Spain chose Soraya, which admittedly was the best of the bunch. She's just another pop diva though, without the appeal and personality that Ani Lorak had when she sang for the Ukraine last year. But I'm sure it will do rather well.

Portugal chose Flor De Lys, which again was the best pick on the night. But the song is rather dull, somewhat folkish without being memorable.

And Croatia and Latvia also decided last night. Not a possible winner amongst them.

Sweden will be next to choose - their final is later this week.

Czech Republic are deciding between 2 songs now by Supergipsy. Both are too hardcore rap for Eurovision.

I think Bosnia and Slovenia might be deciding next weekend. Plus Israel is choosing its song (out of 4 possible). And then Russia, Ukraine and finally Belgium and Azerbaijan will release their full entries.

For f*cks sake Spain, what are you doing?

They decided to fast track the Eurovision choice process by having the 3rd semi and the 2nd chance show on the same night, then decided to scrap the 2nd chance process and have the final on the same night... its now 1am in Spain and they are only up to the 3rd song out of 12 songs in the final.

Oh, and now theres technical problems! The stage has broken under the weight of a prop...
Just send someone!

I hope to god Spain never win Eurovision if this is the crap show they put on.

And Portugal isn't much better. 20 juries? 1am... still voting...
Flor De Lys has obviously won, so announce it, have them perform and finish already!

Ahh, the joys of webcasting mean I can see how bad acts/shows really are. Even Georgia had a better show than this.

I am aware that the actual Eurovision is just as long and drawn out, but its at least entertaining.

Did you all know that the show won't be starting in Moscow until 11pm at night? Its so its broadcast in central Europe during prime time. Means I won't probably leave the arena until 3am in the morning. And then we'll probably go to the afterparty. And then I have to leave my apartment by 10am the same day, and wander around until my overnight train to St Petersburg. Gonna be a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooong two days.

Latvias entry = rock song in Latvian. The guy doesn't blink, just shouts. Bloody awful. Someone compared it to Laka from Bosnia last year. Laka was at least entertaining and catchy.

Croatias entry = male Croatian ballad. Its a yawn fest.

Spain and Portugal are being decided as I type.

Norway is leading the online betting in the UK - 5/2 odds. Good taste!
Greece, Russia, Turkey and Malta follow.

We are getting down to the final countries/songs being decided, and I think its almost safe to say that Norway is the best this year. Obviously Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine could produce something brilliant in the actual show and change my thoughts, but Norway will be the one to beat.

I don't agree with the odds on Iceland - 40/1 (and 100/1 on another website). I think thats an amazing outside bet. Finland is 66/1.
Even Cyprus is getting closer odds and it sucks.

Finlands entry has grown on me for Eurovision. The presentation is really entertaining. Have to agree with some of the fans that say its reminicient of 'Freestyler', and that was a grower too. So, I'm now thinking -

1. Norway
2. Finland
3. Greece
4. Turkey
5. Iceland

Azerbaijan is still a good chance.
I don't know what Russia is going to present yet, but I imagine it will be good.
Spain is a possibility...

I'd say Ukraine is out based on the finalists they have shown.
I haven't heard anything from Sweden that has impressed me.
Israels 4 possible songs are sweet but not memorable.
Really can't imagine Estonia, Latvia, Portugal or Serbia coming up with anything that make me totally change my mind.

I know how to pick 'em!
Norways Eurovision entry has received more comments than any other entry so far tenfold. Everyone is saying winner already. Alexander Rybak had to release a press statement thanking for everyones praise of 'Fairytale' but reminding us that the decision is still 11 weeks away and a lot can change.

Unless Ukraine or Russia pulls another great entry out of the bag, I think we do have a winner. Judging by the previews online, I don't see Spain or Sweden matching the talent.

Last year EVERYONE knew 6 months before that Russia would win. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy. I however picked Ukraine to come close, and they did - they came 2nd when no-one else thought they would. Everyone was tipping Armenia instead.

I'm saying top 10 -
Norway
maybe Ukraine
Azerbaijan
maybe Russia
Turkey
Iceland
Greece
Malta
UK
Finland

Some people are thinking it could be the year of the Scandis - Norway, Iceland, Finland - maybe Sweden depending on what they pick - then Denmark. What a top 5! It what certainly f*ck up all those who think only Eastern Europe can win.

