2011 Eurovision song fest gets underway

It is that time of year when presenters compete with over-the-top television production and viewers cringe and criticise musical cultural differences – yes it is the Eurovision Song contest.

The first of two semi-finals having been completed we now know ten of the countries set to compete in Saturday’s final.

Russia will be joined by nine others including Serbia and Azerbaijan. Under the rules five countries qualify automatically, Italy, Spain, France, the UK and this year’s hosts Germany.

Iceland was the last to get through in the first batch of qualifiers, a second semi to select a further ten countries will be held on Thursday.

And for Eurovision addicts, the current betting has the French contribution sung in Corsican as favourite.

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