Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final

Host country: Denmark (DR)
Venue: B&W Hallerne, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hosts: Nikolaj Koppel, Pilou Asbæk and Lise Rønne
Date: Saturday 10 May 2014
Winner: Austria - Conchita Wurst "Rise Like a Phoenix" (290 points)

N.B. Any use of "tonight" or "this evening" throughout this post means Saturday 10 May 2014

The Opening

After the usual Eurovision ident accompanied by Charpentier's Te Deum prelude "Marche en rondeau", there was a rapid sequence of flashbacks to Denmark's win in Malmö last year. This was followed by a video of a journey by various modes of transport from Malmö to Copenhagen. An instrumental of Denmark's first ever winning entry in 1963 accompanied the video. Inside the arena, all 26 finalists walked on stage, one by one, in the order they were to perform. Once all finalists had appeared, Nikolaj, Pilou and Lise appeared on stage together to give their opening speech.

The Songs

Just over 13 minutes after the start of the show it was time for the first song. Each song was introduced by a postcard film related to the appropriate country, during which someone in the film created the appropriate flag design somehow, e.g. Ukraine stuck yellow Post It notes on the edge of a railway station platform, and a pale blue sided train pulled in alongside the platform, thereby creating the flag design to be photographed (pale blue train edge top half, yellow Post It notes bottom half). Furthermore UK BBC One / BBC One HD viewers had Graham Norton's commentary over the postcard films.

N.B. Looking at the results, there were three tied positions, but the EBU has separated them as follows:
Denmark and Spain 74 points; Denmark 9th place, Spain 10th place
Finland and Romania 72 points; Finland 11th place, Romania 12th place
Italy and Azerbaijan 33 points; Italy 21st place, Azerbaijan 22nd place

I have quoted the following points and placings from the official Eurovision Song Contest 2014 Grand Final web page, which I believe and trust as the only official source.

Song 1: Ukraine - Mariya Yaremchuk "Tick - Tock" (6th place, 113 points)

The first song in the line-up was from Ukraine. This is a song I felt borderline about whilst listening to the CD, and which ended up on my "Wouldn't mind qualifying" list Tuesday evening. Based on tonight's performance I'm glad it qualified, overall it's a reasonable song with a really catchy chorus. Undeniably its prime selling gimmick is the man in the giant hamster wheel. Was that meant to be a representation of a clock? It certainly seems that way to me. Although certainly one of the better entries of the night, and maybe worthy of a top ten place, I think 6th was too high. Put it this way, Russia deserved a higher placing than Ukraine. 8th to 11th might have been more appropriate for this song.

Song 2: Belarus - Teo "Cheesecake" (16th place, 43 points)

The first time I saw the preview video of this online I didn't think much of it, but I liked it more on the CD album, and I didn't mind it qualifying Thursday evening. Based on tonight's live performance it's alright, but not as good as Ukraine's entry. Was the kick at the end really necessary? Very much a middle of the road song, 16th place and 43 points was about right for this song.

Song 3: Azerbaijan - Dilara Kazimova "Start A Fire" (22nd place, 33 points)

Azerbaijan had some good entries the last few years, but this song is, in my opinion, somewhat poor by comparison; I didn't really want this in the final. The best bit was the lady on the trapeze, especially her somersaults on it, but what was the significance of that? This is a song contest after all, not a circus. What was the significance of the church window in the background? It's hardly surprising this led to Azerbaijan's lowest Grand Final result to-date; 22nd place and 33 points was about as much as this deserved. Ideally, Belgium or Portugal deserved the place this took.

Song 4: Iceland - Pollapönk "No Prejudice" (15th place, 58 points)

After the lullaby ballad last year, Iceland chose a much livelier song this time. The six members of Pollapönk each wore a different coloured suit; left to right the colours were pink, orange, light blue, red, purple, yellow. Was there any significance to wearing all those somewhat gaudy colours? When I first heard this song online I didn't think much of it, but I've developed a liking for it since. The best part of the song is the really catchy chorus with a good beat; I particularly like the line "It's not trigonometry" as that's a direct connection with mathematics. Although one of my most desired songs to qualify Tuesday evening, and I was delighted to see it tonight, it was undeniably a middle of the road finalist. 15th place and 58 points was about right for this entry; although it could perhaps have merited a place or two higher it definitely wasn't good enough for top ten.

