Looks like the ESC Insight team are heading to Baku next year, as Ell and Nikki win the 56th Eurovision Song Contest.
For the 25 performers, it really was a case of it’ll be alright on the night as games were raised, songs were (finally in some cases) sung in tune, and sheets of exploding glass exploded close enough to the right moment to make it look effective. And with no obvious problems, the contest still felt like the most open contest in years.
As the voting opened, the new “computer calculated” order threw up eight different twelve points in the first eight countries. Denmark was the first to take a second twelve points, but if you’ve got a handful of countries streaking away, you can’t keep them in the pack for long. At the half-way mark the pack was still reasonably close, with twelve points covering the top five.
Thanks to a strong set of songs all told this year, and the voting order, the pack stayed together for 25 songs, but a pack began to emerge of Sweden, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Ukraine and Azerbaijan. And then Ell and Nikki broke away with a twelve point buffer. Baku started to get ready for the 2012 contest.
Ten countries out, and the lead started to be chipped away by Italy and Sweden, but it wasn’t enough. Azerbaijan take the victory with a relatively low 221 points (and only three douze points, Russia, Turkey and Malta). Congratulations to Italy as well, how take second place on their return, and Eric Saade can hold his head high with his third place.
Well done to Azerbaijan and a return to the left side of the Board for the UK and Ireland so well done to Blue and Jedward and where was France???
I’m disappointed with result; not for any particular nation but just with overall scoreboard.
Azerbaijan wins by a 32pt margin, with TEN 8s, plus five 10s and three 12s. And points from 30/42 countries.
Italy also got points from 30/42, including five 10s and FOUR 12s.
Sweden got points from 32/42 (and gave 12pts to Ireland — No strategic voting there!).
Can’t say fairer than that.
Georgia made the top 10 🙂
I’ve just realised after watching Ukraine’s performance in the final that many people, including myself, might have been doing them a disservice.
The song itself is actually quite good. The problem is the backing track.
In spite of some interesting elements, it is mostly bland, lazy, sessionwork mixed down to a homogenous snore-fest; no life, no reinforcement of the melody, no interaction with the vocal.
I now believe this could have won with a better arrangement.
Shocking result the best song DID NOT win. Well done Blue for their 11th placed 100 points. And thank you Bulgaria for our only douze points. No thanks to Ireland who only gave us 6 points even though their ridiculous act got the 12 from us. Anyway, Baku it is. But does this not create a major issue for Armenia if they wanna enter? Will they pull out? They might not be the only ones!! Oh and Switzerland so didn’t deserve to come last nor Estonia 2nd last!!
Armenian citizens are not even allowed on Azerbaijani soil so either Azerbaijan will have to make an exception or Armenia will pull out. It’s a shame though as Armenia normally send a good song.
If Armenia choose to enter then Azerbaijan would be breaking the contest rules if they do not allow them into the country. The host country would have to be changed in that case, but in all honesty I expect Armenia to withdraw
(Or else do a Georgia on it and try and send a political song something along the lines of “On top of my mountain – which is not yours”).
I would just like to send a giant boo to the Bigpond homepage which ran a front cover story early in the day announcing the winners – gee thanks – i was going to wait and watch the show on sbs but thanks for spoiling it – BOOOOO you telstra/bigpond!
I feel alittle indifferent to the win by Azerbaijan. It’s not about the song or anything like that (weak song; it was okay though), it’s more they may make a mess of the next ESC. I don’t understand how Italy scored runner up place – I’m sure some people like it. Sweden was going to be ‘popular’ so not surprised. I can’t even hum the Ukraine’s song – points for sand im guessing. Denmark was a surprise that i predicted will do well.
Moving along – Greece made the top ten; who knew that a song no one liked or understand scored the win in semi 1 and come 7th on the show. Ireland – good show, good score. Georgia: oh she had no idea what she was singing and i hated it alot. UK – the screamy one competely failed in his screaminess. France – it sadly didn’t work. Russia – he treated it like a joke and he got what he deserved. Austria and Lithuania – two well sung songs, and im pleased they were in the final. Hungary and Estonia favorites that came in the last four. Surprised – no. Commiserations for Switzerland; didn’t deserve to come last, what can u do?
ps: Telstra sux Mel. Join Optus
I would like to comfort Armenia fans here. It is not true that “Armenian citizens are not even allowed on Azerbaijani soil”. Baku hosted range of prestigious international events including the World Wrestling Cup with Armenian athletes participating. So, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Eurovision in Baku.