Thread by @christovskia, The 2001 @Eurovision grand final was hosted in the Parken Stadium in [...]

</2000>
<2001>

The 2001 @Eurovision grand final was hosted in the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The UK was represented by Lindsay Dracass, with & #39;No dream impossible& #39;. I& #39;m particularly fond of the hype guy with the bandana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1AugFzCbyA">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort was from Estonia, a collaborative effort from Tanel Padar

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇪🇪" title="Flag of Estonia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Estonia">, Dave Benton

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇼" title="Flag of Aruba" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Aruba">and 2XL, with this catchy effort & #39;Everybody& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wri72BfnGh4">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun Fact Time:

Eurovision has had some big time intervals acts, think of @Riverdance , but Denmark topped that with everyone& #39;s favourite megamix from @aquaofficial who were a little blue with their language.....enjoy!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6aYJfGXfNc

</2001>">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

<2002>

2002& #39;s Grand Final was hosted in Tallinn, Estonia

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇪🇪" title="Flag of Estonia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Estonia">

This was the first year influenced by reality shows

The UK were represented by Pop Idol& #39;s Jessica Garlick, with & #39;Come Back& #39;, finishing 3rd. The UK hasn& #39;t finished higher than this song since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NSR5rSk0Cs">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

This was the first year that awe inspiring slogans were introduced....2002& #39;s was & #39;A Modern Fairytale& #39;.

The competition was won by Estonia& #39;s neighbour& #39;s, Lativa

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇱🇻" title="Flag of Latvia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Latvia">, Marie N singing & #39;I wanna& #39;:

It& #39;s not the best.....but the white suit is nice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cCUrEIpSJQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

Latvia were only in the contest as a result of Portugal deciding to sit the competition out.

Rounding out the Baltic nations, Lithuania

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇱🇹" title="Flag of Lithuania" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Lithuania"> had this gloriously cheesy track (finishing 23/24), with staging that looks like @GoldenGrahams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d68BsiMleLg">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

</2002>
<2003>

The 2003 ESC Grand Final took place in Riga, Latvia

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇱🇻" title="Flag of Latvia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Latvia">

Ukraine

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇺🇦" title="Flag of Ukraine" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Ukraine"> made their @Eurovision debut.

The UK were represented by Liverpool& #39;s finest since the Beatles, Jemini. Their performance of their song earned them a whopping ZERO points! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAJ62IG3gBo">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The slogan for Latvia& #39;s competition was & #39;Magical Rendezvous& #39;.

The winning effort was Turkey& #39;s Sertab Erener, with & #39;Everyway that I can& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq9OAEBZmAg">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

Russia pulled out all the stops to try for the big W with (definitely not one hit wonders) t.A.T.u& #39;s big track & #39;& #39;Ne ver& #39;, ne boysia& #39;, eventually finishing 3rd.

</2003> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAK0tbe4XtA">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

<2004>

The ESC Grand Final took place in Istanbul, Turkey

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇹🇷" title="Flag of Turkey" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Turkey">, with the theme & #39;Under the same sky& #39;.

Four @Eurovision debuts this year:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇱" title="Flag of Albania" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Albania">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇩" title="Flag of Andorra" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Andorra">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇧🇾" title="Flag of Belarus" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Belarus"> & the nation of Serbia & Montenegro, who don& #39;t have one flag these days.

The UK were represented by Fame Acadamy& #39;s own James Fox, finishing 16/24 with & #39;Hold on to our love& #39;:

YouTube quality looks like it improves from here with the official @Eurovision channel

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍" title="Thumbs up" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6S9vDdTWAA">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning song was from Xenia lookalike, Ukraine& #39;s Ruslana with her smash hit & #39;Wild Horses& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10XR67NQcAc">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

2004 saw a semi-final (just one) introduced to qualify for the grand final, replacing the old relegation rules

Fortunately, Bosnia & Herzegovina& #39;s Deen made it to the grandest stage of them all with his tremendous effort & #39;In the disco& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23h__RssJQo">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

</2004>
<2005>

The ESC was hosted in Kyiv

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇺🇦" title="Flag of Ukraine" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Ukraine"> with the inspiring slogan & #39;Awakening& #39;

Debuts from

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇧🇬" title="Flag of Bulgaria" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Bulgaria">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇲🇩" title="Flag of Moldova" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Moldova">

The UK were represented by the Popstars: The Rivals finalist, Javine with & #39;Touch my fire& #39; - Javine also played Nala in the Lion King on the West End: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8zTZkCdeyg">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning song came from Helena Paparizou, representing Greece

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇬🇷" title="Flag of Greece" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Greece"> with & #39;My number one& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcOwvZ26KFQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

This was the first @Eurovision to be broadcast in 16:9 ratio!

The hosts boshed out a wonderful rappy magic track with fine staging and costumes.

