Germany win as Spain are rudely interrupted by stage invader at Eurovision Song Contest

By Liz Thomas

Intrusion: An unidentified man invades the stage as Daniel Diges from Spain performs his song Algo Pequenito (Something Tiny)


Germany were crowned the winners of the Eurovision song contest tonight after an eventful evening which saw Spain perform twice after their first attempt was interrupted by a stage invader.

The second ever German winner, Lena Mayer-Landrut, 19, took home the prize with her British-styled song Satellite.

And it may not have been the dreaded ‘nul points’ at last night’s Eurovision Song Contest – but the UK lived up to its pitiful record by finishing last for the third time in less than ten years.


Unwelcome guest: Diges was later allowed to perform again


Josh Dubovie, 19, was awarded a feeble ten points at the contest in Oslo, as Germany chalked up a clear victory.

There was a typically eccentric array of acts among the 25 entrants but the Essex teenager’s song, That Sounds Good To Me, obviously didn’t sound good to judges from the other countries.

The show had earlier got off to a bizarre when a man, who was wearing a T-Shirt which read Jimmy Jump.com, raced up to singer Daniel Diges while he performed Algo Pequenito (Something Tiny).

He then began to dance around the stage before being chased off by security guards.


Last place: Britain's entrant Josh Dubovie performs That Sounds Good To Me, but will he failed to impress the judges


First place: Singer Lena became the second ever German winner with her song Satellite


Germany’s Lena scored 246 points for her platinum-selling single, already a No 1 hit across mainland Europe.

Afterwards she said: ‘This is so great. I never thought something like this could ever happen to me.’

Ahead of last night’s show, Josh Dubovie's song had already been dubbed our worst ever Eurovision entry. Bookmakers Ladbrokes offered odds of 175-1 against Josh winning the competition, while the odds of him achieving the infamous ‘nul points’ were as low as 5-1.

Even the song’s composer Pete Waterman had admitted it was ‘highly unlikely’ the UK would win the 55th hosting of the event.


Taking flight: Belarus perform their song Butterflies during the contest in Oslo, Norway


Vision in red: Georgia's entrant Sofia Nizharadze performs the song Shine


He raced up to singer Daniel Diges while he performed Algo Pequenito (A Little Something) – and danced around before being chased off by security guards. Spain was allowed to perform again before voting closed.

This year’s contest also featured Welshman Jon Lilygreen representing Cyprus.

Jon, from Newport, performed with The Islanders, but they finished in the bottom half with Life Looks Better In Spring.

BBC host Graham Norton said after the results were announced: 'Poor old Josh. He gave a very credible performance tonight and he should be proud of himself but it wasn't to be.'

Norton hosted the show, his second time presenting the contest – after taking over from Sir Terry Wogan who stood down in 2008.


In full blossom: Eva Rivas from Armenia performs the song Apricot Stone


Danish treat: Chanee & N'evergreen from Denmark perform the song In A Moment Like This
The rules were changed last year after heavy criticism that political block voting by Eastern European nations skewed the competition.


For the first time, voting in the final was split between tele-voting and panels of musical experts.

Jade Ewen, who now sings in pop band Sugababes, was the UK’s 2009 entry and finished in fifth place after singing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s It’s My Time.

The musical impresario heavily promoted the song across Europe – helping to boost its profile.

In 2008 bin man Andy Abraham finished joint last prompting many – including Sir Terry – to question if there was any point in Britain taking part.

The last time the UK enjoyed victory in the competition was in 1997 when Katrina And The Waves won in Dublin with Love Shine A Light.


Winners: The last time the UK enjoyed victory in the competition was in 1997 when Katrina And The Waves won in Dublin with Love Shine A Light


Watched by an audience of around 125 million across the continent, the Eurovision Song Contest was a more muted affair than usual as the economic crisis begins to bite.

Norway slashed the budget by a quarter and fewer countries are competing than usual because of financial reasons.

'Of course the economic crisis is affecting us, we have fewer countries competing this year and they all withdrew for the same reason - budget cuts,' said Svante Stockselius, executive supervisor of the contest.

The Czech Republic, Montenegro and Andorra dropped out of the competition altogether, while Hungary decided not to enter a contestant but will still air the show.





source: dailymail