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Live Event Coverage

Eurovision Song Contest - Copenhagen, Denmark 2014

Published by Noelinho

The 59th Eurovision Song Contest is one of the more open events of recent years, with a number of countries in the running. Early favourites Armenia have been replaced by Sweden in recent days, but the Netherlands have stormed from rank outsiders to second favourites. Austria's entry is a Eurovision first (watch to find out why!) and the UK go last with one of its best entries in many years. It should be close, and unlike the last two years, no one is very sure who will win!

As it happened: Eurovision Song Contest 2014

  • 19:31

    Hello my Eurovision pals! It's been so long but we're back with cheesy music, crazy outfits, and some excellent BBC sarcasm. And hey, this year the UK's entry is under 50 years old!

  • 19:33

    26 artists await in the wings to represent their respective 26 countries, after semi-finals all week selected the best of the best for tonight's final.

  • 19:33

    With last year's winner, Denmark, playing host to the ceremony, the Copenhagen based event has the tagline "Join us!" That doesn't sound like a cult at all, does it?

  • 19:42

    If you're looking for a couple of tasters to what is coming up, Ryan rounded up the best of those that didn't get through to tonight's competition.

    "A few notable entries that didn't make it to the final. Latvia had a rather fun little song about baking cakes. Belgium had a rather uncomfortable and slightly creepy song about his Mother. Aaaand whatever this was from Georgia."

  • 19:44

    TweetTweet from @GaryLineker: "MOTD is tomorrow this week. There's always Eurovision to watch, but please let it be known I have nothing to do with the running order."

    Poor guy does get some grief for Match of the Day. He can have the night off tonight.

  • 19:47

    Last year's winner that brings the Eurovision to Denmark for the third time.

  • 19:48

    QuoteNoelinho, an actual expert and actually there, says: "I think this is the strongest final I can remember. Only a couple of duff songs in the final."

  • 19:54

    The official Eurovision bods have provided you with a Giant Scorecard, if you want to make your own judgement on the performances this evening. Check out the pdf here.

  • 19:55

    Fantastic expertise in the live comments, with Rubbergoat who lives nearby. "The venue is a converted shipbuilders yard. It's a nice part of town but it's very out of the way to get to (bus or boat). They've spent about 40 million pounds converting the venue, so I hope it looks good. Other notes: Danish TV has been counting down all day with a MASSIVE build up. Also, the hosts are quite well known on Danish TV."

  • 19:58

    Follow Noelinho from the arena, with his excellent live updates. I'll do my best from the comfort of my sofa, too.

  • 20:01

    Green flagWe're underway!

  • 20:01

    A montage opens the show, recapping all that occurred in Sweden last year, that brings us to Denmark on this very special evening.

  • 20:03

    BBC host Graham Norton heralds the shipyard transformation on the inside of the arena, although reckons the outside still looks like what it originally was.

  • 20:03

    It's called Eurovision Island, though, which is a place I want to live!

  • 20:04

    11,000 the crowd watching on from inside the arena.

  • 20:06

    Much pyrotechnics ongoing as the action begins on stage. Lots of lights flashing, indoor fireworks spinning, and flags waving.

  • 20:06

    TweetTweet from @BBCNewsEnts: I think everyone in the press centre is almost as excited as in the arena. They are flag waving and clapping like crazy in here #Eurovision

  • 20:07

    In a bid to rival the Olympics, the entrants for tonight's competition are all being introduced and taking to the stage. It's a good chance to get a look at what's coming up, but also slightly spoilerific.

  • 20:12

    Pilou Asbæk, Lise Rønne, Nikolaj Koppel. Those are your hosts. I'm glad I'm not pronouncing them.

  • 20:13

    In unison, the three say: "Let the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 begin!"

  • 20:13
    Song 1 - Ukraine
  • 20:14

    The Ukraine entrant Mariya has apparently been in the national version of The Voice. She didn't win it, though.

