After a breathtaking and thrilling voting procedure it was Marija from Serbia who could to achieve the crown of Europe tonight. A well deserved victory for the best performance of the night with 268 points. Congratulations Marija!

It was also quite obviously that the Eastern European countries were mainly on the lucky left side, while the classic Eurovision countries, as well as the Big 4 countries, were mainly found on the right side of the scoreboard.
Verka from the Ukraine came second and Serebro from Russia third. The last place is taken by Ireland. Ten years ago, the result would have been vice versa.
The Big 4 countries: Germany came 19th, Spain 20th, France 22nd and United Kingdom 23rd, it is definitely a disappointment.
In the semi-final Serbia also won clearly, Hungary came 2nd and Turkey 3rd, Andorra 12th, Iceland 13th, Cyprus 15th, Switzerland 20th, the Netherlands 21st. The Czech Republic came last with one single point!

Soon the Eurovision anthem will clang through the entire European living rooms. The 52nd Eurovision Song Contest will start finally. The excitement is higher than ever. Will the Eastern European countries top the Western, or will Finland win again? It’s all in your hand. The predictions of the journalist here see mainly Ukraine, Serbia and Belarus to win. Our visitors of eurovisionlive.com see Serbia, Greece and Turkey on the top position.

Europe enjoy your evening!

There are many arguments among the press about the correctness of the voting procedure during the semi-final. After the final EBU press conference it has been confirmed that the televoting has been proceeded 100% correctly. So all of the votes have been collected in an accurate way. So people who may wonder why Switzerland, Cyprus, Andorra, Denmark and the Netherlands have not qualified, it’s really due to the votes. Maybe it’s also due to the fact that many people don’t know about the semi-final and that the Western European broadcasters don’t show the semi-final in the premier programmes. For countries like Moldova or Georgia it’s a total different thing, because they knew from the beginning that there is a qualification round to be taken.
Unofficial sources say that Latvia has been the winner of the semi-final. But only the EBU knows the result and until tonight it’s kept as a secret.
Serbian Singer Marija pointed out that it was the best performance in her entire life and she is sure that the winner of the final is going to be one of the qualified semi-finalists.
The EBU also spoke out that there is a security tape of the dress rehearsal to ensure that if there is a problem with broadcasting that it can easily been backed up with that tape and nobody would notice that. It happened in Copenhagen in 2001. There were 90 seconds blended in from a tape!

After a great evening of music, Europe has made it’s decision. The Finnish broadcaster YLE did a brilliant job, good sound and picture was supplied. Finland was shown as a friendly and interesting country. It’s definitely worth a visit. These 10 countries will participate in the big final on Saturday:

Belarus (3.), Macedonia (6.), Slovenia (7.), Hungary (8.), Georgia (11.), Latvia (14.), Serbia (17.), Bulgaria (21.), Turkey (22.) and Moldova (24.)

As you can see that all of the qualifiers are from Eastern Europe, beside of Turkey. Maybe that’s due to the fact that the people in Western Europe don’t watch the show anymore or don’t know that there is a semi-final.

Congratulations to all qualifiers.

Today is the day of truth. 28 countries will compete for the 10 open slots for big final on Saturday. The Finnish broadcaster is welcoming the European audience with icy and white-blue coloured stage, which is changing to warm spring colours accompanied by dancers with fantasy costumes. The postcards between the entries will show more or less funny stories. They are all typical Finnish in a different way – not as modern, as expected.
The Finnish newspapers have their clear favourites for tonight’s show: Belarus, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Andorra and Latvia. Our visitors predict Serbia, Turkey, Switzerland, Cyprus and Slovenia.
Only one candidate has already reached number 7 in the Finnish Top 10 single charts: DJ Bobo with “Vampires are alive”.
It’s going to be a tough competition tonight: 18 countries will go back home, not reaching the final.
Due to the press conference of the EBU, the rules will not change next year and there won’t be a second semi-final. The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 will be held on 24th May, 2008 and the semi-final on the 22nd. The EBU also considered a kind of World Song Contest in the future.

The semi-final will also be broadcasted via livestream on www.eurovision.tv --->

The German ambassador invited the German delegation to the embassy. Roger Cicero gave a special perfomance. Also Hanna from Finland sang her “Leave me alone”. The ambassador Dr. Hans Schumacher was obviously delighted and was wearing a typical Roger Cicero hat!

This was the last day of intensive rehearsals and press conferences for the countries in the final. So it has been also a quiet day today. Almost all of the participants joined the Welcome Reception in the Finlandia Hall – so maybe there were many tired people after that event. It was indeed the place to be in Helsinki last night. You were able to meet all of the singers and Finnish TV celebrities. The Eurovision Song Contest was officially opened by the chief of the EBU Svante Stockselius. There was a big buffet with traditional Finnish food, wine and beer. It has been a very friendly welcome by the Finnish host YLE and the major of the city.
The Irish were playing music all the time, Serka from the Ukraine was the media star and a hundred of journalists and fans followed every step she took. It was an exciting and very interesting evening. It was the first chance to meet all singers at a glance at one place. On our Media site you can watch all the interviews we made.