Song 5: Norway - Carl Espen "Silent Storm" (8th place, 88 points)

Norway went for a gentle ballad this year; it was one of the songs I most wanted to qualify Thursday evening, and was delighted it did. It was sung by the male soloist Carl Espen, and accompanied by a pianist on the grand piano. An excellent song, very well sung with outstanding clarity of voice, this was one of the best songs of the night which definitely deserved a top ten placing. 8th place and 88 points was a good result; I think it could have merited a place or two higher. Put it this way, it definitely deserved a higher placing than Ukraine.

Song 6: Romania - Paula Seling & OVI "Miracle" (12th place, 72 points)

After feeling in two minds about this song whilst listening to the CD album, I felt this was one of the better songs in Thursday evening's semi-final, and it ended up being among those I definitely wanted to qualify that evening. Based on the Grand Final performance alone, this is a really catchy duet with a good beat, well sung and undeniably enhanced by the circular piano. 12th place and 72 points was a fair result for this song.

Song 7: Armenia - Aram MP3 "Not Alone" (4th place, 174 points)

Now for the other song I didn't really want to qualify in the first semi-final Tuesday evening, Armenia. This starts as a gentle ballad, and about two thirds of the way through there's a really lively bit. Finally the tail end of it goes back to being gentle. Based on the live Grand Final performance alone, "Not Alone" wasn't bad as a gentle ballad, but I question the need for the lively bit about two thirds of the way through. Although the lively bit could be seen as the climax before returning to the gentle ballad, I'm not sure you can marry styles of singing in this way. Up against other finalists, this was definitely better than Azerbaijan, Poland, Greece and France. However 4th place and 174 points was way too high, this didn't deserve a top five or even top ten placing. A more appropriate placing for this middle of the road finalist would have been in the 11th to 19th range.

Song 8: Montenegro - Sergej Ćetković "Moj Svijet" (19th place, 37 points)

Last year Montenegro entered a load of unbearable rap and dubstep, which thankfully failed to reach the final. This time they entered an excellent song; a beautiful ballad, very well sung by Sergej, appropriately accompanied by a first class dance routine by the ballerina. Tuesday evening this was one of my most desired semi-finalists to qualify, and I was delighted it did, thereby becoming Montenegro's first Grand Final appearance since their debut entry in 2007. Based on the live Grand Final performance alone, this was one of the best finalists. 19th place and 37 points was an insult. This song deserved a top ten placing, if not top five.

Song 9: Poland - Donatan & Cleo "My Słowianie - We Are Slavic" (14th place, 62 points)

Having given the Eurovision Song Contest a miss in 2012 and 2013, Poland were back for 2014 singing "My Słowianie - We Are Slavic". If that's the best they could come up with, why did they bother? This is the one song I least wanted to qualify in Thursday evening's second semi-final, but went through against my wishes. The song itself is a load of nauseating garbage. Was it dubstep or what? What was the significance of the lady with the washing board and bowl near the end? The only good thing I did like was the ladies' costumes, but this is a song contest, not a fancy costume contest. This was grossly over-rated at 14th place and 62 points, it deserved last place with nul points. Better still this shouldn't have even been in the Grand Final, I'm still appalled and disgusted it got there. Israel or Ireland, both of whom had entries an order of magnitude better, deserved the place Poland took.

Song 10: Greece - Freaky Fortune feat. RiskyKidd "Rise Up" (20th place, 35 points)

Now for the other entry I didn't want to qualify Thursday evening, Greece. The brass band introduction, which sounds like it was coming from a scratched vinyl record, just doesn't fit at all with the main part of the song. Seeing the audience jumping, bending their knees and waving their arms encouraged me to rise up from my chair to bend my knees and wave my arms; that was the only way I could half enjoy this garbage. The song itself was downright awful. 20th place and 35 points was more than this deserved, it should have finished 24th or 25th. Better still this shouldn't have qualified; Israel or Ireland, both of whom had entries an order of magnitude better, deserved the place Greece took.

