SERBIA: Fans gather in front of Belgrade Arena for Eurosong final night

Record ID: 861861

  • Title: SERBIA: Fans gather in front of Belgrade Arena for Eurosong final night
  • Date: 25th May 2008
  • Summary: FANS FROM CYPRUS AND GREECE WALKING TOWARD ENTRANCE OF BELGRADE ARENA SINGING
  • Embargoed: 9th June 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Serbia
  • City:
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA86HIJLZCOM32068WLUH3DUG6O
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Fans gather in front of Belgrade Arena for the final night of the Eurovision song contest.
    Some 100 million Europeans will tune in for their annual guilty pleasure of the Eurovision song contest on Saturday night (May 24).
    This year's contest, the events 53rd incarnation and the biggest so far with 43 countries, is hosted by Belgrade after Serbia's Marija Serifovic won last year's competition.
    Eurovision song fans from all over Europe and Africa gathered in front of Belgrade Arena hours before the doors opened, many of them draped in flags of their country but not necessarily supporting their country's songs.

    "We have to support him," said Briton Carol, of her country's entry Andy Abraham - a former garbage man who found fame on a television talent show.
    But Carol's friend Paul was less patriotic, as were many others.

    "I would like to see Portugal win," he said.

    "I am a Serb, supporting the Greek song and supporting their nation and their country, that's why," said Milan.

    "I am supporting Portugal because I think the lady, the lead singer was absolutely fabulous," said South African Normalubi Simamane.
    Most bookmakers are tipping Dima Bilan to bring Russia its first ever Eurovision victory. Bilan returns for a second time after narrowly losing out to shock Finnish rockers Lordi in 2006.
    The live contest is being held in the Serbian capital Belgrade and over 100 million television viewers across Europe are expected to tune in.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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