Greenjolly with & #39;Razom nas bahato (Разом нас багато)& #39; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5u6J_mbhLU">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

</2005>
<2006>

The ESC was hosted in Athens

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇬🇷" title="Flag of Greece" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Greece">

We were all inspired by the contest& #39;s slogan & #39;Feel the rhythm& #39; and Armenia

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇲" title="Flag of Armenia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Armenia">debuted @Eurovision

The UK were represented by @dazsampson, of Bus Stop fame, with & #39;Teenage Life& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYgE7O0OLyw">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort was from legendary rock group @LORDIOFFICIAL representing Finland

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇫🇮" title="Flag of Finland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Finland"> with the epic & #39;Hard Rock Hallelujah& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAh9NRGNhUU">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

The competition& #39;s 1000th song was performed by unassuming Lithuanian band LT United and their understated & #39;We are the winners& #39;

They weren& #39;t quite the winners, finishing 6/24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBAdOlQPbwg">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

BONUS TRACK:

I couldn& #39;t let the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest go by without sharing @LasKetchupTW & #39;s & #39;Bloody Mary& #39;, because nostalgia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8HnyH8PHVI

</2006>">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

<2007>

The ESC took place in Helsinki, Finland.

The competition& #39;s slogan was & #39;True Fantasy& #39;.

Debuting nations:

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇨🇿" title="Flag of Czech Republic" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Czech Republic">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇬🇪" title="Flag of Georgia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Georgia">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇲🇪" title="Flag of Montenegro" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Montenegro">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇷🇸" title="Flag of Serbia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Serbia">

The UK were represented by Scooch and their cheesetastic & #39;Flying the flag (for you)& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6yOIC6ihI">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort came from sort of (but not really) debuting nation Serbia, represented by Marija Šerifović& #39;s with & #39;Molitva (Молитва)& #39;.

This was the first winning effort since 1998& #39;s Diva, where no lyrics in the song were English. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSueQN1QvV4">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun Fact Time:

There is an award each year for the worst dressed entrant (apparently it& #39;s humourous, but some take it rather seriously)

Running since 1997, the Barbara Dex Award adds to the festivities

The 2007 award went to the iconic Verka Serduchka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfjHJneVonE">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

</2007>
<2008>

The ESC took took place in Belgrade, Sebia with the theme & #39;Confluence of sound& #39;

Debuts from

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇿" title="Flag of Azerbaijan" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Azerbaijan">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇸🇲" title="Flag of San Marino" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of San Marino">

The UK& #39;s entrant was X-Factor runner-up, Andy Abraham with & #39;Even if& #39; finishing 25/25, Terry Wogan to decide finish commentating for the BBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV7kgSvKPXk">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort came from Russia& #39;s @BilanOfficial, with his second attempt at the contest (after having finished second in 2006 to Lordi), with & #39;Believe& #39; (not the Cher one): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-72s4WzUcKI">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun Fact Time:

With more nations wanting to participate each year, a second semi-final was introduced, with 10 nations from each qualifying for the grand final.

@Eurovision& #39;s most successful nation, Ireland, brought their & #39;A& #39; game! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps3kxGo_gro">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

BONUS TRACK:

Latvia threw in some Piratey wonderfulness with Pirates of the sea& #39;s track & #39;Wolves of the sea& #39;:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQy0PJEkQhA

</2008>">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

<2009>

The ESC was hosted in Moscow, Russia. The event was inspiring enough to not need an inspirational slogan.

@OfficialALW entered a song to try and revive the UK& #39;s fortunes. @JadeEwen singing & #39;It& #39;s my time& #39;.....but it wasn& #39;t, she finished 5th https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GwOojK3VRU">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort was a landslide from @AlexanderRybak with & #39;Fairytale& #39;.

He performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert that year as well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXwgZL4zx9o">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

FUN FACT TIME:

The 2009 winner of the Barbara Dex Award, for worst dressed was Zoli Ádok with & #39;Dance with Me& #39;, the colours and choreography are amazing. I don& #39;t know how it was knocked out in semi-final 2, finishing 15/19:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd4vRC5ZdLI

</2009>">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

<2010>

The ESC was hosted in Oslo, Norway

The inspiration themes returned with & #39;Share the moment& #39;

@PeteWatermanOBE gave it a crack for the UK, with @joshjamesworld& #39;s & #39;That sounds good to me& #39;

Not sounding good to Europe though, UK finishing 25/25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR7l2xC4cOY">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning song came from future & #39;The Voice Kids, Germany& #39; coach, @Lenas_view and her catchy number & #39;Satellite& #39; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pL9vdpSvnY">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

2010 @Eurovision fell on the same day as my stag do

A drinking game was involved, a shot of strawberry cream liqueur for every & #39;thrusting motion& #39; on the stage

I don& #39;t remember the end of the competition thanks to some acts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHXDMe6QV-U

https://www.youtube.com/watch... href="https://twtext.com//hashtag/EPICSAXGUY"> #EPICSAXGUY

