[…]

Personally i am totally gutted with the result. Its not totally unexpected as Russia was a big favourite.

But for me its pretty much the death knell for the eurovision song contest as a truly unbiased contest. Last year was considered bad enough by many observers what with the dominanant eastern top ten but i consider this result as a lot worse.

Dont get me wrong, Russia wasnt a bad song per se but it was truly not the best song out of 25 , not by a long long way.

I didnt go to Serbia this year due to personal and financial reasons but i already have reservations about making
an appearance next year in Moscow. Until such time as a good song can actually have a chance of competing
fairly with other songs from any part of Europe this contest becomes nothing but a political joke.

i will still enjoy watching and listening but doubt i will enjoy paticipating and attending.

Lets hope a solution to this may be possible though i doubt it.

http://akoe07.livejournal.com/128205.html

SUNDAY 25 MAY 0030 LOCAL TIME (2330 BST)

I was sitting with a group of Russians and they were going absolutely crazy as the results were being announced.

But the few people I’ve spoken since to have been really negative, saying it’s politics again and the “big four” should pull out.

Everyone’s just disappointed that their country didn’t win.

I know that Dima Bilan is a big pop star in Russia and a lot of the Serbian girls I’ve spoken to really love him.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7403356.stm

Oh, I come from a nation
What knows how to write a song
Oh Europe, where oh where did it all go wrong?
Come on!

[…]

Eastern Europe, we love you
Do you like Irish stew?
Or goulash as it is to you?
(Irlande douze points, Irlande douze points)

Listen Bulgaria, we love you
Belarus, Georgia, Montenegro
Moldovia, Albania, Croatia
Poland, Russia, Ukraine
Macedonia, love you Turkey
Hungary, Estonia, Slovakia
Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegova
And don’t forget the Swiss

http://www.lyricstranslations.com/eurovision/dustin-the-turkey-irlande-douze-points

Probably that’s why this was the first time I’ve ever watched it.

On a brighter note, Sirusho got 4th place although while her performance was better, some serious doubts still have to be expressed in terms of her inability to actually sing live. Still, she looked good, the song was catchy and her voice wasn’t terrible. All in all, a good result for Armenia.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t particularly encouraging to be able to predict the votes of most countries based on geopolitical links. No wonder that most of Western Europe is fed up with Eurovision. The former Yugoslavia were the most blatant, perhaps, but others in this region were at fault to.

Armenia gave 12 points to Russia, Azerbaijan their full marks to Turkey and of course, the favor was returned. Still, I was glad to see Armenia award marks to Georgia and actually, Georgia give high marks to Russia. Perhaps there’s some hope after all.

But, at the end of the day, while I enjoyed Eurovision for the first time in my life, the winner did not deserve it. Crappy song, in my opinion.

Instead, my favorites were Turkey (great rock song although not appropriate for Eurovision, I admit). Ukraine (hot girl, song wasn’t bad either and she did I say already she was gorgeous…) and Greece (very Britney like but overall perfect and perhaps the act that should have won).

I also like Azerbaijan for just going over-the-top and some great if occasionally flawed vocals. Nonetheless a great debut. All that said, however, for all the problems with her voice, Sirusho’s image, presence and the song was enough to merit a top five placing.

No doubt about that, for sure, and compared to 2006 and 2007 an act that Armenia can be proud of. Sorry, but Andre and especially Hayko aren’t.