLAND LATVIA SERBIA BELGIUM ALBANIA GREECE BELARUS ICELAND I hope to be proved wrong about Latvia and Russia, as I really dislike them.  I also cannot abide the Serbian song, but this seems to be a given. Word around here is that the winner of Semi 1 will be Belgium.  I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that the shock winner of Semi 1 will be - FINLAND!!!  Remember we won't know the full order until after the final on Saturday. Enjoy the show tonight.  The presenters are excellent, and so are the postcards.