Credits
Written by
Published
Source(s)
News
Something interest aspects of this year’s results
Eurovision 2006: stats, tidbits and fast facts
For the record books
Finland is patient, if not persistent. Having first entered the Contest in 1961 they waited 45 year for their first win. That easily eclipsed the 30 year wait for Belgium’s first win (1956-1986) with Sandra Kim’s J’aime la vie. Portugal would have to win their first in 2010 or thereafter to break Finland’s record. Interestingly 2006 is the first time Finland’s made the top 5: Marion Rung’s 6th place with Tom, tom, tom (1973) was their previous best result. Onnitella Suomi!
Mr. Lordi is the first male vocalist-led act to win since Tanel Padar Dave Benton & 2XL won with Everybody in 2001. In fact, Lordi is only the fifth band to win. ABBA (1974), Teach-In (1975), Riva (1989) and Katrina and the Waves (1997) were the previous bands that won the contest. Neither Lordi nor Katrina and the Waves played their instruments live during the broadcast, however.
Lordi’s score of 292 represents 66% of the possible points available from 38 countries, a new record for total score. Ruslana’s 2004 reaped 280 points from 37 countries; it’s arguable these two wins are similar, if not identical. Finland received douze pointsfrom 8 countries (Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the UK), and lots of 10s (6, from Albania, Croatia, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania & Spain) and 8s (also 6, from Belgium, France, Latvia, Russia, Slovenia & Switzerland). Only Albania, Monaco and Armenia gave Finland null points. It’s clear Hard rock hallelujah received strong support from throughout Europe.
Regional voting patterns: Yes and No
There are often allegations of regionalism skewing results in the Contest. This year Finland has shown how countries without any “voting friends” can win—and win handily. But the next three songs in the final tally all have something of a reputation for benefiting from voting blocs..
Russia scored 248 points, which would have been enough to beat Greece last year! Never let you go's score included 7 douze points (Belarus, Finland, Isräel, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine & Armenia), four 10s (Estonia, Poland, Bulgaria & Moldova) and four 8s (Cyprus, FYR Macedonia, Greece, & Romania). If you look on a map you’ll see that Russia had most of its high-end support from former Soviet republics. Among the seven former Soviet Union members, none gave Russia less than 10 points. But Russia did well across Europe, having received points from all but two countries: Monaco and Switzerland.
Bosnia & Herzegovina’s 229 points included more douze points than Russia (8, from Albania, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Monaco, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland & Turkey), three 10s (Finland, Sweden & Ukraine), and three 8s (Denmark, the Netherlands & Norway). In fact all of the former Yugoslav republics gave their top marks to Lejla. In terms of scoring in general, Bosnia & Herzegovina garnered support from all but five countries: Andorra, Estonia, Latvia, Malta and the UK.
Romania’s 172 points included douze points from Moldova and Spain. Additionally Tornero received four 10s (from Cyprus, Isräel, Malta & Portugal), but no 8s. But Romania did receive points from every country except Monaco and the Netherlands. Among its immediate neighbours, Ukraine gave them 1 point, Bulgaria 2, and Serbia & Montenegro 4 (in addition to Moldova’s 12). Romania clearly achieved their strong result without the aid of any voting bloc.
Sweden received 170 points for 4th place, but no douze points! However Invincible received three 10s (Albania, Denmark & Norway) and only two 8s (Andorra & Portugal). Looking at how its Scandinavian neighbours treated them,Sweden has good friends: 7 each from Finland and Iceland, in addition to 10 each from Denmark and Norway. But Sweden received nine 5s or 6s—and many lower values from across Europe. Six countries gave Sweden null points: Cyprus, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Overall
Ironically, Finland has often supported its fellow Scandinavian countries, only to be ignored by them when comes receiving votes. This year Finland scored very well across Scandinavian, receiving douze points from Sweden, Iceland, Norway and Denmark—a clean sweep! But this is so unprecedented no one could reasonably attribute Finland’s triumph to any sort of voting bloc.
Of the other top five finishers, all but Romania benefited from having strong support from friends and allies. All of them, however, also received votes from every corner of Europe. No country can win the Eurovision Song Contest without garnering support beyond its neighbours and friends.
Finland’s win is one for the record books. It shows that smaller countries can win the Contest—win handily—with a great song and performance. And as our first true rock-and-roll Eurovision Song Contest champions, Lordi have demonstrated that all great music is welcome.
Related polls
Go directly to the reactions
Reactions
When reacting to a news item, please stick to the topic. Inappropriate messages (swearing, racism, hate, etc.), messages in other languages than English and spam (which includes URL advertising) will be deleted and you risk your account being removed. Reacting on newsitems is only possible when logged in as a member. Still don't have member account?
Click here to react Click here to become a member (free!)
