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Eurovision acts take centre stage Russia scoops Eurovision victory
(about 1 hour later)
Twenty-five acts ranging from pop stars and rock bands to pensioners and pirates have performed at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade. Russian singer Dima Bilan has won this year's Eurovision Song Contest in the Serbian capital Belgrade.
Talent show runner-up Andy Abraham represented the UK in front of 20,000 fans with his song Even If. Bilan's heartfelt ballad Believe, produced by US R&B star Timbaland, gave Russia its first ever Eurovision win.
The other entrants included Latvian pirates, a Finnish heavy rock group and a 75-year-old Croatian rapper. Ukraine's Ani Lorak came second, followed by Greece with upbeat pop song Secret Combination by Kalomira.
The favourites include Russia's Dima Bilan, whose song was produced by US R&B star Timbaland. But British talent show runner-up Andy Abraham came joint last with his song Even If, gaining just 14 points, the same as Germany and Poland.
Swedish singer Charlotte Perrelli, who won the event in 1999, is another hot tip and could become the first female singer to win the title twice. Before the voting, Terry Wogan, who is commentating for the BBC, said Abraham was "our best entry for years", adding: "He deserves to do well with that."
Lots of UK people dancing but I'm afraid to say he failed to make the arena rise to its feet The BBC's Fiona Pryor in Belgrade class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/7403356.stm">Read commentary from the crowd Sweden was picked as the winner in a Europe-wide BBC poll before the event. British talent show finalist Andy Abraham sang his entry Even IfBut the former X Factor contestant only received points from San Marino - who took part for the first time - and Ireland.
One Eurovision fan from each of the 43 countries in the contest at the start of the week chose their top 10 songs. Dimar Bilan won with a stage show that included Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko performing on a small ice circle.
Sweden were followed by Ukraine, Switzerland, Serbia and Russia. The other entrants included Latvian pirates, a Finnish heavy rock group, a 75-year-old Croatian rapper and French dance musician Sebastian Tellier, who has worked with Daft Punk and Air.
In the vote, Abraham was placed 33rd in a field of 43 songs. Swedish singer Charlotte Perrelli, who won the event in 1999, was another hot tip and was picked as the winner in a Europe-wide BBC poll before the event.
Terry Wogan, who is commentating for the BBC, said Abraham was "our best entry for years", adding: "He deserves to do well with that." But she failed to become the first female singer to win the contest twice.
Latvia was represented by the Pirates Of The SeaAbraham will hope to do better than last year's British entrants, Scooch, who came 22nd out of 24 with their song Flying The Flag. The show was opened in front of 20,000 fans at the Belgrade Arena by last year's winner Marija Serifovic.
The other acts included respected French dance musician Sebastian Tellier, who has worked with Daft Punk and Air.
The show was opened at the Belgrade Arena by last year's winner Marija Serifovic.
The 20 countries that came through the semi-finals joined hosts Serbia plus the UK, France, Germany and Spain - the contest's four biggest backers.The 20 countries that came through the semi-finals joined hosts Serbia plus the UK, France, Germany and Spain - the contest's four biggest backers.