Elena

The results of both semifinals have now been released by the EBU. They make interesting reading. The jury overturned the telephone vote to save countries in each of the semifinals. Quite annoying if your country finished 10th in the phone vote.

In a contest which nobody could call close, Norway won the 54th Eurovision Song Contest in the Olympiyskiy Arena in Moscow. He scored a record 387 points, leaving him a long way in front of Iceland and Azerbaijan in second and third places respectively.

After months of finals, gossip and rumours, the time fans had been waiting for had finally arrived. The first semifinal was held tonight hosted by Andrey Malakhov and Natalia Vodianova. Eighteen songs were competing for ten places in the final, one of which would be decided by juries around Europe.

Despite the problems with the press conference as reported by EuroVisionary, the sixth day of preparations continued with competitors from the first semifinal and some from the second semifinal taking to the stage.

After the first nine countries competing in the first semifinal strutted their stuff yesterday, it was the turn of the remaining nine countries to make their first appearance today.

Having previously announced that the public televote will be combined by a jury vote, the EBU have now announced details of how this new system will work.

It’s almost here! Very soon, the delegations will arrive in Moscow and rehearsals will begin for the 54th Eurovision Song Contest. The question on everyone’s lips is who will be celebrating participation in the final, and who will stomp off in a huff?