"I would understand this barrage of criticism if "the four greats (UK, France, Germany and Spain)", who are great only for political and financial reasons irrespective of what sub-standard musical effort they send to Eurovision, had tried a bit harder and sent a good song sung by talented singers.
"Eastern countries" try much harder as they do not view this competition as a kitschfest - maybe that's where their success is based. It is the Western countries that should try to shake off this ridiculous cliche and start treating Eurovision with a bit of creativity and open-mindedness (just look at Georgian and Bulgarian songs - they could proudly sit on any Bjork or Madonna CD).
The Serbian ballad is strong and does not depend on trollies and outdated gimmicks to conceal the performers lack of talent. Serbia has brought back music to this contest. Have a bit of decency and congratulate Serbia on this convincing victory!

Zeljko, London, UK

As an American completely outside of the European political scene (mostly, anyway), I feel I must say that the BBC is right -- "sour grapes" is probably the best description of much of Western Europe's reaction. Of all of my friends here in the States who watched the finals and previewed the songs and videos, I don't know anyone who enjoyed the UK, French, or German songs. Because, quite honestly, they sucked. Ireland's song was good, but she had almost no voice control the night of the performance. Personally, I liked Spain's, but it didn't wow me. Both Serbia and the Ukraine did. I'm sure there is some bias, but it cuts every way (I'm sorry, but the UK did not deserve twelve from Malta).

My point? Yes, the Big Four may bankroll the show. And yes, they may have done poorly this year. But perhaps it's simply because they chose bad songs and didn't perform well at the finals. Perhaps.

Patrick, Athens, Georgia (United States)

I was seriously amazed by the political charade I had to witness on Eurovision night. This contest clearly needs a different voting system because otherwise it could dangerously effect the way people feel about the European Union as well.
I've already promised myself not to watch this show ever again unless something changes.
Fair enough, Serbia had a good song but all the countries following on the lower places had nothing to do with good music. Some countries with quite remarkable song didn't even get past the semi-finals thanks to this scam. Of course I personally hoped for the Andorran band to reach at least the finals because they would have brough something different to the contest- the performed a punk rock song instead of the usual pop crap eurovision shows. But thanks to the fact that we have no Eastern European neighbours that never happened. I personally thought the German song should have won

Rita, La Massana, Andorra

they should be disquolified.....stolen song from albania...shame on you...

silvia, london, uk

To have a fair voting system this contest should be split into a Western and an Eastern Eurovision one in the semifinals I think. Otherwise some countries never even have a chance to get through to the final because of the neighbour countries voting for each other only.

Rita, Freiberg, Germany

I enjoy the Eurovision Song Contest actually whether tactical voting exists or not - if the song's good, there's no judgemental voice on my part.

The question is:

How do we make it a fair competition so as to get the best song at the top?

Coll B. Lue, London, UK

omg just deal with it that Serbia had the best song that night...GB had a song that noone liked because it was bad.Russian song was good too and Ukraina was so entraining.It is not problem that east vote for their neighbours the problem is that west had baaaad songs.east is trying harder.send good song next year and you can win...peace

Sandra, Belgrade, Serbia

Serbia was banned from Eurovision because of UN sanctions, FRYugoslavia, later Serbia and Montenegro did not participate since 1992 until 2004. In 2006, because Serbia and Montenegro got into the process of separation they could not agree on Eurovision representative and therefore no one came to EV 2006. This is Times and show some dignity! And do take care that your commentators are at least well informed.

Marijana, Belgrade, Serbia

The UK song although not a winning song was better than some. It deserved to do better than it did. It was a similar type of act to the Ukraine if you think about it, and they came second. I think what people object mainly to is the fact we are one of the main contributors to an expensive show which is not very professionally run, and really is not of much interest to the British people yet we are made to pay for it. We want a choice to pull out and put our money into something we care about.

al, UK,

I voted for Germany... really great song, but maybe English version will be better, on German language swing jazz...(I am not sure)... There were a lot of great songs, but people liked "Molitva"...

I am listening most the jazz, so Marija's song are POP, but this one for Eurovision was really good.

Interesting fact was that she won the "Beovizija", our local competition (the finalist go to Eurovision), very close....
So maybe try to split UK for competition to Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England, and you will have 36 points for one country.... (of course this was a joke) :-)

Marko, Belgrade, Serbia

Can we please build the iron curtain again? (not really!).
I miss the early days of Western European countries competing with each other.

