Alongside host Sweden,
only big spenders France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK are guaranteed a
place in the Eurovision Song Contest final on 18 May - Germany won in 2010 (for Lena’s Satellite), but none of the so-called 'big
five' had previously won since Katrina and the Waves in 1997
(Love Shine a Light); the UK is trying to reproduce her success by having Bonnie Tyler fly the flag this year with Believe in Me. Semi-finals to decide which countries join them in the final take place on 14 and 16 May.
2. Nul points?
Expect much joshing at
the expense of Norway, as the country has come bottom on 10 occasions, though they
have won three times - in 1985, 1995 and 2009. I'd love Margaret Berger (pictured) to win with the stonking I Feed You My Love but suspect it's one of those that's too good to come out top.
3. Irish-ise
Ireland have won a
record seven times and their entry this year, Ryan Dolan’s Only Love Survives, is fine radio pop, but their position as European favourites has been
undermined by the explosion of former Soviet states on the scene.
4. All tied up
Iceland has had some
of the most unusual entries over the years - including former drag queen Paul
Oscar, who instituted a perennial taste for bondage outfits in the competition
in 1997 - and is one of the better-performing countries over
time who have never won. I don't think they'll make it this year with long-haired Eythor Ingi’s ballad
Ég Á Líf (I Am Alive), though - but look out for fellow
5. Hebrew times
Songs performed in
English have won 24 times over the past 54 years – Hebrew has dominated three
times and Israel tends to perform strongly, but can Moran Mazor (Rak
Bishvilo) match their last winner back in 1998: transsexual Dana
International and Diva?
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