Song 11: Austria - Conchita Wurst "Rise Like a Phoenix" (Winner, 290 points)

After two garbage entries that didn't belong in the Grand Final, back to a decent finalist, Austria. When I first heard this on the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 CD album just before Easter this reminded me of a typical James Bond opening theme. This is one of the entries I most wanted to qualify from the second semi-final Thursday evening, to the extent that I voted for it that evening. I was really overjoyed when I heard Austria called out as the tenth qualifier Thursday evening. "Rise Like a Phoenix" is an excellent song, very well performed with a good strong voice in both the second semi-final and the Grand Final. I'm glad this won, it was a well-deserved winner.

Song 12: Germany - Elaiza "Is it right" (18th place, 39 points)

The first Big Five entry of the night, Germany. I wasn't overly keen on this whilst listening to the CD. Based solely on the Grand Final performance, it's not bad but it's clearly one of the weaker finalists. 18th place and 39 points was about as much as this song deserved.

A short break occurred at this point.

Song 13: Sweden - Sanna Nielsen "Undo" (3rd place, 218 points)

One of the songs I most wanted to qualify in the first semi-final Tuesday evening; I was pleased when Sweden was announced as a finalist. Sanna gave an outstanding performance of this excellent ballad during the Grand Final. Although quite slow for much of its duration, towards the end it becomes livelier and more powerful. As one of the best finalists, it certainly deserved a top five placing, though I personally would have preferred San Marino 3rd and Sweden 4th. Nonetheless, well done Sanna finishing 3rd with 218 points.

Song 14: France - TWIN TWIN "Moustache" (26th place, 2 points)

Now for the second Big Five entry, France. What on Earth, in the world, was this meant to be? In my opinion the song itself wasn't up to much. Thank goodness it's not the Eurovision Dress Contest, the outfits were another let-down. What was the significance of the changing floor patterns, and the digital picture transitions? Definitely one of the worst finalists, I'm not surprised it finished last with just deux points. It certainly didn't deserve much higher than that, although personally I'd rather this had been 24th, with Greece 25th and Poland 26th.

Song 15: Russia - Tolmachevy Sisters "Shine" (7th place, 89 points)

Another song I most wanted to see go through to the final Tuesday evening, I was delighted it qualified. The Tolmachevy Sisters previously won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for Russia in 2006. This year they represented Russia in the adult Eurovision Song Contest. An excellent song with a really catchy chorus, I particularly liked the back to back formation at the start and synchronised moves thereafter. What was the significance of the see-saw though? The Tolmachevy Sisters sang on it, balancing each other up and down for most of the song. What was the significance of the giant fan on it near the end? An outstanding performance, this was another of the best finalists which I think deserved a little higher than 7th place and 89 points. I'd perhaps have rated it 6th, it certainly deserved a higher placing than Ukraine.

Song 16: Italy - Emma "La Mia Città" (21st place, 33 points)

The third Big Five entry, Italy. Emma was accompanied by a man on a drum kit, and other backing members with other musical instruments. There's not much else I can say, overall this was another below par song, 21st place and 33 points was about as much as this deserved.

Song 17: Slovenia - Tinkara Kovač "Round and round" (25th place, 9 points)

After my initial doubts about this song on the CD, I felt it was one of the better semi-finalists last Thursday evening; I ended up wanting this to qualify and was glad it did. Based on the Grand Final performance alone, this is certainly one of the better finalists. I really liked the flute at the beginning and during certain other parts of the song, as well as the song itself. This was grossly under-rated at 25th place and 9 points, I think this deserved about 10th or 11th.

Song 18: Finland - Softengine "Something Better" (11th place, 72 points)

This rock song from Finland was one of a few songs on my "Wouldn't mind qualifying" list Thursday evening. Based on the Grand Final performance alone, it was a reasonable song with a really catchy chorus, but not one of the best songs of the night. 11th place and 72 points was perhaps a bit high, I think 13th to 16th would have been about right for this middle of the road song.

Song 19: Spain - Ruth Lorenzo "Dancing in the rain" (10th place, 74 points)

Now for the fourth Big Five entry. This time Spain went for a beautiful ballad, which was very well sung and appropriately enhanced by the rain effect on the background screens. This was certainly one of the better finalists, albeit not the best. 10th place and 74 points was about right for this entry.

Song 20: Switzerland - Sebalter "Hunter Of Stars" (13th place, 64 points)

Switzerland was another of my "Wouldn't mind qualifying" contenders Thursday evening. A catchy, lively song accompanied by one man on the drum kit and another man playing the banjo, as well as some whistling. 13th place and 64 points was about right for this, it certainly wasn't good enough for top ten.