I AM STILL SHOCKED THAT SILVIA NIGHT DIDNT MAKE IT INTO THE TOP TO THE FINALS.
I THINK ITS A EUROVISION SCANDAL.HOPE SHE WILL RETURN ONES AGAIN.
WELL SWEDEN WINS JESC 2 DECEMBER WITH MOLLY!
Lordi gave an incredible perfomance! they blow Europe away! and i am very happy that Finland won!
Greece's ANNA * VISSI is one tough cookie and, despite Europe's ... trance(!?!)
to vote for that scary Lordi monsters option, she rules as THE ULTIMATE
S*T*A*R, this year!
It goes to show you that ...
[b]ESC 2006 ATHENS + "Everything" = Euro[u]VISSI[/u]on[/b]!!!
because ANNA * VISSI was (and is) the most talked about ESC artist
in 2006 ... still going from strength to strength!
As for that ... trance, I blame it on the ESC Commentators and fans in the
remaining 36 countries, who were O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D. by Greece's [i]"Everything"[/i]
having been STEADILY in the lead as Favourite-to-Win for three whole months
(since March 2006) ... which is why Greece had to be "punished" for
H[b]A*V[/b]ING the most favourite SONG because that would mean
... a back-to-back win for Greece, thus making ESC history and,
apparently, nobody wanted that ... despite GREECE having had the most
f[b]A*V[/b]ourite song and having presented the BEST EVER Eurovision Song
Contest in its ... 51 years of existence!!!!
No worries ... No. 9 IS STILL A LUCKY and CELEBRATED NUMBER,
and ANNA * VISSI proved she already was ESC 2006 'DANGER' No. 1,
even though everything was done to stop ... [i]"Everything"[/i] from
reaching that top spot, when Europe supposedly voted ... SAFELY(!?!)
but ended up [b]FINN[/b]ishing with that ... HORRIBLE act!
Congrats to Finland, but only because ANNA * VISSI was a Lordi fan!
@ Jamandell,
with all the ex-soviet countries participating ofcourse russia was gonna get a lot of 12 pointers. this shows how political the voting is! russia's song wasnt even that good, they also got a lot of points for the lady coming out of the piano! the EBU should ban all props and no fireworks or anything on stage! thats why the countries win because of big things! example: Finland, firework guitars. Greece, large string violin.
to slave athanashove and buycott greece now.
i have seen so many malakes in my life but not soooo big like you guys congratulations you hold the world record of malakias.if you bealive all that you are saying about greece macedonia etc then guys i cant have a dialoge with you you are from out space.but thank you so much becouse now we know that ther is a kind of life in other galaxies the only think im affraid is that this new life if it like you then it s full of sperm. in case that you are from earth allthoug i think that possibilty is very small i have to congratulatiate you again you are the only humans that in your brains exist the absolute nothing woooooooooooow
I think that Russian song and performance was the best! I wish the Russians win next year! But I dont think the EU will really make it true....
.jpg)
sijune mou...
i am really sorry for the impression u got about the turkish people from what u have been reading on esctoday...turkey is full of fair people believe me...and they love greek people more than you can imagine...i know it is strange but true...u should come and see one day... 
thank you athens for the great show...best stage ever...superb initial act...great images of greece...makes one wanna jump on a boat and sail through the islands...
...and anna vissi still rules!
sijune and nektarios...my best wishes for you two...from the bottom of my heart...take care 
LET LOVE & RESPECT RULE!!!
Howdy!!!
Does anybody know where I can re-watch the Eurovision song contest? I had been working last saturday.
Howdy!!!
Does anybody know where I can re-watch the Eurovision song contest? I had been working last saturday.
On the actual topic: I didn't like the winners because I don't enjoy that kind of music and I don't think it will become a cross-border hit! On the same token, I think the ethno motivated songs are getting too much, come on people be creative! I mean there's been plenty of them already and I think this 'trend' needs to stop. I was sad to see that my country (Albania) chose such a song for the contest, especially since this type of songs are getting old! I hope next year there will be more light pop songs, the kinds we use to see in the 80's.
On the actual topic: I didn't like the winners because I don't enjoy that kind of music and I don't think it will become a cross-border hit! On the same token, I think the ethno motivated songs are getting too much, come on people be creative! I mean there's been plenty of them already and I think this 'trend' needs to stop. I was sad to see that my country (Albania) chose such a song for the contest, especially since this type of songs are getting old! I hope next year there will be more light pop songs, the kinds we use to see in the 80's.
On the actual topic: I didn't like the winners because I don't enjoy that kind of music and I don't think it will become a cross-border hit! On the same token, I think the ethno motivated songs are getting too much, come on people be creative! I mean there's been plenty of them already and I think this 'trend' needs to stop. I was sad to see that my country (Albania) chose such a song for the contest, especially since this type of songs are getting old! I hope next year there will be more light pop songs, the kinds we use to see in the 80's.
