nickthenoodle

I'd like to see 9 through from each semi + the big 5 + Azerbaijan then one further qualifier being chosen by a jury vote from the two semi finals: 18 + 5 + 1 + 1 Maybe a bit too much :D?

Oh good, so in my absence the contest hasn't become totally mod controlled, I'm glad :P.

If two people have chosen the same entry will it be the first person who sent it who gets to keep it - or will it be a moderator decision?

Whilst I agree that it's a beautiful country with an amazing culture - it's not free of its skeletons and I wouldn't call it peaceful. The political system is far from democratic and their unconditional support of Turkey (over issues such as Armenian genocide) as well as their war with Armenia (primarily over a monument erected by the Russians for the Armenians) which is an ongoing dispute suggests to me that it's far from peaceful. I actually met the British delegate from Azerbaijan (in Bhukara, Uzbekistan) and she said it's one of the most corrupt and oppressive regimes in the world Soz :kink:

Yeah, I know that there's a strong 'bond' between the Turkic nations - although I did think that over the last few years it had diminished, given the emerging sense of 'jingoistic' nationalism in the central Asian republics and Azerbaijan (OMG I read a book about that blew my mind :wacko:) But I digress, Azerbaijan should give us one hell of a show - and I'm glad to see them emerging on an international stage, although unfortunately it seems to be at the expense of their people and domestic policy =\.

I wonder if Turkey <-> Azerbaijan will become the new Greece <-> Cyprus :o? 4th year in a row that Turkey have given their 12 to the Azeris and I expect they would have reciprocated if hey were in the final.

Well done with Ukraine there!

+ I'm delighted Azerbaijan won,if only to make up for Safura and AySel and Arash not doing it :D It's #1 on my list of countries to visit, although I'm not sure if jet-setting to the caucausus in the middle of my A Levels would be a good idea...

I was wondering (cynically and convaluted-ly) if the juries pegged France back in order to manufacture an exciting vote. i.e. not all putting France at #1 expecting them to win the televote and set up a close battle with Azerbaijan (or someone), perhaps putting Italy and Ukraine near the top expecting them to fail in the televote and having a battle between the jury favoured songs and the voting favoured songs. That said, we can't say that until the split is revealed - I just wonder if they wanted a closer result than the last 2 years :o.

He obviously read the Mail's article stating that Jedward were thwarted by geo-political voting :mellow:...

Yes, you heard it right - FNT Nickodonia are back and raring to win. Maybe.

Oh dear :o I put a :( face at Hungary being 10th - and they're 22nd?! Estonia (who I predicted to win up until last Monday) in 24th? France and UK were miles off, I only matched 5 of the top 10 :o oh dear Only 20 places off with Italy too :kink:.

Azerbaijan second in their semi for a third year in a row :o

Unless the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is settled (which it clearly won't be) then Armenia probably will sit it out - actually, remember a few years ago when the Azeris interrogated people for voting for Armenia? Will they even let Armenia compete?!

I think the BBC would've thought that name alone (+ a pretty good song) would guarantee them a top 5. I just hope that the UK doesn't fall back onto the 'oh it was bloc voting' and send Andy Abrahams again next year :P.

Devestated for Estonia </3 pleased Azerbaijan finally won, although I'd rather 'Always' or 'Drip Drop' had done it. 11th isn't really going to encourage the BBC to go for gold every year =\, back to sh!t next time?

Thanks! Very happy with the top 5, let's hope we're close to the actual result!

I remember that the UK's national final had a post card voting system, but pre-televoting the ESC final was just by juries. :)

Still waiting for Albania's charge up the table...

A bit random, but in Ukraine's song - I swear everytime she says 'crysal white' it sounds like 'kristallnacht', probably a bit of a contentious subject in Germany :o.

Funny how someone with the username 'I Can UK Can' puts Azerbaijan in first :kink:

Albania on 0 :o beginning to wonder how they even got through.

17 points, 7 votes to go - it's not home and dry yet - but Hungary have the gay and therefore BJ factor this year.

Graham's very decent - his commentary is entertaining and without the 'bloc voting' rambles we endured from Wogan.

Glad to see Estonia doing well :o <3 Getter 4 lyf.