Eurovision mania grips Oslo

The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest was held last night in Oslo, enabling another 10 countries to join the 10 finalists which made it through in the first semi-final held in the Norwegian capital on Tuesday.

Georgia, Ukraine, Turkey, Israel, Ireland, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Romania, Armenia and Denmark yesterday sailed past the post to join Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldavia, Russia, Greece, Portugal, Belarus, Serbia, Belgium, Albania and Iceland.

Serene Oslo will be the scene of frenzied euphoria tomorrow when the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the world's most watched events, blasts off with its trademark blend of kitsch and extravagance.

As in earlier years, the 55th installment of the competition will provide ample room for sexy divas and golden-tanned playboys to strut and croon, accompanied by back-up singers and heavily made up tattooed dancers.

It is set to attract some 120 million television viewers.

According to betting agencies, the singers from Azerbaijan, Germany, Armenia and Israel have the best odds of following in the footsteps of Norwegian violinist Alexander Rybak, who took the top prize last year in Moscow.

It is impossible to say which of the 25 artistes and groups performing at the Telenor Arena near Oslo, in front of some 16,000 spectators, will win the hearts of millions of viewers across Europe who can call in to vote alongside professional juries from each country.