It's official: Verka fever has hit Helsinki. Fans went crazy for Ukraine's performance in Hartwall this afternoon as glitter took over the arena.

One group of fans wrapped themselves in baking foil to dance along with Verka. Another group in the audience whooped and screamed after every one of Verka's crazy performances. At last night's welcome party, Verka was practically mobbed as she made her entrance, and as such she wins the competition for the most attention ever.

She might also win the competition for catchiest entry ever, too, as most of the audience were singing along to that frustratingly catchy refrain at some point or other. A real Ohrwurm, to use the German phrase for a real 'sticky' song.

Disco balls and madly flashing lights complement the glitter fest on stage as Verka bounces, spins and runs to the claps of a totally frenzied crowd. If the reaction is this big now, the roof may literally be blown off the house on Saturday.

• You can find the photo gallery here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afSmWl5ALCQ

Press conference

Verka started the press conference with a special announcement about her mother by telling theyhad beenat a party yesterday and they were touched, especially her mother. They believe ithad been the Germans. Today they will go to two parties and that's why they asked for a short press conference.

Verka said a lot of countries have started copying her act, e.g running on stage. She was asked what would she say if she won the Eurovision Song Contest to the other countries. "Sorry!" Verka stated. She added thatfor her it's not a press conference but an event to get to know the journalists.

Talking about her entry, Verka said she had chosen the language of the song due to her childhood – she had hadvery good gradesin German. She also exchanged letters with a German boy who sent her stickers during the Soviet era. But their friendship almost ended when he asked her to send a picture of her house. It got her angrybecause she lived in a barrel back then. But she wanted to continue communicating, so she sent a picture of a museum. And that is why her German is still good.

Just after having a short argument with her mother she presented a Finnish version of her song. "Sieben, sieben, einz, zwei, hard rock hallelujah!" she sang with a rockish voice. She ended the pressconference by explaining her saying 'ruchki, ruchki' means asking people to clap along with her. Furthermore, he gave aDVD to one of the organisers and asked for a return present.

The press conference was attended byfar the most journalists and delegation members during this Eurovision Song Contest here in Helsinki. Due to that she was flooded by people wanting an autograph from her.