Frank, Sydney, Australia

The comment that the women from Russia said that the west send the same every year is absolute crap… Scotch and Javine are very similar!!! and the jazz German and the old blonde country singer from Germany is similar!!!!… oh yes and the gay French act and the Ballard the previous year are similar!!!! SHUT UP AND ACTUALLY WATCH THE THING.

The UK song was for the first time in a long time what the competition is about - It was upbeat, catchy, colourful and most importantly GAY. that’s what Eurovision is about… you just got to look at the audience to see that. The fact that people say the the UK has sent poor acts in previous years is CRAP. Javine.. Touch my fire was a great song… similar to Greece which won, personally and most importantly it was better.. So why did Greece win, political voting and neighbour loving.

Chris, LONDON,

As all of the neighbours vote for each other, as do the countries with something in common, there's no point even having any songs. The "competition" could then simply be restricted to voting only. "The Eurovision Voting Contest"

E J Murray, Kerry, Ireland

I would understand this barrage of criticism if "the four greats (UK, France, Germany and Spain)", who are great only for political and financial reasons and who therefore always qualify for the final, irrespective of what sub-standard musical effort they send to Eurovision, had tried a bit harder and sent good songs sung by talented singers.
"Eastern countries" try much harder as they do not view this competition as a kitschfest - maybe that's where their success is based. It is the Western countries that should try to shake off this ridiculous cliche and start treating Eurovision with a bit of creativity and open-mindedness (just look at Georgian and Bulgarian songs - they could proudly sit on any Bjork or Madonna CD).
The Serbian ballad is strong and does not depend on trollies and outdated gimmicks to conceal the performers lack of talent. Serbia has brought music back to the "song" contest. Have a bit of decency and congratulate Serbia on this convincing victory!

Zeljko, London, UK

It was entirely obvious that the German entry was the best. It was also entirely obvious that they would never win, they didn't even come close. The fact that these eastern european countries are so small helps them immensly too. There is so many of them, in similar areas, with similar cultures that of course they will win. If England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland were all seperate, we too would prefer songs in our own language, and of our own cultural kind, and we would have an advantage of 4 voting countries instead of 2. Note that we too, tactically voted. Being an island also, obviously puts you at a disadvantage.

Sarah, London, UK

The "Sun", wrote that the Serbian song is stolen. well... old habits seeem to die hard. They were thrown out of the Eurovision a coiple of years ago for this kind of thing...Maybe they should be banned and learn how to create their own music.

Yevski, St Petersburg,

You are sooo sad.Is it so hard to say"Congratulations" to the winning song? You keep saying that for you Eurosong is A joke but you are so offended..it is very funny actually.

Sandra, Balkan,

Calm down everyone: it's only a song contest.

david Masu, Züirch,

Greece didn't get only neighbour votes to win back in 2005. If a song is good enough, everybody votes for it. As for the UK, since you discovered a new state called "Macedonia" , you also have to discover a way to get out of this crisis on your own...no "12" from us I'm afraid...

akis, athens, greece

eastern countries for their neighbours (natural). The West votes East too! It's all demographics!! Eastern Immigrants in the west are naturally very patriotic and will vote en masse in favour of their original countries! You can be sure that everysingle Serb or Bosnian serb from Norway to Italy will have voted for Serbia. Portugal with a large Ukrainian and Moldovan immigrant community gives 12 and 10 repsectively for years in a row. Spain always gives 12 to Romania. It is the immigrants (who are many more than the public statistics will ever reveal) who decide this biased voting.

Paulo, Lisbon, Portugal

Was it just me or was that male local Finnish co-host onstage in Helsinki really really good-looking? they could have just showed him on camera for 3 hours non-stop and spared all the ridiculous songs.

JC, Midlands,

Folks, folks, face up to the facts! The eastern Europeans just try that little bit harder and it shows. Their songs are better, their singers are better and they know how to put on a visually stunning performance. The Serbian song was truly beautiful.

By contrast the British song was awful and our (Irish) song was even worse. Here, no singer or composer with any street cred will touch the Eurovision with a barge pole. I imagine it's the same in the UK. The bottom line is we're not sending out our best artists while eastern countries are. Why blame them? Either we take the Eurovision seriously or we give up!