Song 21: Hungary - András Kállay-Saunders "Running" (5th place, 143 points)

I first saw the preview video online just six days after running the Bath Half Family Fun Run 2014 on Sunday 2 March (more about that here), and sort of liked it straight away just for the chorus line "She keeps on running, running, running". Since then I've increasingly liked it whilst listening to the CD album. This was among the songs I most wanted to qualify in Semi-Final 1 Tuesday evening, and I was overjoyed it went through. This is a good ballad; although the verses are slow it has a really lively, catchy chorus. Based on the Grand Final performance alone, it was one of the best songs of the night, very well sung, an outstanding performance which definitely deserved its top five placing.

Song 22: Malta - Firelight "Coming Home" (23rd place, 32 points)

Malta was another song on my "Wouldn't mind qualifying" list. Their entry was performed by a six-member band Firelight, two of whom played acoustic guitars and one of whom played an upright piano. This was certainly one of the weaker finalists, 23rd place and 32 points was about as much as this deserved.

Song 23: Denmark - Basim "Cliche Love Song" (9th place, 74 points)

Now for the host nation Denmark. I was unimpressed by this song on the CD album, and didn't think much of the Grand Final performance either. The song itself is quite a disappointing effort compared to the winning entry "Only Teardrops" last year. This was grossly over-rated at 9th place and 74 points; there's no way this poor effort deserved a top ten placing. Somewhere between 15th to 20th would have been more appropriate for this weak effort.

Song 24: The Netherlands - The Common Linnets "Calm After The Storm" (2nd place, 238 points)

Well done to The Netherlands reaching the final for the second year running, after their eight year run of failing to qualify 2005 to 2012 inclusive. This was one of the songs I most wanted to qualify Tuesday evening, I'm pleased it got through. The Netherlands chose a country song; I particularly like the use of the white lines on the stage early on to represent a road. Altogether an excellent performance of a great song, it was one of the best finalists this evening, which I expected to finish well in the top ten. I was amazed and surprised to see it finish second with 238 points; although higher than I expected this song deserved it well.

Song 25: San Marino - Valentina Monetta "Maybe (Forse)" (24th place, 14 points)

Valentina previously tried representing San Marino with "The Social Network Song" in 2012 and "Crisalide (Vola)" in 2013, both of which failed to qualify. This year she returned with "Maybe (Forse)" and thankfully reached the final, third time lucky for her. Furthermore this was San Marino's first ever Grand Final appearance since their debut entry in 2008. Well done to Valentina in getting to the final at last, this was the one song I most wanted to qualify Tuesday evening, and was extremely overjoyed it went through. This evening Valentina gave a first class performance of a really beautiful ballad which was, in my opinion, one of the best finalists. 24th place and 14 points was an insult, this masterpiece deserved a top five position.

Song 26: United Kingdom - Molly "Children of the Universe" (17th place, 40 points)

The final song of the night was the fifth Big Five entry, United Kingdom. Molly sang a power ballad "Children of the Universe", which had a really powerful, catchy chorus. Accompanied by backing singers and a man on the drum kit, this was one of the better songs of the night. This was grossly under-rated at 17th place and 40 points, it deserved a top ten placing.

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Tele-voting and Recap

At this point Nikolaj and Pilou reappeared. Firstly they gave their thanks to the national commentators. Graham Norton, the BBC commentator for the UK was given special treatment in that a shot of him in his box was shown, and Graham had the chance to say a few words. The audience was asked to give a round of applause to all the commentators. Next Nikolaj and Pilou to announced the start of the voting. The voting lines opened and a recap of the songs followed. Viewers had about 20 minutes in which to cast their votes. When the UK's song extract appeared (last of all), a caption at the bottom of the screen stated "UK VIEWERS CANNOT VOTE FOR THE UK ENTRY" and "Your vote won't count and you may still be charged." Were any UK viewers foolish enough to try dialling the voting stem with 26 at the end? I tried voting during the first recap, but since the voting lines were engaged, I had to wait until later.