  • 20:14

    There's a guy in a hamster wheel behind her.

  • 20:16

    It's a bouncy little number but not much of a hook. Meanwhile, Mariya is actually spinning the wheel and making the man run faster. Seems quite cruel to me!

  • 20:18

    This little transitional postcard is showing lots of ice hockey pucks and a zamboni. Love it!

  • 20:18
    Song 2 - Belarus
  • 20:18

    This song is called Cheesecake. Yum.

  • 20:19

    Teo has some epic spiky hair. "I'm no Patrick Swayze," he croons.

  • 20:19

    Smart suits for Teo and his four backing singers. Or are they a group? Hard to tell. They've got some boy band moves, but it's mostly stepping side to side. Nothing too taxing.

  • 20:21

    I think that song ended with some glass smashing. Love it.

  • 20:22
    Song 3 - Azerbaijan
  • 20:22

    Dilara has a long ol' red dress on, and her dancer has opted for a trapeze over a hamster wheel.

  • 20:24

    Azerbaijan, of course, won the competition back in 2011. They came second last year, so have been strong contenders in recent history.

  • 20:24

    This is something of a dramatic ballad, but it doesn't seem to have much to draw you in. Except the trapeze artist who has gone rather high now.

  • 20:26
    Song 4 - Iceland
  • 20:26

    Excellent artist name.

  • 20:26

    They're a band with instruments, each wearing a different brightly coloured suit. We've got pink, blue, red, yellow, purple and orange.

  • 20:27

    This picks up the energy after the last song, and is really catchy. Two of them have epic beards as well.

  • 20:28

    A fact for you, the Iceland group was founded in 2006 by guitarists Haraldur Freyr Gislason and Heidar Orn Kristjansson. Try saying those names a couple of times fast!

  • 20:28

    Pollapönk are having an excellent time on stage too. It's joyous and infectious.

  • 20:30

    I just realised the actual artists are doing the interstitial postcards. That's fabulous.

  • 20:30
    Song 5 - Norway
  • 20:30

    The tempo is brought right down again, with Carl who has a slow number, a pianist, and a very wistful sound to his voice.

  • 20:31

    It's a nice piano, but oof, this is hard going. Some violinists have appeared as well.

  • 20:32

    Not an awful lot to say about that one, sadly.

  • 20:33

    Let's rapidly move on to Romania.

  • 20:33
    Song 6 - Romania
  • 20:34

    Ovi begins the song, already lifting the mood again. "I've got a feeling this is magical," he sings.

  • 20:35

    There was some TV trickery there, as Paula was on one side of the stage and then melted away to the other side. Green screen action. Is that allowed??

  • 20:36

    Paula is very good at the hand gestures to demonstrate the song lyrics. Oh, and there's a key change too.

  • 20:36
    Circular piano at Eurovision

    Ovi has a circular piano. That is way cool. Not sure it's actually functional though.

  • 20:37
    Song 7 - Armenia
  • 20:38

    Armenia up now, this guy has MP3 in his name. If he wasn't born to be in the music business...

  • 20:39

    Aram wears a long coat and shiny boots. He's taken to the stage all by himself, which is brave.

  • 20:39

    QuoteLukeh: "I prefer his rival, Steve AAC."

  • 20:40

    Ooh, it's kicked off now. Huge drum beats appear in the background, with big plumes of flame at the front of the stage. Aram has a bit of the rage about him, too, but settles again to warble "You're not alone."

  • 20:41

    The Montenegro postcard sees a couple of boys doing a jigsaw. But oh no, they've lost a piece. Ah, one of the little boys hid it. Kids, eh?

  • 20:41
    Song 8 - Montenegro
  • 20:42

    We've had hamster wheels and trapeze artists, now we've got roller blading made to look like ice skating!

  • 20:43

    Sergej isn't singing in English, that might be the first one of the night.

