( Bring out the big guns: positions 10-7 )

A word of applause to the staging. The main stage was an attractive oval shape, with a glass floor, onto which pictures and patterns could be displayed. Result: plenty of overhead shots to show this off, and some fab lighting effects. More monitors dotted around the hall, used to great effect by Israel. Poland was the only act to go onto the Voting Podium, a short distance into the crowd, while Russia used the slight slope down from the stage to the audience, and a curved walkway behind and rising above the oval, to great effect.

The killer moment: once the contest was finished, the back of the stage dropped away, to reveal the green room where all the acts were. We couldn't see any detail, but they were behind Renars and N's shoulder.

( Positions 6, 5, 4 )

Which brings us to the crunch. Three countries remain, scoring 164, 165, and 167. You couldn't get any closer than this. It's the tightest three-way finish since the current scoring system was introduced in 1975, beating a spread of nine points (and tied winners) in 1991, and eight points in 1998.

The Slovenian announcer has always had a special place in our hearts, after the antics inspired by the RDA two years ago. This time, with everything hanging on the last result, the gentleman said "I'll be off," and was off. In a "leave your seat and have Europe staring at an empty desk" way. It's a joke that would have backfired if the race hadn't been tighter.

( Three. )

( Two. )

( One. )

That's Eurovision for you.

Oh sing me a song for Eurosong
It doesn't have to be original

...in fact, it would help if it wasn't.

Two years late, the Eurovision Song Contest visited Riga last night, and these'll be a semi-coherent set of thoughts and reaction, working up the scoreboard.

( So the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. )

( Positions 25-18 - Thank you for turning up, and goodnight. )

( Positions 17-14 - Didn't disgrace themselves. )

This year's presenters: Renars Kaupers didn't wear the mustard yellow suit well, but changed into something less eye-boggling for the voting announcement. Marie N was just annoying, as were the Hall Of Fame linkups to the international space station and Elton John before we got going. Perhaps Renars could have handled the show himself, as Ulrika did in Birmingham.

( Positions 13-11 - not performing to expectation )

The top ten: after this short break.