The countries of the final had their first chance to rehearse on stage. While the other countries were able to have a little break, for example on one of the guided tours to the design centre Arabia. It is also famous for the glass design of Iittala. The tour was completed by a lovely and sunny boat trip to a small island where there was lots of time to relax or even to take a bath in a Finnish sauna! The team of eurovisionlive.com met the delegations from Iceland, Belgium and Latvia.
Meanwhile there was the German singer Roger Cicero gave his first stage appearance here in Helsinki. Many journalists were avid about the song and the unusual jazz style of the German contribution. Roger is going to sing the last refrain in English, as he usually sings in German only during his concerts. The colors of the stage, the appearance is still unsure yet.

Tonight there is the big Welcome Reception in the Finlandia Hall. All participants are going to be expected there. Unfortunately the last countries in the appearance of the final have to keep their schedule – United Kingdom, Romania and Armenia will not have the chance to join.

Today was the last chance for the countries in the semi-final to amend things on stage, as there will be the rehearsals of the finalists tomorrow. The schedule was tight and everything went smooth so far. We are delighted having interviews with the singers of Belarus, Malta, Andorra and Serbia. Please check out our media site for the interviews. There were no scandals and no dramas, but a strict consequence in following the schedule. All rehearsals were successful and the press conferences were interesting. The Icelandic singer Eírikur Hauksson sang his song in an Icelandic version and also sang Iceland’s debut entry in 1986 “Gledinbankin” – which you can also watch at our media centre in the “Specials” section. The Austrians brought a big HIV ribbon on stage. The Austrian entry is used a promotion event for the charity of AIDS and HIV. Eric Papilaya is wearing a silver suit made from crystals and it looks like a coat of mail.

The second day for the eurovisionlive.com team has been quite successful, as we are having Evridiki from Cyprus and DJ Bobo from Switzerland giving us an interview. Generally the performers (first half of the semi-final) had their last chance to get used to the stage and for amendments. Impressing show acts were those from Georgia, with a very well choreographed performance, Moldova – with a strong voice and beautiful stage, Switzerland – spooky and perfect on stage, Netherlands – Edsilia made a real good performance with step-up. Poland is using cages on stage and Denmark is having a big silver crown and lots of pink feathers - freaky. Unfortunately the voices of the Croatians were quite weak and there was almost no applause in the audience.

The participants of the semi-final have already arrived in Helsinki and all of them have now been on stage. There will be many hard working days to come for the all participants stuffed with rehearsals, sound checks, interviews, etc. The atmosphere is still quiet, as there are still journalists and delegations to be expected.
For the first time the press centre has a the flair of a chill-out-zone. There is plenty of space for meet and greet as well as enjoying the international ambiance.
We are glad to present our first interviews with Hungary, Estonia and Georgia, which you can easily watch on our media site. The Eurovision excitement has caught Helsinki now and it’s going to be a very uplifting and interesting time.

Normally the host broadcaster closes its lips concerning the interval act of the Eurovision Song Contest. This year the Finnish broadcaster YLE has already confirmed that the well known cello rock band Apocalyptica is going to be on stage. Maybe that’s due to attract more viewers to the show. The guys of Apocalyptica (Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen, Perttu Kivilaakso and Mikko Sirén) got to know each other from the Sibelius Acadamy in Helsinki. The idea was to play song from their favourite metal band Metallica with their cellos. This is going to be a very interesting tune.

As there is going to be a very exciting time in Helsinki in early May with the 52nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest there is also a musical alternative for the visitors of Helsinki and the Eurovision Song Contest. On Friday, May 11th there will be a classical concert of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra to be held in the famous Finlandia Hall. The concert will be dedicated to the most popular Finnish composer of classical music Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957). He has composed seven symphonies, various concerts for violins, chamber music and one opera. This is another proof, how much Finland is happy and proud to host the contest for the first time.

The design of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest stage is officially confirmed. As Helsinki is often described as European capital of design it was to be expected to have something original and very stylish. As you can see on the image the stage has got huge arch – a real masterpiece. The idea is coming from a traditional Finnish instrument called “Kantele”. The stage itself is 1.2 m high and has an epileptic central area of 9.2 by 10.5 meters. The catwalk will be used for the hosts, cameras and the interval act.

Watch the video --->

In behalf of the entire eurovisionlive.com team we are very glad to confirm our presence at the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki. We will be in the European hot spot from May 4th until May 13th to support you with interviews, background information, photos, special features and the latest news. Stay tuned!

