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Russia scoops Eurovision victory Russia scoops Eurovision victory
(10 minutes later)
Russian singer Dima Bilan has won this year's Eurovision Song Contest.Russian singer Dima Bilan has won this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
Bilan is one of Russia's biggest pop stars and his heartfelt ballad Believe, produced by US R&B star Timbaland, gave Russia its first ever Eurovision win.Bilan is one of Russia's biggest pop stars and his heartfelt ballad Believe, produced by US R&B star Timbaland, gave Russia its first ever Eurovision win.
Ukraine's Ani Lorak came second, followed by Greece with upbeat pop song Secret Combination by Kalomira.Ukraine's Ani Lorak came second, followed by Greece with upbeat pop song Secret Combination by Kalomira.
But British talent show runner-up Andy Abraham came joint last with his song Even If, gaining just 14 points, the same as Germany and Poland.But British talent show runner-up Andy Abraham came joint last with his song Even If, gaining just 14 points, the same as Germany and Poland.
Before the voting, Terry Wogan, who is commentating for the BBC, said Abraham was "our best entry for years", adding: "He deserves to do well with that." Before the voting, Terry Wogan, who was commentating for the BBC, said Abraham was "our best entry for years", adding: "He deserves to do well with that."
British talent show finalist Andy Abraham sang his entry Even IfBut the former X Factor contestant only received points from San Marino - who took part for the first time - and Ireland. British talent show finalist Andy Abraham sang his entry Even IfBut the former X Factor contestant only received points from San Marino - who were taking part for the first time - and Ireland.
Dimar Bilan won with a stage show that included Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko performing on a small ice circle.Dimar Bilan won with a stage show that included Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko performing on a small ice circle.
Bilan is a well-known performer throughout Russia and beyond, winning the best awrist prize aty the country's MTV Awards for the past three years in a row. Bilan is a well-known performer throughout Russia and beyond, having been named best artist at the country's MTV Awards for the past three years in a row.
He took part in Eurovision in 2006, finishing second behind Finnish rock monsters Lordi.He took part in Eurovision in 2006, finishing second behind Finnish rock monsters Lordi.
He has recorded an album in English with Timbaland, including a duet with Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, and hopes to use it to mreak the international market later this year. He has recorded an album in English with Timbaland, including a duet with Canadian singer Nelly Furtado, and hopes to use it to break into the international market later this year.
EUROVISION TOP FIVE 1. Russia: 272 points2. Ukraine: 2303. Greece: 2184. Armenia: 1995. Norway: 182 This year's other entrants included Latvian pirates, a Finnish heavy rock group, a 75-year-old Croatian rapper and French dance musician Sebastian Tellier, who has worked with Daft Punk and Air.EUROVISION TOP FIVE 1. Russia: 272 points2. Ukraine: 2303. Greece: 2184. Armenia: 1995. Norway: 182 This year's other entrants included Latvian pirates, a Finnish heavy rock group, a 75-year-old Croatian rapper and French dance musician Sebastian Tellier, who has worked with Daft Punk and Air.
Swedish singer Charlotte Perrelli, who won the event in 1999, was another hot tip and was picked as the winner in a Europe-wide BBC poll before the event.Swedish singer Charlotte Perrelli, who won the event in 1999, was another hot tip and was picked as the winner in a Europe-wide BBC poll before the event.
But she failed to become the first female singer to win the contest twice.But she failed to become the first female singer to win the contest twice.
The show was opened in front of 20,000 fans at the Belgrade Arena by last year's winner Marija Serifovic.The show was opened in front of 20,000 fans at the Belgrade Arena by last year's winner Marija Serifovic.
The 20 countries that came through the semi-finals joined hosts Serbia plus the UK, France, Germany and Spain - the contest's four biggest backers.The 20 countries that came through the semi-finals joined hosts Serbia plus the UK, France, Germany and Spain - the contest's four biggest backers.