Russia's Dima Bilan 'Believe' Wins 53rd Eurovision Song Contest!

LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts) - Televoters from 43 countries have decided - the winner of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is Dima Bilan representing Russia with his song Believe!

After a spectacular Final tonight at the Belgrade Arena, the winner of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest was finally found: Russia won this year's edition receiving 272 points. The runner-ups were Ukraine's Ani Lorak and Greece's Kalomira.

The Grand Final consisted of entries from 25 countries: Serbia was already qualified due to being hosts, the big four contributors (UK, Spain, France and Germany) and two times 10 qualifiers from the respective Semi-Finals earlier this week.

Dima Bilan was asked about his feelings after his victory, he replied "that it would probably take him three days to realize what victory actually means to him, just as Marija Serifovic said last year."
Another journalist asked him, if his performance tonight had been the longest, the shortest or the happiest three minutes in his life - and he answered that "it was actually all three of them."

Dima Bilan's victory means the 54th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Moscow - Russia next year (2009).

53rd Eurovision 2008 voting results (points)
Russia - 272
Ukraine - 230
Greece - 218
Armenia - 199
Norway - 182
Serbia - 218
Turkey - 218
Azerbaijan - 132
Israel - 124
Bosnia & Herzegovina - 110
Georgia - 83
Latvia - 83
Portugal - 69
Iceland - 64
Denmark - 60
Spain - 55
Albania - 55
Sweden - 83
France - 47
Romania - 45
Croatia - 44
Finland - 35
Germany - 14
Poland - 14
United Kingdom - 14