  • 20:43

    Noelinho's live updates: Montenegro now. Will likely pick up some Balkan votes - it's the only Balkan entry in the final.

  • 20:45

    Poland's postcard features them in the studio, we're even seeing mixing desks and waveforms on the audio software. This appeals to us geeks, as you can imagine.

  • 20:45
    Song 9 - Poland
  • 20:46

    These are some traditional outfits but the music is slightly less traditional.

  • 20:47

    It's kind of Polish rap/hip-hop. Also, there appear to be some people on stage doing laundry and churning milk. As you do. It's the juxtaposition that's boggling my mind here.

  • 20:48

    The point of this song is "Shake what your mama gave ya" so you probably get the idea.

  • 20:49
    Song 10 - Greece
  • 20:49

    Greece with what is reportedly an upbeat number, with bonus trampolining. All the circus skills are on today.

  • 20:50

    These guys are like the Greek Rizzle Kicks. One sings, one raps, and between them they manage to create something with a good catchy beat.

  • 20:52

    This is, I imagine, the future of Eurovision. Properly bouncy and flag-wavingly good, but also down with the kids.

  • 20:52

    They're on a trampoline AND singing at the same time! That deserves all the points in the world.

  • 20:53
    Song 11 - Austria
  • 20:54

    Conchita, also know as Tom Neuwirth, wears a Shirley Bassey style dress, and has the voice to back it up.

  • 20:57

    Powerful ballad, Conchita was loving it. Lots of fire towards the end, as always.

  • 20:57

    Big cheers from the crowd too, I think that went down well.

  • 20:57
    Song 12 - Germany
  • 20:58

    Germany have Elaiza alongside two other women, one of whom is wielding an accordion. The other has a double bass. Eclectic choice of accompaniment.

  • 20:58

    It's quite a nice tune, though, from Elaiza, with her spike platinum blond hair.

  • 21:01

    Ribbons come falling from the sky, one of them catches the double bass player in the hair. That always happen! When will people learn that falling things from the sky always cause more trouble than they're worth?

  • 21:02

    We're going to the "ad break" now, with Nikolaj instructing us to go on social media and use the hashtag. "And if you don't know what a hashtag is, don't worry about it." Thanks for that!

  • 21:04
    Song 13 - Sweden
  • 21:04

    Sweden next. Sanna is blowing up a lilo or two for her postcard.

  • 21:05

    Sanna's very pretty, in a classy black dress, and the song gets off to a sweet, if slow, start.

  • 21:05

    It's a bit warbly, which is very hard to pull of live, but she's doing okay so far.

  • 21:06

    The power ballad has kicked in and is actually not too bad. The best of the slow songs we've heard so far, perhaps.

  • 21:07

    Sanna also taking to the stage alone. I do think it's brave to face a global audience all by yourself like that.

  • 21:08
    Song 14 - France
  • 21:09

    France! They've barely started and I'm already terrified.

  • 21:09

    How to describe this. There's a man who has a fifties style look with a proper spike of hair. Behind him, two backing dancers flipping around in all directions.

  • 21:10

    He's chanting moustache and stomping back and forth on the stage.

  • 21:10

    I really like it, and I feel bad about myself for it.

  • 21:11

    The lead singer has some horrific turn ups going on. Any time you can see ankles sticking out the bottom of trousers like that, you should really think again.

  • 21:12
    Song 15 - Russia
  • 21:12

    From TWIN TWIN, we've got another set of siblings. Their postcard is confusing as they wonder about a hall of mirrors.

  • 21:13

    It's the Russian entry, so politics intervenes, of course. Nevertheless, the sisters are on stage, starting back to back, with their hair intertwined somehow.

  • 21:13

    They've faced front and they really are connected by their hair. Ooh, a quick jolt apart and they're separated. That was odd.

  • 21:14

    It gets better, though. They started on a level plinth, but now it is see-sawing back and forth. That must be hard to sing through as well. Not quite as hard as trampolining, but still.