After the first recap of the songs it was time for the interval. The first part of the interval featured people climbing ladders whilst singing "Joyful". Next Nikolaj sat at a grand piano, for a song about the number 12, which corresponds to the top score a country may award in Eurovision. The song mentioned examples of 12, including 12 knights around King Arthur's table and 12 disciples of Jesus. Once that song finished, Lise spoke to 11 year old Gaia from Malta who won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013. After that, there were six minutes of voting time still available, so a second recap of the songs was given. At this point I tried to vote again, this time I managed to vote for Austria, Hungary and San Marino. Shortly after this recap ended, there was a 10 second countdown to the moment the lines closed.

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Interval Act

Once the voting lines closed, Nikolaj reappeared to give a short speech. Following a guided tour of the Eurovision Museum, Lise spoke to some of the contenders in the Green Room. Nikolaj and Pilou reappeared to introduce the main interval act. The main act consisted of two parts. Firstly Emmelie de Forest performed last year's winning song "Only Teardrops" again. Secondly she sang "Rainmaker" (aka "#Join Us"), a song specially written for the interval. During this song, there were people in the pool at the front of the stage, and all the competing artists of the final assembled on stage. Towards the end members of the audience were shown waving their arms and singing along to the song. Whilst the audience was on screen, I waved my arms and joined in with the song.

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Voting Time

Once "Rainmaker" had finished, Lise reappeared seated next to Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest. Jon said the votes had all been counted and they were ready to gather the results from around Europe. Nikolaj and Pilou reappeared to introduce the voting, starting with Azerbaijan.

All 37 countries, including the 11 which failed to qualify, voted in the final. The voting order was:
Azerbaijan, Greece, Poland, Albania, San Marino, Denmark, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, The Netherlands, Malta, France, United Kingdom, Latvia, Armenia, Iceland, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Sweden, Belarus, Germany, Israel, Portugal, Norway, Estonia, Hungary, Moldova, Ireland, Finland, Lithuania, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Ukraine, Switzerland, Georgia, Slovenia.

Early on it was unclear who would win. Eventual winners Austria were off the mark from the very beginning, albeit just one point from Azerbaijan who were first to vote. Russia were the initial leaders with 12 points from Azerbaijan. Austria's first 12-point score came from Greece, who were second to call, but that only put Austria into fourth place, leaving Russia still in the lead (thanks to other points cast by Greece). Poland's 10 points to Switzerland, 12 points to The Netherlands and nothing to Austria pushed Austria to 6th place, whilst keeping Russia in the lead. Albania's 5 points to Austria and 8 points to Hungary put Hungary in the joint lead with Russia and Austria in 5th place. San Marino awarded nothing to Austria or Russia, 2 points to The Netherlands, 7 to Hungary and 10 to Sweden, pushing Austria to 6th place again, and Hungary into the lead and Russia 4th. Denmark's 3 points to Hungary, 8 points to Austria, 10 points to The Netherlands and 12 points to Sweden put Sweden in the lead, and Austria 4th. Montenegro's votes left Hungary in the lead, Sweden 2nd place, The Netherlands 3rd place and Austria 4th place. Romania's vote put Austria in 3rd place, Sweden 2nd and Hungary 1st. This top three remained unchanged by the votes from both Russia and The Netherlands. Malta's votes changed the top three to Sweden 1st, Hungary 2nd and Austria 3rd. Austria first took the lead when France gave them 10 points. After that, Austria maintained their lead after each subsequent country's complete set of votes had been announced.

12 of the 26 finalists received at least one 12 point vote. The number of 12 point votes received by each of those 12 countries is shown in the table below.

12 points to	No of 12s Received
Austria	13
The Netherlands	8
Armenia	3
Sweden	3
Montenegro	2
Russia	2
Azerbaijan	1
Belarus	1
Hungary	1
Italy	1
Romania	1
Spain	1

Notice that the highest number of 12-point scores (13 altogether) were received by the eventual winners Austria. The Netherlands, who finished second overall, received the second highest number of 12-point scores (8 altogether).