I'm not denying there is a definite bloc voting going on that influences results, but I think its overstated. If you put forward a great song and do a fantastic performance, you'll get votes no matter what country you are.

Ohmigod! I love the Norwegian entry for Eurovision this year!

Its called 'Fairytales' by Alexander Rybak. It has a Russian folk-pop feel. It feels like a winner. And I think the performance is rather special already - by the time it gets to Moscow it will be brilliant.

I'm not alone in calling this a possible winner.

wooooo! Very exciting! I've never been to Norway... hmmm... 2010...

And in other (but could be slightly related) news, I'm starting to think about doing a Cultural Studies postgrad. They are offering it at Sydney Uni and it has a lot of subjects on human rights that I'm very keen to do, but also international relations, international crime, film, politics.

Whilst possibly very silly, was thinking about a thesis topic...
The role Eurovision plays in diplomatic relations and politics (and vice versa).

Yes, it does sound silly, but let me explain -
Eurovision was set up in the 50s as a way of building bonds again between countries in Europe following WWII.
Moving forwards 40 years, you have the Iron Curtain falling, and Eastern Europe joins Eurovision. The last 10 years we've seen a shift in voting power towards the East, which has caused tension with the Western European countries because of diaspora voting. Many countries that previously part of the USSR are now voting for Russia ('bloc' voting).
On the flipside, last year Baltic countries called for boycotts of Russia Eurovision based on the recent conflicts in Georgia, the gas dispute with the Ukraine.
But then, Georgias first 'forgivness' gesture back to Russia was actually announcing it would participate in Moscow this year. This came after Russia awarded 12 points to Georgia at the Junior Eurovision...
We've also seen the increase of political statements in Eurovision. Ukraine with its Orange Revolution hosted Eurovision. Israeli entries waving the Palestian flag in 2003. Israel now sending a Jew and Arab to sing a duet together. Georgia sending 'We Don't Wanna Put-In', etc.

I think its a facinating topic to explore. An even more relevant one for closer to home when you consider that Asiavision is starting up. Will Australia have a role in this? Is there opportunity to use it as a diplomatic event?

I've just spent the last 2 hours watching a webcast of the Irish Eurovision finals. Well done Ireland for actually picking the best song on the night! hurrah! They picked 'Et Cetera' which is sung by pop-punk girly band, much in the vein of Avril Lavigne or Pink. Its really very catchy and I think will actually allow Ireland to make it to the finals for the first time in years. Even better is that it was written by two people I'm familiar with in the Eurovision fanworld - Jonas and Christina Schilling who are fan club members in Denmark and Sweden. I read a lot of their blogs last year. So double hurrah to them!

So Eurovision is really heating up and I'm very excited. It's 11 weeks today till I'll be watching the finals in Moscow. arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Yes I have paid for everything now, but I'm rather stressed that my savings account (and hence spending money) say $0. That obviously will change significantly in the next month once I get my bond back, my annual leave payout, my handout money from the govt. $3800 all up just from that alone.

Now, the latest entries to comment on...

Ireland - Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy 'Et Cetera' - catchy pop number in the vein of Avril, Pink and High School Musical. Energetic band, colourful presentation, quite 80s. Will propel Ireland to the finals, but who knows how far it will get them?

Greece - Sakis 'This is our night' - ok, another great dancey catchy song sung by a Ricky Martin wannabe. It stuck in my head most of yesterday which I guess is a good sign. It's not really my thing normally, but I know it will do really well at Eurovision - talking top 5 here. I really wish he'd stop thrusting. I'm thinking Enrique Iglesias.

Georgia - Stephane and 3G 'We don't wanna put in' - Ouch! 70s disco beat and girls with afros. It is catchy but its also controversial. Lyrics about 'shoot him' in the chorus which are thinly veiled comments towards Putin. I expect some booing at Eurovision for this. Yes, its warranted. If they want to make a political statement it was made better last year with the Georgian entry 'Peace will come'.