  • 21:14

    Oh, and the song? It's alright. Not too slow, not particularly memorable either, but it's okay.

  • 21:15

    The stage has gone very yellow, like sunbeams. It's quite blinding.

  • 21:16
    Song 16 - Italy
  • 21:16

    Emma! That's a marvellously normal name.

  • 21:16

    Really enjoying the postcards, I must say. Each artist creating their flag in a unique way and snapping a picture. Good stuff.

  • 21:17

    Meanwhile, Emma is dressed in white with gold Roman leaves around her head.

  • 21:17

    This is uptempo, a little bit rocky. It's like an Italian version of Blondie, quite like this one too.

  • 21:19

    I'm liking Emma's heavy dark eye make-up, too. She's carrying off this song quite well, it's a bit shouty towards the end.

  • 21:19

    She's crawling along the floor and finishes the song lying down. Exhausted, perhaps!

  • 21:20

    Slovenia's postcard takes place in a library.

  • 21:20
    Song 17 - Slovenia
  • 21:21

    Tinkara has a flute, but I'm not convinced she's actually playing that. She's got a heavy blue evening gown on as she begins.

  • 21:23

    This is one of those screechy songs. It's not too bad, but is missing something that the others have, I think. Ends on a strong note.

  • 21:24
    Song 18 - Finland
  • 21:24

    Finland feature a boy band, and they've made their postcard flag with actual blocks of ice on a big ol' ship's heliport. Impressive.

  • 21:25

    They're a boy band with instruments, which is a good start. It so far sounds... very boybandish.

  • 21:25

    I mean, it's a good sign for them that this could be any of the guitar bands featured in the charts currently. It's good, not special, but creditable.

  • 21:27

    I quite like his silver sparkly suit. Very rock and roll.

  • 21:28
    Song 19 - Spain
  • 21:29

    Ruth Lorenzo is known in the UK if you watch the X Factor, which I don't. She's Spanish but has done theatre in the US and TV in the UK. Very international.

  • 21:29

    She's got a nice evening gown on but also wet hair... presumably to signify the dancing in the rain part.

  • 21:31
    Raining indoors

    Wet hair for the Spanish entry.

  • 21:32

    Switzerland's postcard sees the chap setting up dominos. What an amazing concept!

  • 21:32
    Song 20 - Switzerland
  • 21:32

    The song begins with whistling. Not sure how I feel about that.

  • 21:34

    He's an attractive chap, this Sebalter, if you ignore the earring and the whistling. The song is good, a little heavy on the banjo and the poor guy in the back with the tambourine looks like he wishes he was doing more.

  • 21:34

    Ooh, a clapping section. Clap, clap, clap.

  • 21:35

    That's verging on audience interaction there.

  • 21:35
    Song 21 - Hungary
  • 21:36

    András is busy trying to do a Rubik's cube in his postcard. Hey, he did it! I don't believe it. I read a book of instructions and still couldn't do it.

  • 21:36

    QuoteRyan: "Next up is Hungary, and if you were in a cheerful mood before this... that is not going to last."

  • 21:37

    We have a dramatic start with pianist, and András himself is sitting on a chair, having a rest.

  • 21:37

    Oh no, he ditched the chair and ran out on the stage wing into the audience.

  • 21:38

    The pianist has disappeared (run away?) and now some dancers are dramatically illustrating the song. It's pretty depressing.

  • 21:40
    Song 22 - Malta
  • 21:40

    Malta next, a band, and there an awful lot of instruments on stage.

  • 21:41

    This could be Mumford & Sons, if you close your eyes. We've got guitars, a small drum kit, an upright piano and a double bass.

  • 21:41

    The lead singer pulled what I thought would be a guitar from behind his back but it turns out to be an elongated non-guitar instrument of some kind.

  • 21:42

    Noelinho's live text: On to a more folky song now - Malta. It will probably stuggle given the songs that follow, though.