It’s only one and a half month until Helsinki opens its doors for Eurovision. The record number of 42 countries is confirmed now. All songs and singers are determined and the video clips are going to be available here soon. On the official Finnish website www.yle.fi the previews are already viewable.
The whole concept of the contest “True Fantasy” has been realized in a very stylish and modern way. The Finnish culture and mentality is punctuated in a wonderful way graphically and technically. Of course Finland is a leading country concerning new technology and design.
In the odds there are already some favourites: 1. Switzerland, 2. Sweden and 3. Belarus. It’s maybe a bit too early to predict a potential winner, but the direction is made already. In the past high predicted entries failed at the end.
The EBU has officially confirmed that there is going to be a second semi-final in 2008. Too many countries would like to take part and a show with 28 participating countries like this year is going to take too long.

Link to YLE -->

The German pre-decision has been following the steps of last year’s successful concept. The glamorous Schauspielhaus in Hamburg has proofed as perfect spot for such a special Eurovision party with a superb live orchestra.

The host Thomas Herrmanns might be the best choice from NDR for such an extraordinary show. Like last year he wholeheartedly guided the German spectators through the event. Obviously he is also a true fan of the contest. Together with prominent guests on a couch like Paola (several participations for Switzerland) they spread out an enormously good atmosphere with shoptalk, anecdotes, blasphemy and pikes – quite necessary things which make Eurovision so popular.

As special guests the German broadcaster invited Eurovision performers from former years: Wencke Myhre, Siw Malmkvist, Gitte Haenning, Bucks Fizz, Katrina Leskanich (Katrina & The Waves) and Johnny Logan.

The three competitors in the German decision also had to perform another classic song from the Eurovision Song Contest – and they did it in a brilliant way: Heinz Rudolph Kunze sang “Merci Cherie” originally performed by Udo Jürgens, Monrose with “Wunder gibt es immer wieder” by Katja Ebstein, and finally Roger Cicero with “Zwei kleine Italiener” originally performed by Conny Froebess.

These were the acts:

Die Welt ist Pop – Heinz Rudolph Kunze (The World is Popmusic)
He is a kind of dinosaur in the German music business. With his many years of experience as performer and composer he presented his song in German in his typical style. It is serious music with good lyrics and hint to enthusiasm during the Soccer World Championship last year in Germany.

Even Heaven Cries – Monrose
The new girl group has been discovered during the German casting show „Popstars“. A victory in the German Final would have been the greatest success in their careers. The three girls having convincing voices and appear in a professional way. The performance was lovely made with flowers and a girl on a romantic swing, but the song itself was a bit too shallow for winning. It may sounds differently when Heaven cries.

Frauen regier´n die Welt – Roger Cicero (Women govern the World)
There have been many styles at Eurovision, but Swing has been rare so far. Roger Cicero has gained a huge popularity in the last year and he is probably the best choice after Texas Lightning, to represent Germany with a fancy song. This song is different, effusive and inventive. In Helsinki Cicero will probably sing his song in German! A good choice for Helsinki.

The show was a success. Over 900.000 people picked up their telephones or wrote or did SMS-voting. Texas Lightning gave a special reprise at the end of the show and the audience was dancing. The majority expected Monrose to win. Surprisingly Roger Cicero won at end with the most votes. He will represent Germany at the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki. That’s Eurovision made in Germany!

There are only two months left until Helsinki is going to welcome Europe for the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest on May 12th. Unbelievable – there is a respective number of 42 countries taking part this year. New countries are the Czech Republic and Georgia. Like last year there are some well known names in the list of participants already: DJ Bobo for Switzerland, Evridiki for Cyprus and Edsilia Rombley for the Netherlands. So far the choice of groups and songs differs as always. There will be the boy group NASH from Spain a drag queen DQ from Denmark and opera singers from Latvia. Hanna Parkinnen will represent the host country Finland. More and more songs are going to be selected in all the 42 participating countries until March 12th when the running order is going to be drawn by the EBU.

The hosts this year are Jaana Pelkonen and Mikko Leppilampi – two popular Finish TV personalities who are hopefully going to bring the same young and fresh spirit to the contest like last years Marianna and Sakis.

In about half year’s time the world is looking at Helsinki. Finland is preparing already for this exceptional event. The participants of the Finnish selection are already confirmed. The most know singer is probably Laura Vuotilainen, who represented Finland in 2002 in Tallinn with “Addicted to you”. There are quite good songs in the Finnish predecision this year f.e. Humane with “Shoot me up” or Hanna Parkinen. Due to Lordi’s rock influence there are three rock bands competing. The motto of this years contest is “True Fantasy”, which should express the soul of Finland, as well as the polarity of the country: light and darkness, north and south, Finish retentiveness and craziness. In 2007 there will be no more than 40 countries competing. There are also new countries who would like to join in like Czech Republic and Georgia. Definitely qualified for the final are: Finland, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Ireland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Romania, Armenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.