Ciarán , Cavan, Ireland

Although I did not waste my evening watching this ridiculous piece of television...I have wasted some time today reading about it. If everyone feels this way (much along the lines of Big Brother) why does anyone watch it?

It is less than trivial in the world and when the UK has as much disrespect for the idea of being part of europe it seems odd that it plugs away at this every year.

Every country will vote for it's friends, for the culture it best understands and for the language it best understands. Scooch was chosen by a public vote, which is a very reliable way to do it, and therefore was the song the uk felt was right. If it was rubbish (never heard it myself - don't know) it's kind of your own fault...!

Italy stopped competing years ago because (according to T Wogan) it did not understand why europe did not think its music was the best in the world. Maybe the response was a good one, even if the reasoning was flawed.

**cuffleyburgers, a fellow lucchese?!

La Tosca Gelateria, Lucca,

"friendly neighbours?" - consider that Serbia or the Serbs have been at war, or as good as, with many of these countries within recent years....is there really that level of good-feeling ?

Perhaps more to the point: Serbian can be understood by speakers of many other Slav languages to some extent; the song wasn't too bad and I'm told the lyrics are quite good.

AB, Cheshire, UK

The women from Slovenia said that the UK need to get rid of TERRY WOGAN… the day this happened the UK will be out of Eurovision.. Terry Wogans commentary and his comments… which if you didn’t like I would not read or listen to them .. Is the only reason why people from this side of the channel watch it.

SO STOP SAYING THAT THE UK DON’T CARE
…. 51.3% of the UK TV watchers watched Eurovision… I admit we don’t all vote but when a pore display of music… particularly the so called Diana look alike from Belarus… who looks nothing like here and had a version of English that no one understood… who blames us for not voting..
The only reason why people in the UK watch this programme is to look at what rubbish comes out of Europe. I don’t think I will be seeing Serbia in the UK, USA or any other country that actually listens to decent music’s top 10.

Chris, LONDON,

The situation is fairly obvious after a close analysis of cultures, nations, and populations. The UK, with a population of over 60 million, gets the same amount of points as Montenegro, population 700,000 or Serbia and Hungary, each with a Population of 10,000,000, or Croata pop. 5,000,000 etc...
A quick recount of the population of the balkans will show that although they have a population that is smaller than the UK, they have at least 6 times the voting power, and are naturally more likely to vote for a culture bearing more similarities to thiers. This isn't a delibearte bias, or cultural insentitivity. It is a natural fact which completely ruins the result of the competition for larger countries. Until a fairer method for judging is agreed, this show will be the laughing stock of all shows in Western Europe. Or we could produce an excellent song, which is something the Eastern Europeans don't necessarily have to do, hence the claimes of unfairness.

Alex Kay, Montreal, Canada

Serbia's song was deeply moving and most people around Europe are delighted that for once substance proved more important than the package. Of course there was neighborly voting, but Serbia was voted by 36 of the 41 nations participating. The likes of England, Malta and Ireland used to dominate the competition when there was a native language rule and they were the only ones singing in English. The end result was a series of uninspiring (to say the least) victories for Ireland that brought Eurovision to its lowest point ever and, thankfully, a change of the rules. How dare they complain now?
Bloc-voting is a concomitant evil of the entry of East European nations. But on the upside, they rejuvenated the competition and brought some real talent in, since they are the ones actually taking it seriously. I agree that west european countries are at a disadvantage whatever they do. But that is a reason to try harder, not send Scooch and become the laughing-stock of Europe!

vangelis, athens, greece

Block voting is irritating and at one point while shouting at the TV I vowed never to watch Eurovision again. But after I calmed down I realised that the best song had, at the end of the day, won. As long as this happens the competition is valid.
With regards to the UK, how many friends did it expect to make emblazoning the Union Jack all over the set? and then adding the other flags as an obvious afterthought? If say France did a number with the French flag everywhere you can imagine the response over here. The UK lost because it wasn't very good - not because of biased voting.

Andrea, Bristol, UK

Give me a break. If the western European countries actually wanted to win the Eurovision song contest, they would. Instead they release rubbish songs and claim it's good music, knowing full well that they and everyone else in their country think it's a pile of rubbish.

Ireland would win of course, because they're good at that sort of thing.