  • 21:43
    Song 23 - Denmark
  • 21:44

    Home entry now, Denmark. The crowd will go wild. For their postcard, they're painting random furniture red and white.

  • 21:44

    Basim begins with a bit of do-be-do-wap, it's so Bruno Mars it hurts!

  • 21:45

    The audience are all singing along. Also, there's a guy in the backing group that has an incredible afro.

  • 21:46

    This is really very good, catchy and scoobydowop and all that. Great voice on this chap, too, and of course he has the audience on side.

  • 21:47

    A big banner unfolds behind him with a heart and the word Love on. Bless.

  • 21:48
    Banner at Eurovision
  • 21:48
    Song 24 - Netherlands
  • 21:49

    The Netherlands had their postcard filled with tulips. Hmm. Meanwhiel, the song begins and it's got some odd harmony between the two leads going on.

  • 21:49

    It's very country.

  • 21:50

    The woman looks like Robin Wright in Forrest Gump, singing the country songs. It's very mellow.

  • 21:50

    Guitar solo now, too.

  • 21:51

    I like their microphone stand is just one stand that splits off in the two opposite directions for each singer.

  • 21:51

    Another song that is far too credible (as country) for the Eurovision.

  • 21:52
    Song 25 - San Marino
  • 21:52

    This postcard is a bit of a cheat, as she's just painting a picture of the flag. But the San Marino one is a tricky one to emulate any other way, I'd think!

  • 21:52

    Grand piano is on.

  • 21:53

    There's a lot of floaty material for this slow ballad, and dry ice is flooding the stage again.

  • 21:54

    Valentina has a good Eurovision-style voice, but these ballads just don't seem to hit the right spot for the competition these days.

  • 21:55

    There's a whispery spoken bit in the middle eight of this song.

  • 21:56
    Song 26 - United Kingdom
  • 21:56

    It's us! And this postcard involves London buses. As you do.

  • 21:57

    More dry ice. Big drums, and Molly stands in her gold dress.

  • 21:58

    When they revealed Molly and her song way back when, I wasn't sure. In context, it's very Eurovision.

  • 21:59

    Huge falling flame drops to finish the song and the competition.

  • 22:00

    Chequered flagThat's all the entrants, now it's just a matter of voting! Who are you going for?

  • 22:02

    The hosts are thanking the commentators, particularly our Graham Norton! How weird. Perhaps we are the most sarcastic of the bunch?

  • 22:03

    They did a burst of confetti in Norton's commentary box to thank him. "It's gone in my wine," he says.

  • 22:03
    Children of the Universe

    Our Molly.

  • 22:06

    Massive table coming up.

  • 22:06
    Vote
    Number to call: 09015 22 52 ??
    (calls cost 15p from a landline, mobile costs may vary)
    Ukraine01
    Belarus02
    Azerbaijan03
    Iceland04
    Norway05
    Romania06
    Armenia07
    Montenegro08
    Poland09
    Greece10
    Austria11
    Germany12
    Sweden13
    France14
    Russia15
    Italy16
    Slovenia17
    Finland18
    Spain19
    Switzerland20
    Hungary21
    Malta22
    Denmark23
    Netherlands24
    San Marino25
    United Kingdom26
  • 22:06

    From mobiles, you can call 6 22 52 and then the number of your choice, too.

  • 22:06

    If you're in the UK, or any of the corresponding countries, you can't vote for your own.

  • 22:11

    Half time act now!

  • 22:11

    Some people with a ladder.

  • 22:12

    One of them has climbed the ladder and sings Ode to Joy.

  • 22:14

    Others have joined on other ladders. There's no other way of explaining it.

  • 22:16

    The hosts are doing a bit now. Pre-recorded though, which I'm sure is cheating. Riverdance weren't pre-recorded, were they?

  • 22:18

    I didn't really get that, so it's hard to pass on what was going on there. It's ended, thankfully. Now we have Lise talking to the winner of the Junior Eurovision contest last year. Anyone else not aware of a junior competition?