Belgium - Patrick Ouchene 'Copycat' - I haven't heard it yet, but its a tribute song to Elvis Presley sung by an Elvis impersonator. Yeah, ummm, say no more. Our first novelty song for Eurovision 2009! Thanks Belgium for not letting the side down - you deliver hilarity year after year.

France - Patricia Kaas 'Et s'il fallait le faire' - Its cabaret at its finest, and the music sounds like a jewellery box. I'm betting it would have won back in the 60s, but I don't know whether it really works now. In fact, its sending me to sleep.

Germany - Alex Swings Oscar Sings 'Miss Kiss Kiss Bang' - what strikes me most is this sounds like Sam Sparrow. It has that swinging dance beat behind it and should be entertaining on the night.

Armenia - Inga and Anush Arshakyan 'Nor par (new dance)' - I don't like this because it changes sounds and tempo 4 times in the space of the first 30 secs. At first it starts like the last years entry Qele, then it sounds turkish, then the dance beat kicks in and disappears just as suddenly and goes r'n'b. And now it sounds like its Indian and rap. Too confusing.

Iceland - Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir 'Is it true' - great song, slightly uptempo ballad, great singer, and I believe its a dark horse in the race. Would go so far to say its this years 'Hold on be strong' (last years entry from Norway that came 5th) that came from nowhere and blew people away.

Malta - Chiara 'What if we' - here's an artist who has been at Eurovision 3 times now, has a following and has been 2nd and 3rd before. But in comparison this song is dull. Its well done but sounds more like it be in a musical on the West End.

Andorra - Susanna Georgi 'La teva decisió (Get a Life)' - its Michelle Branch in the verse with the guitar and then very keyboard ABBA in the chorus. She acts about 18 and looks about 40. Apart from that desperation I think this will rank highly cause its catchy. And its curently ranking as a fave on the fan sites

Azerbaijan - Aysel and Arash 'Always' - its now been announced the country will have a upbeat r'n'b duet between the very cute pop starlet and the author of the song. Only a snippet has been heard online but from that its obviously she can sing and dance and is the full package. I still think Azerbaijan are ones to watch.

Cyprus - Christina Metexa 'Firefly' - she's 16, her brother won the Cypriot Idol 2 years ago. Its an ambitious and sweet ballad written by the brother but done badly. She can't reach the notes and her voice is more a whisper in parts. Would have been better for junior eurovision.

Lithuania - Sasha Son 'Pasiklydes zmogus' - beautiful male pianist delivers a strong ballad. Well delivered and well sung, but can be a bit dull to listen to. Would help if it was in English so I know what the song is about.

Moldova - Nelly Ciobanu 'Hora din Moldova' - this is the most obviously balkan ethnic song I've heard so far in the competition. It sounds like every other ethnic entry given by the likes of Slovenia, FYR Macedonia, etc in the past few years. They usually do well in the semis and flunk out in the finals. Nothing too special.

Netherlands - De Toppers 'Shine' - ohmigod! I'm singing along to this! Its the most cliched Eurovision entry I've heard in years with the 90s beat and the coda... it sounds like 'No Goodbyes' by a Netherlands entry a few years back. Its got me dancing now. So dodgy but it will make people happy.

Poland - Lidia Kopania 'I don't wanna leave' - a typical Polish ballad staple. But when I listen to it I have to admit its the first time I've heard a Eurovision ballad from Central and Eastern Europe where the language is perfect English rather than broken or terribly translated. I could actually imagine this being sung by Delta Goodrem. Really good actually - the kind of stuff that would make it in the top 40 charts too.

Slovenia - Quartissimo 'Love Symphony' - strings accompany rock music, but not much singing happening. The presentation is just wonderful but it is starting to sound like 'Hooked on Classics'...

So with these countries now decided, UK, Montenegro, Denmark, Finland, Romania, Turkey, Belarus and Albania also having decided their songs (as previously commented), and Czech Republic, Israel, Switzerland and Bosnia decided their artists, I'm gonna give some top predictions (so far) -

Azerbaijan
Greece
Turkey
Iceland

And maybe - UK, Ireland, Poland, Malta and Andorra as outsiders in the finals.

I think we need to keep an eye out for Russia, Sweden and Ukraine even though they haven't decided. I see those countries as big chances of winning no matter what.