VENUE National Indoor Arena, Birmingham		ENTRIES 25
HOSTS Ulrika Jonsson Terry Wogan		DEBUTS FYR Macedonia

This was a contest and a half. For the first time the venue had a stadium feel and the bands of supporters around the NIA certainly gave the night a new dimension. Sir Terry Wogan managed (uniquely) to combine his usual BBC commentary during the songs with co-presenting the contest with Ulrika Jonsson, as in a first for the contest neither presenter was actually a native of the host country.   Perhaps to make up for that there was a special tribute to four time presenter Katie Boyle at the start of the show.

This was the first time that the majority of countries used televoting. Apart from Croatia's entry (which seems to have assumed tantric-like status with many Eurovision fans), the first seven songs scored very badly, a pattern to be repeated the next few years. The remainder of the entries paled into insignificance next to the triple-whammy of Dana International, Guildo Horn and Chiara one after another. Dana brought the arena to life, Guildo tested out the strength of the furniture and the stage hands had to race against the clock to replace Guildo's load of bells with Chiara's candles but they made it just in time.

The voting was memorable too, highlighted by some sensational BBC graphics that were as much a star of the show as much as the performers.  Some funny moments too, although  Ulrika's supposed faux-pas with Dutch spokesperson Connie van den Bos was nothing of the sort (play the tape and it's the Dutch lady who says "long ago" before Ulrika does).  The destination of the Grand Prix was in doubt until the very last twelve points as Macedonia's snub to Malta meant a third Israeli win.

WINNER: Israel

DIVA by Dana International

Voting

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