  • 22:20

    Another montage recap through the order, in case you haven't decided who to vote for yet.

  • 22:26

    "Europe, are you ready for the countdown?"

  • 22:27

    The lines are closed, the voting is over. The winner is actually decided, as soon as they do all the totting up.

  • 22:29

    The entertainment now turns to a tour of the Eurovision museum in Copenhagen. It's actually quite amusing. Actual Johnny Logan.

  • 22:30

    Gina G! Amazing.

  • 22:33

    Lise is making her way through the "green room" which is actually in the middle of the crowd this year.

  • 22:33

    She's making some of the artists feel at home. Malta got some sausages. Britain's Molly has a cake from her local baker.

  • 22:34

    Lise has an awful lot of facts about Molly, including her grandmother's name and the status of her driving licence. I'm a bit scared actually.

  • 22:34
    Molly's cake

    CAKE!

  • 22:35

    Graham Norton handily points out: "By the way, 180 million people are watching this."

  • 22:36

    Last year's winner Emmelie de Forest returns to play her successful song, Teardrops.

  • 22:38

    She moves on to a new/different song, Rainmaker.

  • 22:39

    There's actual water there, with dancers diving in and out for a bit of a swim!

  • 22:40

    All the artists are returning to the stage to clap along with the song. They're very active this year, the entries. Never seen quite so much of them before!

  • 22:42

    Graham Norton gives us a great fact, that's the first time in Eurovision history that all the artists have performed on stage together. Performed would be pushing it, I think, but still a cool concept!

  • 22:43

    And now the voting!

  • 22:45

    1 of 37. Azerbaijan votes first. Bright red dress on our host here, she says hello to everyone.

  • 22:45

    8 points to Hungary, 10 to Ukraine, and the full 12 points goes to Russia! That's getting some booing in the crowd.

  • 22:46

    2 of 37. Greece. Nice lady standing in front of a fountain. Or a green screen of a fountain, anyway.

  • 22:46

    8 points to Netherlands, 10 points to Russia and the 12 points to Austria - Conchita's Rise Like a Phoenix.

  • 22:47

    3 of 37. I just noticed a progress bar next to the countries voting, that's fab. We're on to Poland.

  • 22:47

    12 points from Poland go to the Netherlands, which was the epic country song.

  • 22:48

    4 of 37. Albania. A chap with a baseball cap on. Make the effort Albania!

  • 22:48

    No points to the United Kingdom yet. 8 points from Albania to Hungary, 10 to Italy and 12 to Spain, X Factor's Ruth Lorenzo with the wet hair.

  • 22:49

    5 of 37. San Marino, and our first points for the United Kingdom. Five from San Marino.

  • 22:49

    This is a young guy, reading his points off a card to make sure he gets it right. 8 points to Iceland, 10 points to Sweden and the full 12 to Azerbaijan.

  • 22:49

    6 of 37. Denmark, and another points haul for the UK. Seven points for Molly.

  • 22:50

    8 points to Austria (Conchita), 10 points to Netherlands (country) and 12 points to Sweden (blonde ballad).

  • 22:51

    7 of 37. Montenegro. Another fountain! "We are so proud to see Montenegro in the final."

  • 22:51

    8 points to Slovenia, 10 points to Armenia and the top points haul goes to Hungary! They are trading the lead positions with Sweden at the moment.

  • 22:52

    8 of 37. Romania praise the show, calling it a "miracle" because that was their song entry.

  • 22:52

    8 points to Austria, 10 points to Hungary, and 12 to Sweden. Hungary still lead.

  • 22:53

    9 of 37. Russia. They've given seven points to the Ukraine.

  • 22:53

    8 points to Armenia, 10 points to Azerbaijan and 12 points to Belarus - that's the cheesecake song. A lot of booing there, feel sorry for that poor points lady.

