It’s that time of year again when Europe celebrates a song contest with a difference.

On Saturday night in Belgrade expect to see cladly dressed ladies, feathers and colourful characters as the world’s most camp song contest hits our screens.

The British entry this year is performed by Andy Abrahams and in relation to previous entries from here is a belter. However politics plays its part these days in the Eurovision and the UK entry is quoted at 100/1 to take the title.

The favourites are Russia whose entry entitled ‘believe’ is available at 9/4 with most bookmakers.

Others who are in with a considerable shout are the Ukraine (10/3), Serbia (8/1), Greece (8/1), Sweden (10/1) Finland (14/1), Armenia (16/1) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (16/1).

Ireland, the most successful country in the history of Eurovision, crashed out in the semi-final stage with Dustin the Turkey falling fowl to the International voting blocks.

The song ‘Irlande douze pointz’ had infuriated serious fans of the competition in both Ireland and abroad as it was seen as making fun of the song contest.

Prior to its failure to qualify the song was the overwhelming favourite with bookies in the UK to shock Europe and lift the much coveted award.

Serbia gained the right to host the Contest this year after  HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_%C5%A0erifovi%C4%87" \o "Marija Šerifovic" Marija Šerifovic won the  HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2007" \o "Eurovision Song Contest 2007" 2007 Contest in  HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki" \o "Helsinki" Helsinki,  HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland" \o "Finland" Finland.

The country has gone all out to ensure Europe sees a progressive Serbia and no expense has been spared to use the contest as a tourism promotion tool.

The voting system in recent years has seen Central and Eastern European countries vote mainly for each other diminishing the chances of success for the likes of the UK and Ireland.

A good outside bet this year might be on the Polish entry. It’s a ballad in English from the multi-talented Polish entrant Isis Gee. Odds on this song stand at 150/1.

FULL LIST OF ODDS FOR EUROVISION 2008

Russia 9/4
Ukraine 10/3
Greece 8/1
Serbia 8/1
Sweden 10/1
Finland 10/1
Armenia 16/1
Bosnia and Herzegovina 16/1
Spain 33/1
Turkey 40/1
Norway 50/1
Portugal 50/1
France 66/1
Georgia 66/1
Denmark 66/1
Azerbaijan 66/1
Latvia 100/1
UK 100/1
Israel 125/1
Iceland 125/1
Romania 150/1
Poland 150/1
Albania 200/1
Croatia 200/1
Germany 200/1

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