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© Stella Floras
Lys Assia meets Marija Serifovic
Eurovision: EBU presents permanent winner's trophy
Svante Stockselius referred to last year's contest and the complaints about East and West divide. He said that he does not really believe such a thing exists as if eastern countries were taken out of last years results, the following results would have been: 1.Serbia 2.Ukraine 3.Turkey 4.Russia 5.Bulgaria 6. Hungary 7. Armenia 8.Greece 9.Romania The back up jury results were also looked at. The only mayor difference to the result would have been a top 10 finish for Germany should the juries be the ones to decide last year.
This year the EBU experiment with a back up jury to decide the 10th qualifier and they believe that the two semi finals will produce a fairer result as it is not fair that that last year's placing would determine who is in the final, as it does not follow that a strong song will be sent in two consecutive years. Even though the two semi finals cost more and are longer - it is the fairest way to chose the best songs for the final.
Last night's First semi final produced high viewing figures all over Europe and next year Austria, Australia, New Zealand and Kazakhstan will broadcast the show to the final. As for the results, the 9 countries were produced by televoting and the 10th by the back up juries. However the result of the 10th televote was the same as the back up jury. Three Countdown shows of half an hour each were produced - offered to European broadcasters to present a buzz for the contest. 80% of the courtiers broadcasted these shows.
The movie
A comedy movie will be made about Eurovision, Svante said . A contract has been signed and the movie will be produced by the company 'Working Title', makers of Four Weddings and A Funeral. It is hoped that this will be produced in the summer and shown in the cinemas next year.
Other territories are also interested in the Eurovision format. A show for North Africa and the Middle East will be produced soon. The USA is looking at the format. Soon it may be possible to have a World Song Contest.
The problem of empty seats in the arena during last night's semi final was also discussed and the answer said that this was due to ticket being bought in packages and people where not able or not willing to useall the tickets in the package and a number of seats had been bought by corporate sponsors and not used. This is something that the organisers did not anticipate and the system will be examined.
A record number of submissions had been received for this years Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Cyprus.
Svante then proceeded to reveal the permanent Eurovision Song Contest winner's trophy in the form of a crystal microphone.
Afterwards the special guests of the day were presented. Last year's winner Marija Serifovic met with the contest's first ever winner Lys Assia.
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Poor Edin he will look like an idiot if Dima doesn't win, and I'm pretty sure he wont.
No way for Sweeden & Russia for win...
I think : Armenia,Greece,Serbia or UK
Even if there will be a World Song Contest, it will be low-profile contest comparing ESC, and the newly Arab world and the USA editions.
- the real Hero
What happened to the other "hero!?
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A PAPER OR PAPERS READY IN THE HEAT THAT DIMA BILAN COULD RECOGNIZE. THAT'S WHY HE STOOD UP AND ACTED THEATRICALLY.
DEAR FRIENDS, ESC FANS, I WISH YOU TO WATCH THE WHOLE PRESS-CONFERENCE AND ESPECIALLY THE MOMENTS WHEN RUSSIAN ENTRANT DIMA BILAN WAS IN THE CENTRE OF CAMERA ATTENTION AND THEN JUDGE FOR YOURSELF. I WOULD REALLY LIKE YOU TO REACT. I CLAIM THAT DRAW WAS IRREGULAR.
PLEASE, ESCTODAY PUT THE LINK OF THE WHOLE PRESS-CONFERENCE!
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A PAPER OR PAPERS READY IN THE HEAT THAT HE COULD RECOGNIZE. THAT'S WHY HE STOOD UP AND ACTED THEATRICALLY.
YEAH SWEDEN HAS WON!!!! IN THE BEST EUROPEAN BOTOX OF 2008!!!!! GOD!!!
how ugly and lame
anyway the idea of the same logo every year was as dumb and look where it got us, after 4 editions, serbia 2008 starts already having its own little logo and it will go further more to the disa^ppearing of a very lame logo.. same for this horrible "cup"
World Song Contest? Why not? 4 finalists from 6 continents!
Good format.
The thing is that the world contest will give more neighbour diaspora voting and the winner will be China or Ireland each year 
I WAS GOINT TO VOTE CHARLOTTE PERELLI
BUT AFTER READING HOW ANNOYING AND OBNOXIOUS HERO IS, I DECIDED TO VOTE THE RIVAL !
"1.Serbia 2.Ukraine 3.Turkey 4.Russia 5.Bulgaria 6. Hungary 7. Armenia 8.Greece 9.Romania"... hum and how many Western Countries were in the final last year ?????? 7/24 (including Nordic countries) so right Svante no problems at all......
Also funny to see that 4 countries of this top 9 qualified in the first semi final... Seems like the same countries always benefit from bloc/diaspora voting (Russia, Armenia in the lead... and let's bet on Ukraine for the 2nd semi). So seems like we'll have the same countries in the final year after year with some changes from time to time between the Eastern countries (so they will be in final once every two years), indeed Svante, no problems...
NO SWEDEN AND RUSSIA!!! 
PORTUGAL TO VICTORY!!! 
NO SWEDEN AND RUSSIA!!!
PORTUGAL TO VICTORY!!!
Check out this video here if u`re fan of Sirusho`s famous tit trick:
http://www.youtube.c(...)/watch?v=8toHY-IuihM
and don`t forget 2 vote 4 her, she rocks 
100% agree!!!
Sweden has won!!!!!
Scokholm 2009 here we come!!!
@ Pau PV
Why no Sweden?
Sweden has won accept it!!!!!!
No Sweden and no Russia, please.
Russia in any case.
@Glen Bartlett:
Late June would be a great time to organize the ESC!
I agree!!!!!!
Sweden has already won!!! so give the trophy to Sweden!!
Nice trophy to give to Charotte!!
The hero of esc 2008!
Vote Sweden
The Hero!!!!!!1
Well Fabio Deluca, to be honest, I haven't watched some video of Dima Bilan where he doesn't look like a complete IDIOT!
World Song Contest seems like a good idea - but they need to find a better title.
Also - possible return for uk at JESC as a record number of countries have submitted their participation.
I would like to see the ESC in June at one time - it would give a more summer theme to the programme, but again I find it too early this year.
Anyway, looking good already!
Glen
@ Mil:
You are right. The numbers are well hidden, but Dima looked like a retard playing that stupid 'ritual'. How childish!
Must add something to my previous post...
I also don't like Russian song and Dima's personality, but I'm not gonna imagine something just to bash him...
we must sabotage dima on saturday!! everything is set up for that bastαrd to win!!!!
The OTI Song Contest was not that bad. The first editions during the 70's were as good as ESC. The problem is it didn't see a departure from the old-fashioned style and it killed it afterwards. Anyway, I want the OTI back! 
ProjectZero, are you blind or something??? Can't you see that numbers are well hidden??? Dima can look as much as he wants but he can't see the number. Other contestants have also looked at the hat, so what??????
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