  • 22:54

    10 of 37. The Netherlands. A very boy band chap is giving out the points.

  • 22:54

    8 points to Sweden, 10 points to Norway, and 12 points to Austria and Conchita.

  • 22:54

    I'm not saying I voted for France, but it's disappointing they're on nil points at the moment.

  • 22:55

    11 of 37. Malta, fabulous red hair from Vanessa. Four points for the UK.

  • 22:55

    8 points to Romania (circular piano), 10 points to Austria (Conchita) and 12 points to Italy (rock and roll Emma)!

  • 22:56

    12 of 37. France and our French points giver has a leather jacket on. Scary.

  • 22:56

    10 points go to Austria which puts Conchita in the lead! 12 points to Armenia which doesn't.

  • 22:57

    13 of 37. Scott Mills in a white suit. Big Ben in the background.

  • 22:57

    8 points to the Netherlands, 10 points to Malta and our full 12 goes to Austria.

  • 22:58

    14 of 37. Latvia's points giver has a massive, humungous football shirt on.

  • 22:58

    A good points haul to Austria to keep them in the lead. Latvia's 12 points go to the Netherlands, country singing very popular this year!

  • 22:59

    15 of 37. Armenia hand eight points to Belarus (cheesecake), ten points to Russia (boos), and twelve points to Montenegro.

  • 23:00

    16 of 37. A very serious chap in a suit hands out the points for Iceland, with 4 going to the UK.

  • 23:00

    8 points to Denmark, 10 points to Austria, and the full 12 to The Netherlands.

  • 23:01

    17 of 37. FYR Macedonia. This guy has awful white glasses on, to go with his tie-less suit.

  • 23:01

    France still have zero points.

  • 23:01

    Austria get three points, breaking them through the 100 mark.

  • 23:02

    12 points to Montenegro, which has no impact on the top of the tables.

  • 23:02

    18 of 37. A band are giving out the scores for Sweden. FRANCE GOT A POINT!

  • 23:02

    12 points go to Austria, giving Conchita a 17 point lead at this stage in proceedings.

  • 23:03

    19 of 37. Belarus' points giver has a ring of flowers in her hair.

  • 23:03

    Their 10 points go to Armenia which puts them up second. The full 12 points goes to Russia.

  • 23:04

    20 of 37. Germany, and we have a super sparkly dress. The presenter is in front of a live crowd too, a proper Eurovision party.

  • 23:05

    12 points to the Netherlands moving them up to second.

  • 23:06
    Top three
    1Austria123
    2The Netherlands113
    3Armenia107
  • 23:08

    Not getting the love for Armenia, but the other two make perfect sense.

  • 23:09

    21 of 37. Israel, an older man with a bow tie gives us the points.

  • 23:09

    No countries have nil points now by the way, so we can all sleep happy this evening.

  • 23:10

    12 points from Israel go to Austria. Conchita is in tears.

  • 23:10

    22 of 37. Portugal give 8 points to Sweden, 10 points to The Netherlands, and 12 points to Austria. Stretching out the lead now.

  • 23:11

    23 of 37. Norway's representative has a blue dress with pointy shoulders and what looks like fish scales all over. Three points to the UK though, so she can wear what she likes.

  • 23:12

    8 points to Sweden, 10 points to Austria and the 12 points to The Netherlands. Country singers waving flags.

  • 23:12

    24 of 37. Estonia, a sharp man with a terrible shirt but a tidy goatee.

  • 23:12

    8 points from Estonia to Ukraine, 10 points to Sweden and 12 points to The Netherlands.

  • 23:13

    25 of 37. Hungary's representative from Budapest has a nice green dress. 8 points go to Sweden, 10 points to Austria and 12 points to The Netherlands.

  • 23:14

    The gap is now 12 points between Austria in the lead and the Netherlands in second.

  • 23:14

    26 of 37. Moldova give their 8 points to Russia, 10 points to Ukraine and 12 points to Romania.