Martin, Cork, Ireland

Countries in the East are taking this competition very seriously. Look at Serbian entry. Marija Serifovic is one of the best vocals in Serbia well known in ex Yugoslavia. Radio Television of Serbia organised tour in many countries. Marija made Finish, Russian, English and disco version of the song. The choreographer was the best known Serbian theatre director. Gucci made the dress of back vocal.. And after such a big preparation you can expect good results. The same was with Ukraine, Turkey (they send their best singer), Greece (last year they send their best singer Ana Vissi), Macedonia (they send the best known singer),...
I have suggestion for British people. Next year select your best singer (Robbie Williams for example), put him in Gucci dress, make him to sing versions of the song in Russian, produce good video for MTV, organise tour to Estonia, Turkey, Macedonia.... And you will see that votes will come!

Milorad, Belgrade, Serbia

It's the story every time - UK sends some childish trash into
contest and then wonder how come they loose *every time*.
Undoubtly the voting system has bloc effect but let's face it -
Eastern Europe songs were better overall, esp. Bulgaria,
Georgia and Serbia. Go to to youtube and watch them again.

Jyrki, Tampere, Finland

Mike from Leeds.

Serbia got points from EVERY voting country EXCEPT Andorra, Estonia, Lithuania and Turkey. What do you say to that? There are virtually no Yugoslavs in Finland, yet Finland gave its 12 points to Serbia too. Hmmm? Besides, if all this nonsense about tactical and political voting of the "Balkan bloc" were actually true how do you explain the fact Croatia and Montenegro didn't even qualify?

Get over yourselves.

Lili, Tours, France

How bitter can one get? Even those who claim that Eurosong is a load of kitschy rubbish, but not only do they watch it, but get worked up about it too!

Is it not enough that "the big four" are in the finals no matter what? Evidently not. You'd like to change the voting system too. Stop being pathetic, please! I'd advise you to make up your mind. Is Eurosong a load of rubbish (in which case the fact Serbia won wouldn't be splashed all over every single paper today, nor would it be the main topic of every talk show and internet message board) or perhaps it is a respectable competition (in which case it wouldn't hurt to put some effort and serious thought in to selecting your next year's entry instead of sending ridiculous acts such as Scooch).

Lana, Paris, France

Neighbourliness and bloc voting have nothing to do with the outcome of the Eurovision although geographical proximity and recent historical relationships do have a part to play.
It's all about ex-pats and other ethnic minorities. That's why Germany vote for Turkey and Ireland votes for Lithuania and all the FYR states vote for Serbia. It's because Turkish people in Germany vote for Turkey, Lithuanians in Ireland vote for Lithuania and Serbs in the FYRs vote for Serbia.
Ex-pats are much more likely to vote because they want to help their homeland. The locals can't vote for themselves so, in general, don't vote at all - in particular in western Europe where the interest levels have wained considerably. The space for non-partisan quality-based voting is tiny...

Steve, Cork, Ireland

in reality we are not really dealing with an Eastern Block but much rather a "Slavic Bloc". The Slavic states have been cooperating and supporting each other since the break up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This is now continuing and seriously endangering the balance of power in Europe, not only the Eurovision Song Contest. The Czechs, Poles and Slovaks expelled 14 million Germans and get away with it to this very day- with the help of the UK and others. The UK fails to recognise the current trend. Instead of strengthening bonds with their German and French brothers and sisters (as the English are in fact a Germanic people with strong Gaelic and French influence) they seek to destroy attempts to bring the three Western European cultures together.

Peter, Berne, Switzerland,

why should the bbc bother putting money into the eurovision contest when it is a lost cause it dont matter how good the singers are which i must admit the uk hasnt entered someone who can sing since terry had all his marbles ha ha but if you want to win emigrate to the balkens thats your only chance

Glyn, Whitchurch, hants

I was outraged this year by Eurovision! Our entry was the best we have sent in a LONG TIME, reminiscent of Bucks Fizz. The arena reaction said it all our song was very well recieved. However the overwhelming amount of new states who adopt vote sharing system now leaves the contest completely different from what it is intended to be! Maybe we should change the contest to the Balkan/Warsaw Pact Vision Song Contest as it is only these nations entries which even register! There is no way of combating the POLITCAL (yes shut my mouth) voting as it does dominate the competition more so than ever. Forget blaming it on the Iraqi conflict, the cause is simple a huge increase in new cometitors who come from the eastern block. Terry hit the nail on head as per usual! Lets change it or pull out from the shamble that is the Euro Vision Song Contest

Mark S. Bynre, Liverpool, UK

Well what can i say. The Finns organized the competition very well I thought . The songs were pretty awful and the block voting is only suprising to people who have not expereinced Eastern Europe close up. I for better or worse have for a number of years lived in this region ,I was just suprised to see ths bias elevated to something like the Eurovision song contest. I would suggest that the big financial backers from Western Europe reduce their spending on the competition drastically in light of the success of block voting ,in what will now surely be a regular feature of the song contest.

