The grand final of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest will be held tonight. Of course, everyone wants to know where the trophy and therefore the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest will go to. The last seven victories were all achieved by countries that had never won it before. We have already taken a look at those countries in the final that have never won before and now take a look at those countries that have won the competition once before but are still waiting for their second victory.
In 1982, Germany won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time having taken part in every year since the first edition in 1956. Nicole took the trophy with the song Ein bißchen Frieden and remains the only German winner to date. However, the country came close on some occasions finishing second four times and third five times. This year, Alex Swings! Oscar Sings! want to be on top after 27 years with the song Miss kiss kiss bang.
We take a huge step forward and take a look at the year 2001, when Estonia achieved its first and only victory to date. Tanel Padar, Dave Benton & 2XL were the surprise winners in Copenhagen with Everybody. Estonia was also rather close to a victory in other years, but has never made the final over the last five contests. Urban Symphony made it this year and hope to bring the contest to Tallinn with Rändajad.
Turkey had – often unsuccessfully – been competing in the Eurovisision Song Contest since 1975 until Sertab Erener finally won it in 2003 with her song Everyway that I can, which was the first Turkish entry to be entirely performed in English. This year, another female soloist tried to do the same trick as Hadises competes in the final tonight with Düm tek tek.
Following the Netherlands in 1957, Ukraine was only the second country to win the contest on its second attempt. Ruslana sang and danced herself on top with Wild dances. The country only narrowly missed the top in 2007 and 2008 finishing second twice in a row and Svetlana Loboda hopes to be even highest this year with Be my Valentine! (Anti-crisis girl).
Greece took part for the first time in 1974 and would have to wait until 2005 to finally win the first prize. Helena Paparizou did it with My number one and brought the contest to Athens in 2006. Sakis Rouvas has already taken part in 2004 and is back this year with This is our night.
Finland had great powers of endurance over the years. Having debuted in 1961, the country had never ever even been in the top five when Lordi finally won it with Hard rock hallelujah and were the reason why the 2007 contest was held in Helsinki for the first time. Waldo's People try to be on top this year with their song Lose control.
Last but not least, Dima Bilan won the Eurovision Song Contest for Russia for the first time last year with his song Believe. The country was also second twice and third twice making it one of the most successful competing countries of this century. Anastasiya Pridhodko wants to win it on homeground this year (although the Russian broadcaster has stated that they are not heading for a victory this year) with her entry Mamo. The last time a country won on homeground was Ireland in 1994.
Betting odds
The last seven victories were all achieved by countries that had never one before. This year, according to the betting odds, it looks more like a country that has won before will take home the trophy. The betting odds according to coral.co.uk for the "Eurovision One Nighters" are as follows:
- Greece – 11/2 (2nd overall)
- Turkey – 9/1
- Ukraine – 20/1
- Estonia – 40/1
- Finland – 50/1
Germany – 50/1 - Russia – 100/1
