Russia

[squallsquall]

National Finals will be held today. More info here:

Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interestingly, they already seem to be somewhat of a favourite among the punters/bookies. Is this due to historical success only, or is there a gem among the 25 (!) entries?

[Gavster]

It's live on Eurovision.tv tonight Squall. Russia will do well whatever they send - hence the bookies take no risks! You can get the full song list from esctoday.com and listen to them on Youtube.

Best I can see (given that some are not available)

Alena Roxis - My tears
Elena Esenina - Mir bez tebya
Jay Stever - I love I love I love you
Natalia Terekhova - Everything

[Gavster]

I've just got in from work and again there's a song that will suffer the consequence of my temper.

YouTube - Russia 2010: Peter Nalitch - Lost and forgotten

YouTube - Russia 2010: Peter Nalitch - Lost and forgotten

This is the RUSSIAN, yes that's RUSSIAN entry. You might be forgiven (like I was), for double checking the source of this media, but no, this is the RUSSIAN entry for Eurovision 2010 (I can confirm 2010, not 1960)!

Apart from being undeniably tedious to the point of being classed as mild torture, this song lacks the charisma and pazazz I generously possess in a single strand of pubic hair!

The song sounds like some doped-up hippy singing some hideous camp fire-created dross whilst coming down from a hallucinogenic binge. This is 1960's hippy/Vietnam-fuelled USA trash. This I remind you is RUSSIA!!!

There is some controversy already showing up on Youtube, with Russians saying they didn't even vote for this song. It wouldn't surprise me that there are voting irregularities and perhaps votes were allocated to the wrong song, as there were a selection of songs, posted earlier I may add, that possess 1000% more style and Eurovision essence than the song eventually inflicted upon the public!

I'm clueless as to what to make of this. I'm sure the betting will be interesting. It will surely qualify - but hopefully, with better odds!!

Rant over!

[Beanie]

Worth remembering that a number of countries dont really want to win Eurovision - and Russia would fit neatly into that category. Not only did they win and therefore host recently, but they are also big enough to have to foot the bill themselves. The wee countries just claim they cant afford it and the Big 4 pick up the cheque.

So it wouldnt be a suprise if the Russian Broadcaster was still paying off the bill from last year(the most expensive ever!) and wants to make sure it isnt hosting again anytime soon.

[Gavster]

Again, that's something in my thinking too. And fair play to them! Trouble is, this song may take someone's place in the Final purely over Bloc loyalties. (ps Beanie, take a look at the Sweden bet)

edit: I've just done some done a potential points total for Russia by taking into account who their mates are, and who would only vote for a decent song. I'm just about reaching 40pts, which is at least 20pts short of the qualification range. I've looked back at Russia's scores from 2005 (their bad year), and the points were only coming from a clique of Bloc mates.

So, even with a bad song, it looks likely that Russia will fail to qualify.

[Gavster]

This need discussing.... why is Russia still at 8/1 which is up from 9/1 yesterday.

I want to know:

Why are the bookies being so jittery on it?

Why are people betting on it to win (someone must be)?

I am more than 100% sure this stands absolutely no chance at all, but it's just confusing me as to why it's not lower down the pecking order.

[Beanie]

I think its more a case of the way the market is at the moment gav - with only Boyles and a Betfair market its all very weak, and I doubt Boyles have lengthened any of the runners regardless of the songs released...they really just need any old price up(provided its not too big) to sweep up a few patriotic bets here and there.

So from their point of view they aren't 'making a market' as such, just taking advantage of being the only bookie with prices up.

Betfair market moves are happening in slow motion given how thin it is but i'd give it a week or so to creep slowly but surely up.

[MickeyPaul]

I clicked the video and got some mental patient dressed in Asda clothing singing a ridiculous song in a ridiculous voice as people looked on with worried expressions as they wait for the police to take him away. Can someone post the correct video please?

[MickeyPaul]

To be honest, once you realise they're taking the piss, it's genius. "What are you doing man?"

"IIIIIIIIIII'm looooooooooooking at your phooooootos!"

This is another vid I'll treasure always but how could you back it?

[Beanie]

I dont think I ever made it that far on first listen, switched off after the first verse.

Holy shit thats genius.

[Allium]

Oh this is a winner! Best worst song ever.

[MickeyPaul]

That's what it is though - the best worst song ever. It'll catch on on youtube etc but how can we back it? I dunno. That year the Finland death metal band won..... or whatever they were. Judges won't back this though so fuck it.

[Beanie]

Only other live version I can find.

Still magic, and should qualify, before struggling in the final. So misunderstood...

[Gavster]

I can't bring myself to even consider Russia qualifying.

Any time I entertain the thought that Russia may have a glimmer of hope of appearing in the final due to block voting, I just listen to him whaling live... that negates any certain chance of qualification for me.

It's woeful. If the odds were slightly better, I would happily bet against this qualifying.

[Gavster]

YouTube - Peter Nalitch & Friends' first rehearsal (impression) at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest

YouTube - Peter Nalitch & Friends' first rehearsal (impression) at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest

Russia's 1st rehearsal. Hmmm.... I'm not sure. One thing that comes across with this singer, apart from the fact that he looks like a tramp, is the emotion; that alone will connect with the audience.

So while slagging him off in the early part of the song, toward the end, you find yourself paying more attention to it. It's a difficult one to call. It unpopular with every poll and forum I've come across. I personally loath it!