Face you, you can't ignore it. There you are sitting in on a Saturday night, bored out of your brain and you do the thing, you swore you'd never do again since they started to ignore this beautiful isle and turned it into a "Block Party". Yes you are watching the Eurovision.
The Balkans, who only a few years previously were at loggerheads in horrid conflict, now seem to love each other thanks to this wonderful musical extravaganza. The bleeding Scandinavians were always crooked at it but now Western Europe has to put up with the Balkans, The Baltic's and anybody still afraid of Russia.
First and foremost you can usually draw a line though all the West. Rules have changed so that it's not all televoting and now a combined system of phones and the better system of qualified judges, When will people learn, democracy never works.
Now however the Germans are coming for money. At a super skinny 4/1 , the theory being, the top 4 countries UK, Spain, Germany and France, the people putting the most money into this farce better have a winner soon or Croatia, Serbia and Co will have to have their own singing competition amongst themselves. Sung by Lena Meyer it has become a cult hit in Germany with over 9 million youtube hits but I can't see why, John Mulholland took a €1000 bet on them last week which is big dust in a novelty market where people tend to throw a fun €5 or so to enjoy the action. I can't see it personally but the youtube guide can be a great indicator.
Azerbajan is the favourite, it has never won and my music mole says this one has a big Eurovision profile. Soft ballad, sexy cailin but does it have the block buddies to get it over the line at this kind of price: now 6/4 from 5/1
Ireland have little or no chance despite a past champion in Niamh Kavanagh giving it a lash. The hope is that it will make it past the semi's at best but we will see a vote shortage in the final. Maybe our comrades in Greece will give us some point. We are expected to get past the semi final butaybe we should of sent Jedward or Crystal Swing to bring us back the glory: 18/1
Israel is another one for money. I think its a horrid song that is one for a trip to the kettle: 8/1
Croatia could be a real dark horse. 3 talented easy on the eyes female singers, it is quite similar to a winner from Serbia, if you want a wee interest at a big price, this could be the one: 33/1
Belgium had a nice one also and has been backed into a shorter price. A mix between a Paulo Nultini number and my lovely horse: 16/1
Verdict: the money is never normally wrong so don't be surprised to see Azerbaijan triumph. I would have a speculative each way bet on Croatia at a backable price and sit back and enjoy the action
