Finnish band rock Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest was rocked by political voting and a shock win by Finnish heavy metal band Lordi, last night.
The group, donned in monster masks and chains, won the fifty-first Eurovision Song Contest in Athens beating 24 other countries with 292 points after their controversial entry, Hard Rock Hallelujah.
Critics slammed political voting as none of the big four countries made the top ten and Eastern European, Balkan, Baltic and Scandinavian countries all voted for their neighbours.
Daz Sampson’s United Kingdom entry, Teenage Life, only managed nineteenth place, Germany’s country style performance came fifteenth, and Spain and France came twenty-first and twenty-second consecutively.
Over 18,000 fans watched the contest, usually known for cheesy pop and camp performances.
Some cheesiness was saved by runners up, Russia with Dima Bilan’s Never Let You Go, which featured a half man half piano act.
Russia was followed in the rankings with 248 by Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania, with anti gay singer, Carola placing fifth for Sweden.
Lithuania’s rather modest entry, We Are The Winners, was met with some boos from the crowd, but also helped generate a feel good factor in the Olympic arena and came sixth.
Ukraine, Armenia and the hosts, Greece, came next and Brian Kennedy’s ballad for Ireland, Every Song Is A Cry For Love, made it 10.
Next year’s contest will now be held in Finland thanks to Lordi’s win.
Lead singer, Lordi said: “We are a rock band and we just won Eurovision – that’s weird.
“This was a victory for rock music and also a victory for open-mindedness.
“This is proof that from now on there will be more rock bands who will have the courage to join in.
“This is proof that there are rock fans who watch Eurovision.”