The 13 countries which awarded 12 points to Austria were: Greece, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Sweden, Israel, Portugal, Ireland, Finland, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia. 19 countries gave between 1 and 10 points to Austria. Interestingly Austria received at least one of each points level (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-10-12). Four countries (other than Austria itself) gave no points at all to Austria, those being Poland, San Marino, Armenia, Belarus. The number of times Austria received each particular points level (or no points at all) is summarised in the following table:

Points level	To Austria
0	4
1	1
2	1
3	1
4	1
5	2
6	1
7	2
8	3
10	7
12	13

The complete list of 12-point scores and points awarded to Austria is shown below:

#	Calling country	12 points to	Points to Austria
1	Azerbaijan	Russia	1
2	Greece	Austria	12
3	Poland	The Netherlands	0
4	Albania	Spain	5
5	San Marino	Azerbaijan	0
6	Denmark	Sweden	8
7	Montenegro	Hungary	2
8	Romania	Sweden	8
9	Russia	Belarus	5
10	The Netherlands	Austria	12
11	Malta	Italy	10
12	France	Armenia	10
13	United Kingdom	Austria	12
14	Latvia	The Netherlands	6
15	Armenia	Montenegro	0
16	Iceland	The Netherlands	10
17	F.Y.R. Macedonia	Montenegro	3
18	Sweden	Austria	12
19	Belarus	Russia	0
20	Germany	The Netherlands	7
21	Israel	Austria	12
22	Portugal	Austria	12
23	Norway	The Netherlands	10
24	Estonia	The Netherlands	4
25	Hungary	The Netherlands	10
26	Moldova	Romania	7
27	Ireland	Austria	12
28	Finland	Austria	12
29	Lithuania	The Netherlands	10
30	Austria	Armenia	n/a
31	Spain	Austria	12
32	Belgium	Austria	12
33	Italy	Austria	12
34	Ukraine	Sweden	8
35	Switzerland	Austria	12
36	Georgia	Armenia	10
37	Slovenia	Austria	12

The five Nordic countries exchanged points with each other as follows:

Calling country	Denmark	Finland	Iceland	Norway	Sweden
Denmark	n/a	4	5	6	12
Finland	6	n/a	0	7	10
Iceland	8	5	n/a	1	7
Norway	1	7	6	n/a	8
Sweden	8	6	4	3	n/a

Notice that Finland gave no points to Iceland. Iceland gave just one point to Norway, and Norway gave just one point to Denmark. It just goes to show, contrary to what some may think, the Nordic countries don't necessarily award points (let alone high points) to every other Nordic finalist.

The ex-Yugoslav countries voted in an interesting manner, as outlined in the following table.

Calling country	Montenegro	Slovenia
F.Y.R. Macedonia	12	1
Montenegro	n/a	8
Slovenia	7	n/a

Notice that F.Y.R. Macedonia, who failed to reach the final, gave 12 points to Montenegro but only one point to Slovenia. Clearly the ex-Yugoslav countries don't necessarily award each other high marks. Since Slovenia's final score was just 9 points, one can clearly see it received all its points from F.Y.R. Macedonia and Montenegro only. However Montenegro's points from F.Y.R. Macedonia and Slovenia totalled 19 points, thus to achieve its final score of 37 points it required votes from other countries. Of course Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia weren't able to vote as none of them entered this year.

A total of 9 countries gave points to the UK, as follows:

Calling country	Points to UK
Ireland	8
Denmark	7
San Marino	5
Spain	5
Iceland	4
Malta	4
Georgia	3
Norway	3
Belgium	1

There were a few other unexpected surprises in the voting. Portugal gave no points to Spain. Evidently they don't always give points, let alone top ones, to Spain. Belgium gave 8 points to The Netherlands and 12 points to Austria, thereby surprising people like me expecting them to automatically give The Netherlands 12 points as their Benelux partner.

After Spain announced their votes, the top four was 1) Austria 224, 2) The Netherlands 206, 3) Sweden 180, 4) Armenia 152. These four countries had already announced their votes, but with six other countries still to vote, 72 points were still available to any one of these countries. The Netherlands or Sweden could easily overtake Austria and win. If Austria got no more points and Armenia received all remaining 72 points, Armenia would equal Austria on 224, thereby necessitating the tie break rule. Graham Norton said "It's too early to say, but I think she's going to do it".

After Belgium announced their votes, the top four was 1) Austria 236, 2) The Netherlands 214, 3) Sweden 190, 4) Armenia 152. With five countries still to vote, up to 60 points were still available to one of these countries. The maximum Armenia could possibly reach now was 212 points, meaning they could not catch Austria or even The Netherlands. However The Netherlands or Sweden could overtake Austria and win. It was now a three-horse race between Austria, The Netherlands and Sweden to win. Graham Norton said "No Conchita, you haven't won it yet".

