Dima Bilan , Russia's entrant to the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest, arrived in Israel and met with the Israeli entrant, Eddie Butler. They gave a press conference in Tel Aviv and then went out the beach to play some ping-pong. Esctoday.com was there, bringing you a photo gallery.

'I feel the burden and great responsibility to do the best for my country and to win the contest', said Dima Bilan in the press conference and added: 'Although being selected to represent Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest is a big enough honor for me. Despite that I will ofcourse do my best to win'. When asked about his plans for the stage act in Athens, Bilan was reluctant to reveal details but said that 'a piano is involved and it will be a big surprise'.

Eddie Butler was also present of course. Butler told the press that he and Dima are already very much acquainted. They both participated in the Jurmala Song Festival a few years ago, and since then have become the best friends (Butler even referred to Dima as 'a brother'). Later on Eddie revealed that the new version of his entry, Together we are one, will be released next week, along with a new video clip. In the new version, only one verse is in Hebrew and the rest is in English.

After the short press conference and a photo with the Russian ambassador in Israel, the two singers went outside to the beach and played a bit of beach ping-pong, to the joy of the photographers. A puppy that strolled on the beach immediately beacme a part of this photo session, as you can see in the picture gallery attached.

Click here for the gallery.