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 those that have won once before. Now we take a look at the remaining countries, those with the most experience in winning.
The United Kingdom has won the Eurovision Song Contest five times already. In 1967, Sadie Shaw won with Puppet on a string, which was a huge commerical success but even topped in sales figures be the Brotherhood of Man's Save your kisses for me in 1976. Between those two vicotries, Lulu also won the contest for the United Kingdom in 1969 with Boom bang-a-bang sharing the victory with France, the Netherlands and Spain. In 1981, Bucks Fizz had another UK winning song that became a world hit: Making your mind up. 16 years later, Katrina & the Waves achieved the last British victory to date with Love shine a light. Jade Ewen tries to be victorious tonight with It's my time.
France has had as many victories as the United Kingdom but has been waiting much longer for its number six. The last French winner to date was L'oiseau et l'enfant in 1977 performed by Marie Myriam. Previously, the country had won the contest in 1958 (André Claveau – Dors, mon amour), 1960 (Jacqueline Boyer – Tom Pillibi) and 1962 (Isabelle Aubret – Un premier amour). In 1969, France was one of four winning countries with Frida Boccara and Un jour, un enfant. This year, Patricia Kass, one of France's biggest stars, wants to be the winner with Et s'il fallait le faire.
In 48 participations, Sweden could manage to win the Eurovision Song Contest four times so far. In 1974, ABBA were victorious with Waterloo and launched their world career. The Herrey's won in 1984 with Diggiloo-diggiley and brought the contest to Gothenburg. Carola was the winner in 1991 with Fångad av en stormvind and she was succeeded by Charlotte Nilsson in 1999 with Take me to your heaven. Another female soloist tries to make Sweden winfor the fifth time this year:Malena Ernman with La voix.
Israel is the only country at the moment that has won three times exactly. In 1978, Izhar Cohen & Alpha-Beta won the contest with A-ba-ni-bi before Gali Atari and Milk & Honey did the same the year after on homeground with Hallelujah. It would take another 19 years until Israel was third time lucky with Dana International and Diva. Noa & Mira Awad want to be the fourth Israeli entrants to win tonight with their ballad There must be another way.
Denmark was the first Nordic country to join the Eurovision Song Contest in1957 andthe first Nordic country to win it in 1963 with Grethe & Jørgen Ingman and Dansevise. 37 years later, the Olsen Brothers brought Denmark its second victory with Fly on the wings of love. Brinck is the country's hopeful this year and he hopes to bring the contest to Copenhagen with Believe again.
Norway had been competing and regularly finishing last in the competition until the Bobbysocks won with La det swinge in Gothenburg in 1985. Only ten years later, Secret Garden repeatet the success winning in Dublin with Nocturne. Alexander Rybak wants to be the third Norwegian winner this year with his Fairytale.
The two victories by Spain occured back-to-back in 1968 and 1969. The first victory went to Massiel for her song Lalala and the year after, Salomé wonwith Vivo cantando. Soraya will close the final tonight with her summer pop song La noche es para mí.
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 Old Timers" are as follows:
- Norway – Evs (1st overall)
- United Kingdom – 12/1
- France – 25/1
- Sweden – 40/1
- Denmark – 66/1
Spain – 66/1 - Israel – 150/1
