We WILL win the Eurovision this year - Engelbert Humperdinck will see to that

The Italian tune is fantastic. And the boom boom boom bit is obviously a reference to the workers bomb.

will save this for Saturday, but if it has a boom boom boom bit, it sounds grrreat!

That's a credible song and might go down well with a UK audience. In the vogue of some of the best female pop singers around with a real band instead of some sampled piece of 90s rave music that seems to pass as credible in some parts of the continent.

I thought the Italians stopped going because it was getting so ridiculous (in the land of Berlosconi TV that's a scathing inditement).

Agreed with one piece I read, who was expecting the worse from Englebert, turning up in leather trousers doing some sub Tom Jones sex bomb thing. But no its a dignified entry and he looks sharp and can still sing.

Because Greece will invade them if they don't.

They don't need to, they're all here, STEALING OUR JOBS

Italy 4th favourite according to oddschecker http://www.oddschecker.com/specials/tv/eurovision/winner

Is that a dig at me? I genuinely enjoy the rave-ish Ukraine tune - my favourite of those that have qualified. (I dont think it uses samples though)

Dignified is a good way of putting it. I think (not 100%) that Englebert is the final song of the night, which makes sense in that it has something 'final' about it. I wasnt really joking about the lack of a drop though...it does do something at the end, but i doubt it does enough to get people really excited about it.

'Fraid not, the Hump's up first. The Eurovision kiss of death.

Didn't have you down as a eurovision fan

is this on tonight?

Yep - 8.00pm BBC1

heh that may be my evening sorted

It's a competitive sport. What's not to like? Channel hopping between Azerbaijan and the kicky-ballo in Norway with the singism being the more competitive I'll wager.

£5 e/w on Germany, plus £5 on Uk finishing ahead of Ireland.

Are we all set? I have beer.

It's midnight in Azerbaijan?! Guys, it really doesn't matter that much, you could have started a bit earlier...

I have prawn crackers and milk

actually i'm not so sure i can take this

Oh sure, now we're not competing it's fucking mime-orama

Interesting, no male presenter.

Well, mildly interesting.

Ok, it's something to observe.

Here we go

Go the Hump!!

First time I've heard this - definitely better than some of the pop idols we've put forward in the past, but I fear it's not memorable enough to win from 1st place (iyswim).

Also sounds like he doesn't have the breathing for it.

I thought the Hump did very well

I have never seen a jacket like that before

Definitely wasn't embarrassed by it as I have been in past years, was nice to actually have a half-way decent song up.

They're really going to make the most of these pyrotechnics aren't they Can't wait for a gentle love ballad to be interrupted by 10ft flames

We're not going to win

OK, it was a harmless song, and some non-embarrassing dancers.
Even if he doesn't win (and he won't) it hasn't shown us up too badly.

first bonkers song ofthe evening

Experimental jazz.....not for me Albania sorry