Reality Betting

Eurovision 2008

Get excited everyone, because at the end of the month the entire planet will be putting down their bombs and tuning in to watch the Eurovision Song Contest on television. Who could forget the night that Bucks Fizz pulled off Cheryl Baker's little skirt to reveal... another little skirt! Oh, it was magical! Let’s just hope that Andy from X Factor (UK's entry) doesn't try a similar stunt.

Here are the facts:

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» Ireland are the kings of Eurovision with seven victories, including an unprecedented three in a row in the mid nineties. The United Kingdom lie in joint-second on five, along with France and Luxembourg. However, no nation has won more Eurovision points than the UK.

» Steer clear of Norway. They have finished bottom of the pile on a record ten separate occasions. Might be best to avoid Portugal too - they have yet to win despite entering regularly since 1964, the contest's longest barren run.

» Serbia are the reigning champions but the Eurovision crown has been retained on only five occasions (Spain 1969, Luxembourg 1973, Israel 1979, Ireland 1993 and 1994.)

» 24 out of 52 competitions have been won by a country that has never won before, and it has happened in each of the last seven years.

» The youngest ever winner was the Belgian Sandra Kim in 1986, who was a sprightly 13 when she took home the Eurovision spoils. The oldest was Efren Eugene Benita, part of the Estonian group who won in 2001, aged 50.

» chickendinner superfact: It is best to perform last on the night. That spot has produced six winners, more than any other position.

» Former Eastern-bloc countries have only won on five occasions – including last year (Serbia).

» An all-male performance hasn't won since 1990.

» Songs with English lyrics have won on 22 occasions. French is the second most popular winning language with 14 winning songs.

10/04/08

Eurovision Song Contest Betting, best odds