Azerbaijan wins Eurovision 2011

After an exciting but yet again somewhat predictable Contest, Azerbaijan has won the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.

Ell/Nikki with the song "Running Scared" received a total of 221 points & took the title & the honour of hosting the contest in Azerbaijan in 2012.

The UK's hope's of winning the contest were in the hands of Blue, & after a promising lead along with France in many of the polls, failed miserably coming 11th place with 100 points, although this was the best placing in recent years apart from 2009 in Moscow when Jade Ewen finished 5th.

I'm sure we are all looking forward to next year's contest in anticipation already, & I'm sure Azerbaijan will have a lot to offer.

From Dusseldorf 2011, & from the Press Centre here in the Esprit Arena, good night & goodbye till next year.

The tension is mounting!

Well we are in the Press Centre at the moment with just under 2 hours until the start of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final 2011.

There is such a buzz here at the moment, with various polls predicting a handful of countries who might win, but there is no clear-cut front runner this year at all. Among the favourites are UK, France & Ireland, but we just don't know!

It promises to be a very exciting Final, & as the theme of this year's contest goes, you can certainly "Feel Your Heart Beat"!

The Final 24 line-up!

After another exciting Semi-Final last night, another 10 countries have qualified to the Grand Final on Saturday. They are:
1.Estonia, 2.Romania, 3.Moldova, 4. Ireland, 5.Bosnia & Herzegovina, 6.Denmark, 7.Austria, 8.Ukraine, 9.Slovenia, & 10.Sweden.

Some photos of the qualifiers for Saturday are here at their Press Conference following the Semi-Final.


So the final 24 in participating order are:
1.Finland, 2.Bosnia & Herzegovina, 3.Denmark, 4.Lithuania, 5.Hungary, 6.Ireland, 7.Sweden, 8.Estonia, 9.Greece, 10.Russia, 11.France, 12.Italy, 13.Switzerland, 14.UK, 15.Moldova, 16.Germany, 17.Romania, 18.Austria, 19.Azerbaijan, 20.Slovenia, 21.Iceland, 22.Spain, 23.Ukraine, 24.Serbia, & 25.Georgia.

Good luck to all 24 countries for Saturday night!

A view from above & beyond, & along the Rhine.

So some more sightseeing was in order before Thursday night's live Semi-Final 2! We started with a tour on an open top bus which would take us to some of Dusseldorf's most renowned sights, followed by a very nice boat cruise on the river Rhine.

One of the sights on the bus tour took us to the legendary Konigsalee, which is one of Europe's best addresses for luxurious shopping. Also close by is the MedienHafen (Media Harbour), with it's impressive skyline shaped by famous architects.

One of the best views I've had from a tall building was from the Rheinturm (Rhine Tower). It is 172 metres above ground, & on a clear day you might even see the tip of the Cologne Cathedral.

A boat trip on the Rhine is a must, & will take you to some of the most popular attractions of Dusseldorf from Burgplatz along the Rheinpromenade (esplanade) & North Rhine-Westphalia's State Parliament to the MedienHafen & back.

First 10 Finalists now known!

So after a very exciting 1st Semi-Final last night it is now known which ten qualifiers proceed to the Grand Final on Saturday night. The 10 finalists are:

1. Finland, 2. Azerbaijan, 3. Serbia, 4. Iceland, 5. Georgia, 6. Russia, 7. Lithuania, 8. Greece, 9.Hungary, & 10. Switzerland.

I think it is a little surprising that Turkey didn't qualify, & also not too disappointed about Portugal not qualifying as their song was the worst I've heard in a long time at eurovision.

The show itself was very good, however there was a few technical issues ie. some countries had commmentary problems which we have been reassured will be ironed out by the 2nd Semi-Final on Thursday night.

A tour of Dusseldorf today!

So this morning we were up quite early as we had a tour of the City by bus & boat. Firstly on the bus we were taken to some of the city's most renowned sights such as Konigsalee, one of the best known addresses in europe for luxury shopping!

Amongst others, Dusseldorf's Kunstakademie (Academy of Arts) was also on our list of places to see. While on the boat, we had a lovely panoramic round trip on the Rhine, taking in such sights as Burgplatz along the Rheinpromenade (esplanade) & North Rhine-Westphalia's State Parliament, to the MedienHafen & back.

Jedward - Press Conference.

Well there was a buzz late this afternoon when Jedward held their 2nd Press Conference. As expected there was a high turnout of press eagerly anticipating the two young boys from Ireland.

They were both very funny & kept the press amused with witty comments & mannerisms!
These boys have a lot of energy & are always ready to sign autographs & pose for pictures for their many fans, even after a long day with a busy schedule.

Good luck to Jedward on Thursday evening!

Hotel FM

Well the Romanian entry this year, Hotel FM had their 2nd rehearsal this morning & I must say they sounded very polished & professional!

Hotel FM consist of lead singer David Bryan, Alex Szuz, & Gabriel Baruta. David incidently was born in England but now lives in Romania.

After their press conference this morning David had a nibble of an Aberdeen "Rowie" & seemed to enjoy it!

We wish Hotel FM the very best of luck for the 2nd Semi-Final on Thursday night!

Welcome delegates!

Saturday evening was time for the official reception of the Lord Mayor of Dusseldorf to welcome the delegations of all 43 participating countries.

For people who have never experienced this, it's an opportunity for all the artists & their teams to walk up the red carpet & be photographed by the thousands of press & interviwed by the many international broadcasters.

This is followed by the official opening of the Eurovision Song Contest by the Lord Mayor, & the Executive Supervisor of the contest, Mr Jon Ola Sand.

There is also music, dancing & of course a nice buffet & plenty drinks.

First day in Dusseldorf

So we arrived in Dusseldorf on Friday evening & so our first day of rehearsals & press conferences was Saturday. The UK's hopes of winning this year are in the hands of the band "Blue", consisting of Anthony Costa, Duncan James, Lee Ryan & Simon Webb.

I think Blue's rehearsal went quite well & they are quite confident of doing a good job for the Final. In fact Blue are one of the favourites to win the Contest.....remember the UK have not won Eurovision since 1997!

During their press conference later they said that they would love to defend their title next year should they win here in Dusseldorf on Saturday night.

Day 1 at the Eurovision Press Centre.

Arrived at press centre

Arrived at the huge press centre and there's free coffee!!