A.T. Martin, Warsaw, Poland

Why are people moaning just because the uk did not do well. if uk had won there wouldn’t be this debit. Our entry was rubbish this year anyway. You can expect tactical voting because of friendships between countries which, fare enough is a bit of a scam. uk didn’t have "friends" voting for us because most other countries don’t like us because the war in irac. But the voting worked out because the best where at the top. Ukraine should of won though, grate song

David Fehilly, Glasgow, Scotland

It couldn't be that the Serbian song was the best by any chance? It was one of four 'winners' my wife and I picked during the contest. Oh, and the British entry? It was absolutely naff - the triumph of presentation over content. A fitting tribute to the end of Tony Blair perhaps?

Roderick Low, Creysse, France

I bet $1 million that in 2008:

Croatia gives 12 to Serbia
Malta gives 12 to UK
Cyprus gives 12 to Greece
Lithuania gives 12 to Russia

I could go on forever... It's a joke

Mike, Leeds, UK

I don't know how the big 4 countries are said to pay so much...

Finland's this year's contest cost 12 million euros. 3 million came from EBU (Eurovision broadcasting union), 4 million from Finnish state, 5 million from YLE, the Finnish broadcasting company and hundreds of voluntary workers did their share.
So, EBU is all the countires that take part in the contest and of this poor 3 million euros, how much of that did these "4 big" payers pay? I only wonder...

Saija Korpi, Espoo, Finland

If the UK entered better songs that would be accepted across Europe and not enter brit pop then maybe they would have a chance. and I agree with Ukrme - it would be good to see a results analysis as so far I think the votes represented the musical tastes of Europe and sadly Irish music is not that popular!

John Ryan, Cork, Ireland

Whether you enjoy the kitch joke that is Eurovision or not, the fact of the matter is that "thanks to the unique way in which the BBC is funded", a lot of the mandatory licence fee is spent in a completely unjustified manner. Not sure which is worse, Eurovision or the stillborn "Davina" show. The BBC crapfest continues unabated.

Dan, Hampton, UK

I am simply amazed that people still watch such rubbish. It says little for the taste or intelligence of the vast majority of Europeans that this bizarre circus still garners so much support from viewers.

Chris Smith, Harrogate, UK

I thought that Serbia had the best vocals, Russia had the best song and the Ukraine was the most entertaining. They deserved the top three positions, considering the tripe we send to Eurovision each year I think that sitting around saying it's all political is just us being sore losers. How about next year we take the competition as a big party and send a decent act?

Steph, London,

First of all the author is not exactly accurate as the were no Baltic countries (none of the are slavic) in top 10. Second, people in so called Old Europe should pick up their phones and vote instead of complaining about results. So far its clear that only migrant workers vote in Benelux, Germany and Spain as well as Austria and even UK. So its not very fair to moan about the result since everyone is entitled to a right to vote and express their preference.

Auris, Brussels,

Why on earth do some countries pay more than others?! That makes absolutely no sense. If we all paid the same, that might cut down much more on the British sense of injustice in the contest. Probably.

Rebecca, Nottingham,

Bixtie, Caversham, Berkshire said: "Eurovision doesn't mean anything any more: they mainly sing in english, last time we had Israel (European?) now we have Georgia, Armenia, Serbia... etc. They are not even part of EU !"

Excuse me, but... Eurovision is a bit older then EU. And, excuse me, but... It is "European song contest", not "EU song contest". And, excuse me, this victorious song was in Marija's native language, not in English.

Bixtie, said also: "People vote for their "neighbours" or for political reasons."

Excuse me, but.. Serbs & Croats and Serbs and Bosnians are not "politically friendliest neighbors". You are talking like England could say "Spanish Armada is our friend" couple of years after destroying it in 1588.

Bixtie, said also: "Obviously the enlargement of EU is a big mistake in many ways!"

