Eurovision 2014 - 06/08/10 May 2014

If we weren't one of the biggest supporters we probably wouldn't have had as much of a budget to spend on the acts and they'd have not represented us. We'd have got someone like Molly instead.

I think we're going to be disappointed come Saturday and we'll be lucky to scrape the top 10.

Crashed out. But I doubt we'd have sent them if we knew we had to qualify.

No, the problem is people knowing that their vote hasn't been counted. If they receive a reply thanking them for their vote after the voting window has closed or worse a reply telling them that the are too late, even though they sent the text during the voting window, then they are going to think/know their vote has not be counted. Ireland solved this problem by not replying to any of the texts, so people in Ireland have no idea if their vote counted or not. Ignorance is bliss.

The Running Order for the Grand Final

The running order is as follows:

Ukraine
Belarus
Azerbaijan
Iceland
Norway
Romania
Armenia
Montenegro
Poland
Greece
Austria
Germany
Sweden
France
Russia
Italy
Slovenia
Finland
Spain
Switzerland
Hungary
Malta
Denmark
The Netherlands
San Marino
United Kingdom

Is it a good thing us being last?

We'll be fresh in people's minds, at least, unlike Enge who was first and did horrendously in 2012.

Pimp slots for Netherlands and us. Bookies favourite Sweden in between to very poor Big Five entries.

Totally disagree. All audiences shouldn't "think" their vote cast within the valid window has been counted, they should be able to "know" it has been.

If you ask your viewers to cast a vote in a voting window, and they cast their vote within it, and that vote isn't counted, then you have failed your audience. If you continue with that mechanism, knowing that it can't work, then you abuse the trust of your audience. End of.

The Irish approach is the worst of all worlds.

Not surprised Ireland failed to qualify. It was an average song performed in an average way among one of the strongest line-ups in years.

The Irish stereotypes throughout were utter cringe as well. For a Scottish entry to come anywhere near it would need to have guys in kilts playing the bagpipes, highland dancers, a tartan stage and nessie in the backdrop. Ireland just screamed: "But you used to like us, remember us, Ireland?" all the way through.

Ireland needs a rethink the likes of which the UK has clearly had this year. Children of the Universe may not win - it has a good chance, but it's still a little too 'what we expect Europe to like' rather than just writing the best possible song we can - but it's a hell of a lot better than our desperate dragging old celebrities out of retirement option. The contest has moved on.

One other thought - another very good presentation last night, the odd glitch here and there from both the Beeb and the host broadcasters. However, while going to the recap seemed a good idea instantly to the problem of needing more time to count the votes, might it have acted as a trigger for people not paying attention to keep voting? I note BBC3 half way through reminded viewers that the lines were closed.

Everythin is just playing into the UK's hands it seems.

It sure is. If Molly pulls it off, we have a great chance.

I thought the Ireland entry was better than the UK entry. And it was less shouty and repeated than the UK. The UK has some good music in parts but it isn't sung very well.

Have you ever seen Molly perform outwith Eurovision? I can guarantee you that she is a fantastic live singer, and her vocal range is simply staggering...