After Italy announced their votes, the top three was 1) Austria 248, 2) The Netherlands 218, 3) Sweden 190. With four countries still to vote, up 48 points were available. Sweden could no longer win (the maximum they could now reach was 238 points), but The Netherlands, currently 30 points behind Austria, could still win (maximum possible score 266). It was now just a two-horse race, Austria against The Netherlands for the winner.

Austria finally became uncatchable after Ukraine announced their points. The top three was now 1) Austria 256, 2) The Netherlands 218, 3) Sweden 202. Austria were now 38 points ahead of The Netherlands. With three countries still to vote, a maximum of 36 points was available to any one of those countries. The worst case scenario that could now occur was 1) Austria 256, 2) The Netherlands 254. Nikolaj and Pilou reappeared, Nikolaj said "Ladies and gentlemen, we have done the maths, it's no secret anymore. Austria is in the lead, and it's no longer possible for any other country to catch up. We are ready to announce the winner. The winner is Austria. At this point Austria was officially announced as the Eurovision Song Contest Winner 2014, accompanied by fanfare.

Afterwards the remaining three countries Switzerland, Georgia and Slovenia announced their points. Once Georgia had announced theirs, The Netherlands were guaranteed second place.

Austria won with 290 points. With a possible maximum of 12 points from each of the other 36 countries (including the 11 semi-finalists which failed to qualify), i.e.432, Austria won with 67.1% of the maximum possible score. That's higher than last year when Denmark won with 61.6% of the maximum possible score for 2013, i.e. 456. The record for the winner with the highest percentage of the maximum possible score since 1975 still rests with United Kingdom - Brotherhood of Man "Save Your Kisses For Me"; 80.4% in 1976.

France finished last with just deux points. It's only thanks to them receiving 1 point from Sweden and 1 point from Finland that they escaped the dreaded nul points.

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Reprise

After Conchita was awarded the winner's trophy, Nikolaj, Pilou and Lise appeared on stage together to give the closing speech. Finally Conchita performed the winning song "Rise Like a Phoenix" again. After the song ended, the closing credits rolled, accompanied by the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 theme tune. This differed from last year when the closing credits were overlaid on the reprise performance of the winning song. Finally Eurovision ident accompanied by Charpentier's Te Deum prelude "Marche en rondeau", marking the end of the show.

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And Finally

Altogether another great Contest. Many thanks to DR for producing such a spectacular Grand Final. As always it was good to have a mixture of song styles in the final. Most of the songs were OK or very good; there were just a few that I'd rather not have qualified to the final (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Poland, Greece). I still think that Belgium and Portugal should have had the places taken by Azerbaijan and Armenia Tuesday evening, and that Israel and Ireland definitely deserved the places Poland and Greece took Thursday evening.

Congratulations to Austria in winning for the first time since their previous (and only) win in 1966. That means Austria now take the record for longest gap between wins: 48 years (1966 - 2014), beating the previous record held by Denmark of 37 years (1963 - 2000). Austria must be really proud to have won again after almost half a century. If you look back at their recent years' performance, they gave the Contest a miss 2008 to 2010 inclusive, returned in 2011 and reached the final, and failed to qualify in 2012 and 2013. This year they won both the second semi-final (and hence qualified) and won the grand final with 290 points. "Rise Like a Phoenix" sung by Conchita Wurst is a well-deserved winner, it was a first class performance of an excellent song which reminded me of a James Bond film theme. It just goes to show, never give up!

Well done to the Netherlands too in coming second. After their eight year run of entering every year and failing to qualify 2005 to 2012 inclusive, and finishing 9th in the final with "Birds" last year, their entry this year "Calm After The Storm" by The Common Linnets finished second with 238 points. Their entry too was a good song which I quite liked. If this is anything to go by, it looks like the Netherlands could be enjoying a revival. Will they win next year? Time will tell.

Commiserations to the UK's Molly, whose "Children of the Universe" finished 17th with 40 points; I thought she deserved better and ought to have finished in the top ten. Looking positively though, 17th out of 26 finalists isn't that bad; 9 finalists finished below the UK, and a further 11 countries failed to reach the final. The UK and other countries who didn't win should remember that the important thing is not to win, but to participate.

Roll on the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest from Austria. Can ORF do as well or better? Time will tell. Mark my words, next year's Contest will tell another story as far as the results go. Who knows, the UK might win next year!

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