Excuse me, but... Serbia is not in EU. With attitudes like yours, I'm worry Serbia won't even want to join that kind of "friendly" Armada. Sad, but... true.

Pera, Belgrade, Serbia

I would like to see an analysis of various votinbg systems. First past the post, preferential or a diffeent value wieghting voting system. It vcould be that we adiopt teh scoring system from the ice skating. I do not agree with the proposal that a country should not be allowed to vote for a neighbouring country. As it stands they can not vote forthem selves. In teh edn any bvoting system will be open to tactical voting. Why would Ukraine want to vote for serbia or Russia when they could lose a placing as a result. Again it would be good to see analysis of diffent voting systems with scores for lyrics, singing and presentation. Ut was good to see that the time taken in presenting the final results was shortened.

Ukrme, Kiev, Ukraine

About time that we did away with country based voting and go with % votes across the continent. It might take a little longer but it would be fairer. You cant blame Abba for anything apart from the beleif of the competitors that Eurovision is a chance for a career!

John, Teddington, UK

I think the best songs were Turkey's and Slovenia's songs.

john, basel, scotland

Is this not the time to stop taking part in the contest. It will never matter what our song, or France, Malta, Germany and Spain are like, good or bad the end results will always be in favour of one of the Balkan countries. There is no enjoyment to know that no matter what the quality of the songs are, the Balkan's will always vote for each other. It is embarrassing and its about time the BBC pulled out. The name Eurovision plays no part in the competion any more.

Christine, Fareham, England

Lets face it, the main reason for watching Eurovision nowadays is Terry Wogan's hilarious commentary - in which he regularly highlights the nature of the voting systems! When he retires, I'll turn off - until then, what a laugh. The ultimate campfest - how can anyone have not watched France's entry and considered that alone worth the price of admission. My only criticism is that we havd to go a week without Doctor Who!

Alasdair MacDonald, Southampton, Hampshire

I can`t imagine Russia and Eastern Europeans negotiate on how they are going to vote. As for the Russian selection for the show, the best producers and performers compete as if it is a theatre of war.
Why call the results "bloc-voting"? Western Europe lost interest in this contest several years ago, the big 4 participants send exatly the same from year to year. Look at Scandinavia: Finland votes for Sweden, Sweden for Finland.
Turkey for Greece, Greece - for Turkey.
It is all that simple. Many singers choose the neighbour countries for their promo-tours. The winner, Maria Sherifovitch, promoted her album not only in Serbia, but in a dozen of front-countries. Russian performers tour in Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, etc. And on the contrary. It is sometimes hard to find money to make promo in Germany, France or UK. Especially, UK.
And there are few West Europeans who come the post-USSR territory :((

Vassiliy, Moscow, Russia

Diaspora or immigrant are not bigger then a nation...face it, you don't care about competition and support consequences...for example, in Latvia there were registered 100 000 sms for the final, whereas in France which is 20 times bigger (or even more) just 42 000 sms. Unbelievable, isn't it?!!! So, stop complaining...

Why you talk about Malta, or Ireland?...last year Ireland finished in top 10...2 years ago Malta finished second...so stop blaming neighboring support, it make no sense what you say...they had outstanding performances and they got their prise! this year they weren't good enough! by the way, what about Finland last year?...look on the votes and see how many 12 points the "East Europeans" offered and you'll be surprised...

By the way, there is nothing political in this competition...!!!

George, Copenhagen, Denmark

As far as those who are forced to pay the BBC license fee are concerned, it's high time to pull the plug on this mindless, stitched-up kitschfest.

Mark Lyndon, London, UK

No offence, but that Serbian song was AWFUL!!!! my husband and I had literally dropped jaws when it won!!!! There were by far better songs that didn't rate nearly as well!

I believe it was a combination of neighbours voting AND poor music taste that made Serbia win! (again no offence to Serbia!).

If I were the UK, France etc (the highest paying countries) I would pull out because the competition has become one continuous back patting by friends instead of a SONG CONTEST!!!!

Cindy, Canberra, Australia

Some of the best songs (e.g. Georgia, Bulgaria) came from "New Europe" (as the USA terms it) which reflects the fact that for these countries, it's still a great feeling to participate in Eurovision and is seen as a sign that a country is part of European democracy. Here in "old" Europe on the other hand, the contest has lost its hold on our attention and we've become jaded (especially since we never win any more...). It's a vicious circle. If "old" Europe doesn't take the contest seriously then it can't expect to win.

