Eurovision 2013: Your Survival Guide

Get the European beers, vodka and maybe something even stronger out. It’s that time of year again folks.

Love it or loathe it, the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Sweden this weekend, with Bonnie Tyler hoping to be the UK’s first winner since 1997.

The 80s star says she “doesn’t care” if her Eurovision venture goes the same way as geriatric crooner Engelbert Humperdinck, who finished second bottom in Azerbajain last year, scoring just 12 points.

If our Bonnie was looking for a vote of confidence, she won’t find it from the bookies.
Coral predict it will be another difficult night for the Brits, offering 66/1 on a UK victory and just 7/1 on Bonnie Tyler finishing bottom.

So with a UK triumph looking as likely as Nigel Farage hosting a Eurovision party, who is going to trumph in Malmo?

Eurovision has been a safe-haven for favourite backers in recent years and that trend looks set to continue, with Denmark hotly tipped to win Saturday’s Grand Final.

Denmark’s song, “Only Teardrops” is the debut single from 20-year-old singer Emmelie de Forest, and the track has topped almost all of the online fan polls in the build up to the contest.

Punters have backed Denmark in their droves, and even at the slender price of 4/5 the money keeps coming. On Tuesday, one Coral punter in the south of England lumped £5,000 on a Danish victory.

Competition looks set to come from the Ukraine and Norway, but if you’re looking for more bang for your buck, I think Germany look a terrific Each Way bet at 22/1.

The Germans are being represented by dance act Cascada, who have enjoyed Number One hits across the world, including in the UK and USA.

Their track “Glorious” has generated over three million hits on Youtube, more than any other song in the competition. They’re the most recognisable act on this year’s bill, and with Germany having won Eurovision under the current voting system (in 2010), they look worth a Kroner or two of anyone’s money.