Russia Wins Eurovision As UK Slumps in Last

RUSSIAN singer Dima Bilan has won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in the Serbian capital Belgrade.

Bilan’s ballad Believe, produced by US R&B star Timbaland, gave Russia its first Eurovision win.

Ani Lorak of Ukraine came second, followed by Greece with the pop song Secret Combination by Kalomira.

Britain’s Andy Abraham came joint last with his song Even If, gaining just 14 points, the same as Germany and Poland. The former X Factor contestant only received points from San Marino and Ireland.

The other entries included Latvian pirates, a Finnish heavy rock group, a 75-year-old Croatian rapper and French dance musician Sebastian Tellier, who has worked with Daft Punk and Air.

Bilan is a well-known performer throughout Russia and beyond, being a winner at the country’s MTV Awards. He took part in Eurovision in 2006, finishing second.

(c) 2008 Wales on Sunday. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.