</2010>
<2011>

The ESC was hosted in Düsseldorf, Germany
The themes was & #39;Feel your heart beat& #39;

The UK were represented by reunited boy band @officialblue with my favourite UK entry & #39;I CAN& #39;

Sadly, they couldn& #39;t finishing 11/25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1dXMWWq6y8">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort came from Azerbaijan

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇦🇿" title="Flag of Azerbaijan" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Azerbaijan">duo Ell & Nikki, with their song & #39;Running scared& #39;

This was only Azerbaijan& #39;s fourth @Eurovision & it was the first male/female duo act to win since & #39;63 when Grethe & Jørgen Ingmann won for Denmark with & #39;Dansevise& #39; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0tlQUW5X0U">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun Fact Time:

Italy

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇮🇹" title="Flag of Italy" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Italy"> returned to the competition for the first time in 14 years, to & #39;upgrade& #39; the big 4 to the big 5!

Their song by Raphael Gualazzi was quite good, but you don& #39;t want to see that

Here& #39;s @planetjedward with a typical car crash effort: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgrlG6hQbNM">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

BONUS TRACK:

2011 was full of some of my favourite tracks, including @NadineBeilerESC, @witloofbay, @ericsaademusic.

But you want more #Eurovision

https://abs.twimg.com/hashflags... draggable="false" alt=""> madness, and that comes in the shape of @zdobsizdub& #39;s & #39;So lucky& #39;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHAY_OVN_gY

</2011>">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

<2012>

The ESC was hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan with the inspiring them & #39;Light your fire& #39;

The UK decided that Blue were too out of touch with what Europe wanted. So, they went with contemporary crooner Engelbert Humperdinck with & #39;Love will set you free& #39; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXw4Q5jbNqQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning song was an absolute banger from Sweden& #39;s @LOREEN_TALHAOUI with & #39;Euphoria& #39;

The UK general public briefly forgot its disdain for Eurovision as this track actually charting at number 3! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun Fact Time:

@planetjedward failed to win for a 2nd consecutive year representing

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇮🇪" title="Flag of Ireland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Ireland">. They even failed to win the Barbara Dex Award, taking second place to Albania

Russia entered a girl group Buranovskiye Babushki and their track & #39;Party for everybody& #39; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgUstrmJzyc">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

BONUS TRACK:

2012 was the year that Europe was introduced to one @DonnyMontell representing Lithuania.

He would return a few years later with even more of a banger. But, check out the cool choreography with the mask!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2vNoZnJxgY

</2012>">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

<2013>

The ESC was hosted in its spiritual home Malmö, Sweden.

The inspiring theme was so on trend with a hashtag & #39; #JoinUs& #39;

The UK were represented once again with a veteran star Bonnie Tyler with & #39;Believe in me& #39; finishing 19/26 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-agn-ERgTXA">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort was by Denmark& #39;s @emmeliedeforest with & #39;Only teardrops& #39;

This song was the massive favourite going into the competition and was also top of the OGAE (Organisation Générale des Amateurs de l& #39;Eurovision) fan club! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3f9v8ebuD4">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

This was the first time since 1985 that no former Yugoslav republics participated in the final.

Greece brought the party atmosphere with & #39;Alcohol is free& #39; by Koza Mostra feat. Agathon Iakovidis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AfrOZersNk">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

BONUS TRACK:

Germany brought their big guns in the shape of @cascada_music to try and bring the competition back.

Their entrant was tainted by allegations of plagiarism of the previous year& #39;s winner & #39;Euphoria& #39; - they were however dismissed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HYTd7WDCPg">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

</2013>
<2014>

The ESC was hosted in Copenhagen, Denmark with the theme & #39; #JoinUs& #39;

The UK were represented by @mollysd and her song & #39;Children of the universe& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6w7tmWvm6M">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

The winning effort, a runaway success on the night, was not even in the top 3 in the OGAE fan club voting, with

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇸🇪" title="Flag of Sweden" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Sweden">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇭🇺" title="Flag of Hungary" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Hungary">

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇮🇱" title="Flag of Israel" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Israel"> all placing higher.

But that doesn& #39;t matter @ConchitaWurst smashed it on the night, with & #39;Rise like a phoenix& #39;: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRUIava4WRM">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Fun fact time:

It was the first time in @Eurovision history that France finished in last place, but it was a banger by @TwinTwinOhYeah.

I think Europe was wrong, what do you think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjkqciwP034">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

BONUS TRACK:

There were a lot of & #39;good& #39; tracks in 2014

I& #39;ve plucked for second timers Ovi and Paula Seling with & #39;Miracle& #39;

Check out the pointless circular piano that& #39;s used for a only a couple of seconds:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN2h6__yJGQ

</2014>">https://www.youtube.com/watch...

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