Everyone slagging off Lordi without realising 1) there's a damn good pop tune lightly concealed in there 2) it's fun and done with humour - as was the Lithuanian entry that made the top 6 3) it's brought huge attention back to the contest and 4) it won and nobody can blame "political voting" just as the superb Russian hit that came second got 12 points (rightly) from Israel - not a fan of Russia!

The usual depressing rubbish from the media, you're right. Why can they not see that this is a fantastic win for the contest and it's profile. A heavy metal song which is a potential hit all over Europe.

Shame about your Russia 66/1 - you didn't bet each way??? Just found out i won

OK Russia's maximums came from : Latvia (next door), Finland (next door), Lithuania (next door), Ukraine (next door), Armenia (next door), Belarus (next door) and Israel (who are full of ex Soviets and usually vote for Ukraine and Russia)
10s from Bulgaria,Moldova,Estonia and Poland (all next door or very close).

As good as Russia's song was , you have to admit the bulk of its points seem to be neighbourly

Yeah, I can't see the UK, France, or Germany winning any time in the near future. They just don't have enough close allies within Europe. I suppose the Finnish entry takes the Eurovision away from the usual stereotype that it is just for gays and girls.

did not see any of the media coverage. Can somebody tell me where I can find it on the net. thanksB)

try www.eurovision.tv

I know this is probably already an old topic as most people are concerned now, but being a Brit who now lives in the united states, I have only just got to see this years contest as there was no coverage in the USA at all (not even on BBC America).

I thought there were a lot of bad songs this year, the worst being the entires from the United Kingdom and Finland (the latter of whom I was surprised did so well!). I found the (presumably intended as a novelty) Lithuanian entry ("vote for us") not much better, songs that tell me who to vote for don't usually do it for me, although it depends on how the novelty is done.

I found the Bulgaria entry pleasant, but nothing special. The guy from Ireland was a poor Johnny Logan in my eyes (but maybe because I liked Logan's winning songs so much i compare every easy on the ear male soloist in the contest to him), either way I didn't like the song that much. I tough the lady from Turkey was pretty bad. I thought the ladies from Ukraine and Monaco very nice looking, but the songs were not that good.

My favorite entries this year were from Belgium, Portugal, Sweden and Estonia. I also felt Iceland made a good attempt.

I am a big fan of the contest and am looking forward to 2007!