  • 23:15

    27 of 37. Ireland. Nicky from Westlife gives out the points. 8 points to the UK! Always loved Ireland.

  • 23:15

    10 points to The Netherlands, and 12 points to Austria.

  • 23:16

    28 of 37. Finland. This guy is rapping. I am scared. He's also got a waistcoat and a baseball cap on. It's a look.

  • 23:16

    8 points to The Netherlands, 10 points to Sweden, and again it's 12 to Austria.

  • 23:17

    29 of 37. Lithuania. A fountain! 12 points go to The Netherlands. They gave 8 points to Austria but also referenced shaving, which isn't so cool.

  • 23:18

    30 of 37. Austria's presenter has an epic fake beard.

  • 23:18

    8 points to Romania, 10 points to The Netherlands and 12 points to Armenia. They couldn't vote for themselves of course, but Austria are still in the lead.

  • 23:19
    Vienna's beard!
  • 23:19

    31 of 37. Spain. A strikingly bright red dress here, and another fountain. "Lots of kisses to the millions of Eurofans."

  • 23:19

    Spain gave us five points, that's good. 8 points to Romania. 10 points to Sweden. 12 points to Austria!

  • 23:20

    32 of 37. One point to the UK. A very serious looking lady with a nice smile. 8 points to The Netherlands. 10 points to Sweden. No prizes for guessing where the 12 points go to. Conchita looks totally flabbergasted by all the love.

  • 23:21

    33 of 37. Italy, chap in a really sharp shirt, cool as anything, arms folded as if this happens every day.

  • 23:21

    8 points to Poland. 10 points to Ukraine. 12 points to Austria. Random voting until the final haul.

  • 23:22

    34 of 37. Ukraine. 8 points to Austria. 10 points to Armenia. The 12 points go to Sweden.

  • 23:23

    The maths has been calculated and Austria have been confirmed the winners of the Eurovision song contest, with three more points still to be confirmed.

  • 23:24

    35 of 37. Rather bright blue and orange outfit from the Switzerland presenter. 8 points go to Spain, 10 points to The Netherlands and 12 to Austria.

  • 23:24

    36 of 37. Georgia have a male and female duo presenting their points. Three go to the UK. At some point France picked up another to sit last, on two.

  • 23:25

    8 points to Russia, 10 to Austria and 12 points to Armenia.

  • 23:26

    37 of 37. Last votes in from Slovenia. 8 points to Sweden. 10 to The Netherlands. And 12, of course, to Austria.

  • 23:27
    Final results
    1Austria290
    2The Netherlands238
    3Sweden218
    4Armenia174
    5Hungary143
  • 23:28

    Conchita is arriving back on the stage, clinging quite strongly to her companions hands. Very emotional is the only way to describe it. Emmelie de Forest hands over the trophy.

  • 23:28

    QuoteEurovision winner, Conchita: "This night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. We know who we are, we are a unity, and we are unstoppable."

  • 23:30

    "Good night Europe" our hosts say in unison, and Conchita takes to the stage to re-sing her song.

  • 23:30
    The winner, Eurovision 2014
  • 23:34

    And that's it. Rise Like a Phoenix played out the show, and Conchita thanks the crowds over and over as the flags wave and the credits roll.

  • 23:35

    An unpredictable show, I think. Some great songs, less weird entries than normal, and what felt like a bit of a transition for the contest - actually good music!

  • 23:38

    Thanks for joining me, it's been a fab night of entertainment. Here's to next year, and to Austria!




The 59th Eurovision Song Contest is one of the more open events of recent years, with a number of countries in the running. Early favourites Armenia have been replaced by Sweden in recent days, but the Netherlands have stormed from rank outsiders to second favourites. Austria's entry is a Eurovision first (watch to find out why!) and the UK go last with one of its best entries in many years. It should be close, and unlike the last two years, no one is very sure who will win!

Event start

20:00GMT +01:00

10 May 2014