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Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision has become cult viewing all over Europe, but it also provides a great opportunity for spread bettors to win a few euros. Due to changes in the voting format, it's now a more open contest with great markets for us to play -whilst we watch the UK finish in 14th place...
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Venue: Telenor Arena Norway
Date: Saturday 25, 27, 29 May, 2010
TV/Radio: BBC1 & BBC Radio 2
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Year
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Winner
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Country
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Location
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2009
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Alexander Rybak
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Norway
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Moscow
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2008
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Dima Bilan
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Russia
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Belgrade
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2007
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Marija Serifovic
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Serbia
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Helsinki
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2006
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Lordi
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Finland
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Athens
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2005
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Helena Paparizou
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Greece
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Kiev
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2004
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Ruslana
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Ukraine
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Istanbul
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2003
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Sertab Erener
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Turkey
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Riga
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2002
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Marie N
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Latvia
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Tallin
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2001
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Tanel Padar & 2XL
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Estonia
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Copenhagen
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2000
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Olsen Brothers
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Denmark
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Stockholm
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1999
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Charlotte Nilsson
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Sweden
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Jerusalem
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1998
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Dana International
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Israel
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Birmingham
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Format
There are 39 countries in total for the contest, but this will be whittled down to 25 by means of two semi-finals. The 'Big Four' of France, Germany, Spain, UK and the hosts Norway qualify automatically for the final.
This new format should prevent some of the political voting where countries vote for their near neighbours, with whom they share a common language or cultural tastes.
Semi-Finals
1st Semi 25th May @ 21.00 CET
2nd Semi 27th May @ 21.00 CET
The two semi-finals will provide 10 songs each and the 5 'automatics' make up the 25 finalists.
Final
29th May @ 21.00 CET
New Voting System
Due to the outcry about political voting ruining the contest, from 2009 each country's votes are split 50/50 between viewers and professional juries.
Odds & Spreads
At the time of writing (early April) there are no spreads or odds available -but keep checking back as we'll have them analysed as soon as they appear on Sporting Index, Spreadex and Extrabet.
UK Entry
This year's UK entry is Josh Dubovie singing "That Sounds Good To Me" produced by the great Pete Waterman and Mike Stock. Our entry is drawn to perform 12th in the final, which should be about an hour into the show.
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