Recently in Eurovision Reviews Category

Aw, well done Poland. They've just scooped their first ever Eurovision title, 14 years after their impressive debut at the Song Contest (they took silver in 1994) by sort-of-moonwalking their way to the 2008 Eurovision Dance Contest trophy.

The United Kingdom finished ninth (not a double-digit position - let joy rain down upon us all) out of, umm, 14 competing nations, but let's not be churlish. Instead, we shall concentrate on the winners.

Or... how we celebrated the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest

Here you can see Jason Southam proffering an ABBA Russian doll (Russian...spooky) to fellow partygoer Catherine Flower during the sweepstake at the beginning of Saturday's Euro-adventure.

Tragically for Cath, Russia wasn't among the five nations she plucked from the innards of the Super Swedes (I'm ashamed to say, I got my mitts on that), but come with us now as we guide you through our evening of Eurovisioniness. Bet you can't wait.

Ah well.

Firstly, Boom Bang a Blog wants to send its commiserations to Andy Abraham.

The only thing wrong with the UK entry last night - which came across really well on screen - was that it was stuck at the wrong end of the draw.

If Even If had been performed towards the end of the show, there's no doubt in our minds that Andy wouldn't have been equal last (however, the way the Eurovision placing system works, there are no shared placings, and with only two countries voting for him, we may have finished absolute bottom again. Yah boo).

But let's get on to the winners.

Andy Abraham will be smiling a bit after this evening's draw.

Here is the running order for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. And just look who's following the UK...

With hours to go until the remaining semi finalists assemble in Belgrade to battle for a place in Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest final, why not have a listen to our second blogcast.

John Siddle, a man who know a thing or two about lyric and tune - but not necessarily very much about Eurovision - picks his Top Five nations for progress to the final shake-up on May 24.

Do you agree with him?

Think we got eight out of 10 correct - called Belgium and Ireland incorrectly and didn't figure on Finland or Poland.

Here are the 10 countries which made it through tonight's semi-final for a spot in Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest, in order of how they were ripped out the various envelopes:

Day Four - Digesting and Cogitating

So, things in Belgrade are gearing up for the first semi-final tonight. I went to see the technical rehearsal yesterday afternoon and here are my thoughts on who's worth a punt and who isn't.

THIS cherubic little face belongs to John Siddle. Not only is John the man behind our Open Mic blog, he is also a Southport Visiter reporter and a touring singer/songwriter. John also dislikes the Eurovision Song Contest. Intensely.

This is why Boom Bang a Blog hit upon the wizard wheeze of threatening asking John to listen the the 38 songs competing in the semi finals of this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Once we promised to return his favourite guitar unharmed, John was delighted to do it.

Click below to listen to John ruminate about his top five choices of the songs competing in tomorrow night (Tuesday)'s semi and find out what a Eurovision-disliker (how impudent!) makes of this cornucopia of dodgy pop. Click here to have a listen.

Note: We like to think that in the picture above, John is really, really enjoying listening to the Estonian entry Leto Svet. However, since that entry is really rather rubbish, that's probably not the case.