May 19, 2006 • 1 min read

It's a knockout

Thirteen countries were eliminated in the Eurovision semi-final, with Ireland's Brian Kennedy and Finland's Lordi going through and Belgium's Kate Ryan knocked out.

No, it's Eurovision really, but 13 countries have indeed been knocked out following last night's semi-final to decide who goes through to the main event tomorrow.

Ireland's Brian Kennedy has made it through, as has Finnish band Lordi, who, as previously reported, have been garnering negative public reaction in their homeland.

A number of performers expected to make it through didn't, the biggest shock being the elimination of Belgian entry Kate Ryan, who was one of this year's favourites.

Of those clearly not expected to get through, but who did, Lithuania was one of the most surprising - their act consists of six men in suits singing "we are the winners of Eurovision". God, I hope they win. They sound great.

So do you want to know who is odds on favourite? Well, it's not the UK. Because we won't win. We'll probably come second from the bottom. Nothing against Daz Sampson, but it's got bugger all to do with the music. Of course, I'm only saying all of this so that I can eat my words on Monday. Over to Ladbrokes:

3/1 - Sweden, Carola

7/2 - Greece, Anna Vissi

4/1 - Romania, Mihai Traistariu

6/1 - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hari Mata Hari

6/1 - Russia, Dima Bilan

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