The 53rd Eurovision Song Contest

So tonight is the night we've all been waiting for. You can watch live here.

Here we go.... It's Terry time!!!

OK... opening number is a gay marriage?? How very Eurovision!

As much as he makes some unnecessary comments about Eurovision, you just can't help loving Terry Wogan!

Romania "Pe-o margine de lume" - Nico & Vlad Miriţă

This song is a really nice duet in Romanian and Italian and is actually rather good. It's not my usual cup of tea but still a nice way to start off the night.

United Kingdom "Even If" - Andy Abraham

I'm not going to pretend I've ever really liked this song. Sorry Andy. But I do pray we get some points!!!

I could barely hear this at some points. Sound problems or voice problems? AH! Poor Andy.

Bring it home!!

Albania "Zemrën lamë peng" - Olta Boka

Not a big fan of this one but it's the best Albanian entry for years. No silly hats for instance.

Germany "Disappear" - No Angels

The version of this I've got on my iPod has some very awful singing on it so I was interested to hear it on the night.

Sadly it wasn't just the version on my iPod that was iffy. Good song, shame about the singing.

Armenia "Qele Qele" - Sirusho

Great opening, the voice was spot on and I do like this song. But... her voice just wasn't up to some parts.

Bosnia and Herzegovina "Pokušaj" - Elvir Laković Laka

I LOVE THIS SONG. But I don't know why. It's just mad and made me smile.

Israel "Ke'ilo kan" - Bo'az Ma'uda

Pretty boy singing and an okay song. But not in my favourites list.

And as is my Mums standard mark for Israel "Nil Point - Stop Killing Palestinians" (note I don't exactly agree with the statement [well I do but I think it could be worded better] but it's a family Eurovision tradition.)

Finland "Missä miehet ratsastaa" - Teräsbetoni

I really like this song.

Croatia "Romanca" - Kraljevi Ulice and 75 cents

As Terry said... it's men in hats and a grumpy old man. I don't like this song at all.

Poland "For Life" - Isis Gee

Personally I think this song is very boring. Amazing teeth on Isis though. I'll be interested to see how many points we give, I wonder if the Polish diaspora will influence the British vote...

Iceland "This Is My Life" - Eurobandið

Great song. And a very enthusiastic performance. I hope Iceland do well.

Turkey "Deli" - Mor ve Ötesi

I think this is a good solid song. I don't expect it to win but it deserves some votes.

OH NO! It's the Green Room. Why do they always choose the most annoying people to do the Green Room segments???

Portugal "Senhora do Mar" - Vânia Fernandes

I hate this song. Sorry, but it's boring... it's called Lady of the Sea and she looks like Ursula from the Little Mermaid?? This can't be a coincidence...

Latvia "Wolves of the Sea" - Pirates of the Sea

Honestly, the name says everything you need to know about this song.

Sweden "Hero" - Charlotte Perrelli

It's the favourite!! But you know what... I have a sneaking suspicion that the Ukraine will pip Charlotte at the post. I like the song, it's fun.

Denmark "All Night Long" - Simon Mathew

It's alright. But hardly of a calibre to win in my opinion...

Georgia "Peace Will Come" - Diana Gurtskaya

I like the chorus. My brain says it's an awful song. My heart says "Hey it's not that bad!".

Ukraine "Shady Lady" - Ani Lorak

My favourite (shame Andorra didn't make it). Singing isn't actually that good but the stage production and song are great.... Love it.

France "Divine" - Sébastien Tellier

This is an amazing piece of music, in Eurovision terms anyway! I do really like it... please let it do well! Love the beards... shame about the cameras!

Azerbaijan "Day After Day" - Elnur Hüseynov & Samir Javadzadeh

Just plain weird!!!

Greece "Secret Combination" - Kalomoira

The performance was better than at the semi final, but still... I don't think it's going to make it.

Spain "Baila el Chiki-chiki" - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre

This is the only song that I did not listen before the contest. My Mum just sent me a text and her comment on the song was "Oh Please!!". It wasn't godawful but was also a lot like Ali G Does Eurovision. No thanks!

Serbia "Oro" - Jelena Tomašević and Bora Dugić

It's not a bad song, but not my thing.

Russia "Believe" - Dima Bilan

Sorry... was he singing??? I didn't notice, because he was giving me this come hither look. I love Dima... can I keep him?

Norway "Hold On Be Strong" - Maria Haukaas Storeng

We end on a high note, on second viewing I'm going to say it is a good song. And I agree with Terry, this might be the dark horse of the competition.

Can't believe it's nearly over for another year. Much sadness. :(

My hopes:

Ukraine to win.
Sweden, France, UK and Bosnia do really well.
Croatia comes last. Please let it happen!

And Mum has texted me her vote (I'm glad even though we are separated by distance we still judge Eurovision together): Finland! She's always liked rockers with long hair. She's such an eighties girl!

I'm signing off now to enjoy the results tally offline, Terry always has me laughing so hard during them. We'll do the result breakdown and the opinions tomorrow once I've had time to grapple with the brutal, crushing disappointment I always feel at the end of Eurovision. Until then...