On the other hand, I can't help being disappointed that Ireland came LAST! It's an historical low for us, such a musical nation. It didn't help that the folk song style didn't tranlsate well to a large stadium format. Can't help being a tad bitter that even our one and only neighbour the UK didn't vote for us! Maybe Ireland should balkanise into Munster, Connaught, Leinster and non-NI Ulster so we can start voting for each other too like Serbia, Croatia etc...

MB, Scotland,

What a joke - anyone who can still seriously say they believe that the best songs truly topped the leaderboard must have pressed their 'mute' buttons by accident. The truth is that political voting has gone crazy, taking all the fun out of what used to be a good old-fashioned sporting cheese-fest - and the BBC knows it.

The UK's entry was for the first time in a few years exactly what the competition is all about - up-beat, catchy, colourful and camp. Can everyone tell me honestly that Romania, for example, really deserved to score more?!

There's two things going on here: neighbourly voting is excluding Western European countires in the semi finals, and after that, we have Blair's Iraq policy to blame for the UK's nil points.

Bad luck Scooch; as reps of Blair's despised nation your enthusiastic little number never stood a chance...

Eleanor, Southampton, UK

Who cares who wins? It's just a fun event that, for a few hours anyway, brings Europe together. I mean if the UK wanted to take it seriously and actually try to win then surely we'd be asking Coldplay or Oasis to do it. The fact that Scooch were there says it all...

Kevin, London, England

I'm from Brasil and have been watching the Eurovision for the last 15 years. There is no denying there is a lot of neighbourhood voting. They don't choose the best song and the way the UK has been disregarded in the last few years is pathetic. For example the year Greece won, Javine's song was very similar and it did not rate as well.
Our entry this year it might have been silly, popstatic song. But it was catchy. Fun, you could dance to it. Which you cannot say the same for the all of the other songs that scored better then the UK. It is a shame the contest has gone this way. I'm not British but I live here and I am proud to support the UK and it hurts when the voting is blatantly politc. Thanks Malta. We love you.

Marcelo Serafim, Oakham, Leicestershire

I caught a bit of Eurovision in Oz last night (yes, they do show it Downunder!) and I couldn't honestly say whether tactical voting won the day for Serbia or not. There was certainly some otherwise unaccountable voting, but the UK (and France for that matter) certainly ended up where they deserved, block voting aside.
If we want to change the voting system, sure go ahead, but it won't help out if while we insist on proferring outdated, camp, europop rubbish. With a population of 60+ million, couldn't we do a bit better then Scooch.....

Adam, Brisbane, Australia

A fantastic evening of entertainment. How can people complain when they compare it to the usual Saturday night fare? Scooch were charming and funny with a catchy song that must have brought a smile to millions of faces and had people up and down the country singing and dancing along. To my mind that’s success, whatever the scores. Long may Eurovision delight us.

Moreno, Edinburgh, Scotland

It just proves that UK does not have any neighbours!

Zoran, Cambridge,

Finishing second from the last just proves that UK is not in Europe and worst thing of all it does not have any neighbours! Even Stots voted for Montenegro!

Zoran, Cambridge,

THis ridiculous competition is an excellent illustration of how Europe actually works.

And of what a load of cr@p it all is.

The real music competition in the world is performance in the markets (what do people actually choose to spend their money on)where British and American performers dominate.

That too is an excellent illustration of where our interests lie.

cuffleyburgers, Lucca,

I think the real blocs are the "taking it seriously bloc" and the "sending the whole thing up bloc".

Anyway, if we're that worried, lets enter England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland seperately and milk it outselves.

my lovely horse, Craggy Island,

It was like being at an ice-skating contest…

Zertie, Paris, France

The Serbian song was the best in the competition in my view. But it didn't win because it was the best song, which is a shame. The whole thing has not become farcical, it always was. I blame ABBA. Even given the cultural affinity of many of the competitors some of the voting was blatant mutual back slapping. With a few exceptions, the standard of the music and performance was appalling, right across the board. And why isn't the cost spread evenly. Why do the UK, France, Spain & Germany pay more? We must be making more too. There should be another category for the worst song. UK could easily win that every year.
I will continue to watch it, but will not waste any money on voting. It's the best laugh on TV and no doubt was the model for Ricky Gervais' excruciating style of embarrassment humour. But no, no one could ever write a comedy that funny.