Reading all the postings from page one to 112, I realised what a racist, nationalistic and fashist youth Europe has today! This should scare us all! We brag on about out culture, heritige, tolerance and harmony and then when no one is looking or under the pretence of a false name and identity online we show our true face: THAT OF A RACIST, a narrow minded one who can't bother to look beyond their nose! Shame on all of us! To denie the existence of such prominent racists sentiment is a crime and will come back and bite us in the ass like it did in WWII!
PEOPLE - this is a song contest not a race contest - must we look at all things in racial and national prism? Get over this sick fashism and move on! Your not a better person because you are Greek or Macedonian or whatever - you're a better person if you live your life on principles of tolerance and love!
@Gerry: good statement, I fully agree.
The Eurovision Song Contest should be about expanding the popular musical boundaries. This year's contest completely failed such a purpose. Yes, the winning song was different in that it gave us "hard rock", but it was not original - nor was it anything that could be described as special. Indeed, it is a very ordinary song that was dressed up with imagery. Only Bosina Herzogovina and Armenia gave a cultural flair to their entries, the B&H song being by far the best song in the contest.
The voting system is flawed by the neighbour factor and the migratory trends. The Scandinavian, Baltic, Balkan, ex-CIS, Iberian, Mediterranean pockets will all vote for each other. The large Turkish community in Germany will vote for Turkey as will the large Irish community in the UK vote for the homeland. There also seems to be a covert negativity attittude towards the big 4, which may explain the lower than expected placings of Germany and Spain. This year's result also highlights the fact that countries participating in the semi-final gain a slight advantage within the final due to better coverage/familiarity with their entry.
The ESC Management will be reluctant to come away from the text/telephone voting system, as it obviously generates funds to the participant broadcasters.
I would propose that two semi-finals take place with the top 12 from each qualifying to the final. I would also propose that 50% of the voting total be given by an independent competent jury.
In the final analysis of this year's contest Malta got less than 0.5% of Finland's total, yet the Maltese song was more melodic and pleasant. Hard rock will not become popular as a result of Lordi's win, but bizarre costumes in next year's ESC may well be the trend!
pop music is shit...hard rock rulez...
Fyromian I will tell you the truth about the so called historian Stefov:
He is on demand historian telling ferytails to the poor SlavoAustrialians and Slavocanadanians , earning money for his speaches and selling to them books with no historian truth inside whatsoever!!
He even calls your ex president Gligorov a traitor because he said "We are Slavs and nothing to do
with ancient Macedonians whatsoever". He even uses in his articles stories from Bulgarians that they state that they are Bulgarians but for his twisted mind are "Macedonians" because they belonged to "Macedonian Exarchate"!!!!
Thank you Slave Atanasov for proving that each Fyromian has a different version of their history
I will tell you the plain truth which everyone in the Balkans knows.
You are pure Bulgarians , speaking a version of Bulgarian language , until Tito in 1944 invented a "Macedonian" nation.
There are unlimited documents to prove that and a small search on the internet will find you to see the truth..
TO SLAVE ATHANASOVE TELL US WHAT YOU DRINK PLEASE WE WANT TOO I M SURE ITS A VERY GOOD STUFF HEHEHE. I READ YOUR ARTICLE IT IS FULL OF NONCES AND PROPAGANDA FYROM TRY TO MEASLEAD EUROPE BUT HISTORY DOESNT CHANGE MY FRIEND WHAT EVER YOU OR SOME POLITICIAN TRYING TO DO
@ Vergina Sun (GR)
you got a point there mate .... totally with you ....
Stan Errington i'm referring to Greek people, saying them to ingore some people, because it's a meaningless "flame war"! 
If i will say the others to stop, they will call me as always (nasionalist/racist ect etc) and it's realy boring for me to answer them!
Vergina - Please speak English
Kala re paidia de barethikate na asxoliste me tis anorgasmikes xenes pou den xeroun pou na xespasoun meta apo tin itta tous???
XALARWSE, ADIAFORISTE... kai aste na lene tis paparies tous (mi peftoume sto epipedo-dapedo tous!)
@ Miguel (Editor)
At what point do we draw the line with Slave Atanasov the Great (in his own mind) and Boycott Greece now?? Surely you can place a PERMANENT block on these two.
@ Miguel (Editor)
At what point do we draw the line with Slave Atanasov the Great (in his own mind) and Boycott Greece now?? Surely you can place a PERMANENT block on these two.
The list of 1336 reactions is divided into 50 pages. Choose a page:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50
React yourself
This news article is older than one week. Reacting to articles is only possible in the first week after publication.
