Lordi likely to steal final

Finland's heavy metal band Lordi rocked the Olympic Arena, in Athens, last night, passing through the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest with flying fireworks and threatening to steal tomorrow's show.

As envisaged, the evil-looking creatures qualified for the finals and if hard rock fans have their way, Lordi will be voted as the overall winner.

Eurovision enthusiasts are not impressed, however, and if the betting companies are anything to go by, they can put their minds at rest that Lordi will not be getting their grubby paws on the coveted trophy.

A special mention has to go to Iceland's Silvia who was booed off stage - probably the biggest booing in the contest's history. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina stood out for its traditional, unique song and betting companies are placing it among the top five in the overall placings.

The semi-finals, hosted by Sakis Rouvas and Maria Menounos, opened with a medley of past songs, which were given a Greek twist and climaxed with last year's winning song My Number One.

Once the 23 countries had finished their performance, the hosts read out the results. The top 10 countries chosen through televoting, which have made it to tomorrow's final are: Russia, FYR Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Finland, Ukraine, Ireland, Sweden, Turkey and Armenia.