With the Grand Final of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest just 4 hours away, letโs have a look at what will be a first for the contest tonight in Baku.
- Itโs the most easterly contest ever, the Crystal Hall in Baku is 40.34 N, 49.85 E a full 12 degrees further east than the Moscow contest in 2009.
- Itโs first time ever that all of the Big 5 and Azerbaijan have prequalified for the Grand Final.
- The first time Armenia has not been present at Eurovision since they debuted in 2006.
- First time since 2007 there have been four returning Eurovision participants in the contest, it is also the first time since 2009 all the returning artists have made it through to the final.
- Moldova are only the second country ever to perform in 26th place, the United Kingdom were the first in 2003.
- Itโs the first time since 1976 that the United Kingdom has opened the contest in slot number 1.
- Itโs the first time since 2008 that a single word of English has been included in a French Eurovision entry.
- Lys Assia has yet to make an appearance at the contest, she had entered the Swiss National Final but came 8th with โCโetait ma vieโ.
- Jedward are the first ever acts from Ireland to return to the contest for a 2nd year in a row.
- Itโs only the second time ever that a Romanian entry will feature any Spanish lyrics, the first was back in 2007.
- Udmurt will be making itโs appearance for the first time in the contest when Buranovskyie Babushki sing โParty For Everybodyโ for Russia.
Have a great night tonight.