Bob Reeve, Brighton, UK

In fact, crucial factors in Serbia's win were that they were strongly favoured in ex-Yugo countries and Scandinavia, which has a sizable minority of refugees from the ex-Yugo countries. Excluding Scandinavia from the other West European countries, westeners would have handed the victory to Ukraine.

Mark, Helsinki, Finland

Eurovision doesn't mean anything any more: they mainly sing in english, last time we had Israel (European?) now we have Georgia, Armenia, Serbia... etc. They are not even part of EU ! People vote for their "neighbours" or for political reasons. Why is there any Eurovision especially for the Eastern block then?
Obviously the enlargement of EU is a big mistake in many ways!

Bixtie, Caversham, Berkshire

The UK song was crap and that is why it received close to zero points. To send that song shows that you just dont take the contest seriously. The humor of 'flying the flag' just didn't work. Ukraine was both funny and a real party starter.

A. Veris, RVN, FIN

Oh, quit the whining. Even if you discount all the eastern-European votes, Serbia would still have won.

Block voting is much overrated. People actually vote for songs they like, and for a variety of reasons, including availability of songs in media before the finals and familiarity of languages and music styles, they tend to prefer music from the neighbouring countries.

The thing is, Eurosong is not nearly as brainless as the British public seems to think. Lordi didn't win last year because they looked silly, they won because the whole package was in good humour. OTOH, Scooch was just daft.

If Brits ever want to win again, they need to get rid of their current atitude to Eurosong. Getting rid of Wogan and/or his mocking approach to the contest would be a good first step.

zzzzz, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Tom, all Eastern Europians countries have the rights to vote like you do!
Many of them couldn't participate in Eurovision let alone vote for it, because the communst regim they were under didn't let this happened!
You can't and never will understand this of course because you live a better life in England!
Eastern Europian countries have many talents which are coming out now that communist system is over thankfully!
Eastern Europians are showing the world their talent and other europians vote for them because the songs are very good! This the truth Tom you like it or not.
Hope to see another Eastern Europian country winning Eurovision next year!

Anna, A, SA

Ukraine's song was good?
Sorry to dissapoint you, but Serbia's song was wonderful and it has been like that before
We all need to hear a good music which is what Eurovision is all about!
You can't beat the good music which is why Serbia got so many votes, isn't that so?

Congratulations Serbia!

Anna, Adelaide, SA

Yes, I agree that since the collapse of the Soviet Union and Yogoslavia the Eastern block countries are outnumbering
the Western ones and something has to be done about that. In regard with the English song though I will have to agree with the BBC spokesman. The song was totally indeferent and the presentation old fashioned. On the contrary the Irish song deserved better but the singer was probably too nervous to give it justice.

SophiaK, Canberra, Australia

Eastern European countries are doubly advantaged because not only are they voting on nationalist and alliance lines for their neighbours or bits of their own old country, but millions of Eastern Europeans emigrants live in other countries, including in the West. I think that also helps to explain the voting patterns: immigrants are voting for their own country frem their new home - e.g. 'Germany' consistently gives top votes to Turkey and Greece, but it is not 'Germans' voting for them but the huge Turkish and Greek populations in that country. Eastern Europe also just has far more countries many of them the size of an English city. What was amazing about this year is that without the pass to the final for the big contributors virtually all of Western Europe would have been eliminated before the big night. This calls for independence for Scotland, Ulster and Wales, and why not Yugoslav style, Cornwall and Yorkshire. Then we might have a chance. And why is Monaco never in it anymore?

tom moncrieff, london, england

The UK has not done well in recent years becuase the songs are poor. this years was a disgrace. I agree the balkan and Eastern Europeans have a start but Finland who have a small pact of nations won last year. For my part the Serbian song was a deserved winner.

Alan Morris, Ellesmere, UK

open your eye's BBC!
The voting system is rubbish and you know it.
Eastern europe top 15 places last night.
You could have put Elvis presley in last night and he still wouldnt have got anywhere.
We spent most of the show predicting the outcome which was more interesting than the biased voting.
Serbia's song was strange , and the ukraines was what eurovision was about!
Its all gone sour now

vernon, bolton, lancs

This Eurovision Song Contest has become one big joke.

Kevin Slean, Bedminster, New Jersey, U.S.A.