The former Yugoslav republic first entered the competition in 1998, finishing 19th. They returned in 2000 to finish 15th before coming back for another 19th placing two years later. They have been regular entrants since 2004 and a 12th placed finish in 2006 is the best they have achieved so far. However, they have failed to reach the final in the last three years. Fans of sports betting often have a small punt on Eurovision, but they will probably want to avoid Macedonia this year.

Ilievski is hoping to change this poor run with his track ‘Rusinka’. Telling the tale of a Macedonian boy who falls in love with a Russian girl, the lyrics depict the maelstrom of nonsensical emotions which a deep sense of amour often imparts.

The track will be sung in Macedonian and English, giving it an exotic yet familiar feel which could work to its favour. Macedonia have been drawn 11th in the second semi-final, a position from which they qualified in 2006, the year of their biggest success to date. This means the signs are positive going into the 2011 Contest, although those planning to bet on Eurovision 2011 seem unsure about their chances.

Ilievski has a strong performing history, initially being part of the band Moral from 2000. He went solo in 2007 and has released two successful albums since then. His singles have also touched the hearts of his countrymen so he was an obvious choice for Eurovision, even though it took until his fourth attempt to convince the Macedonian people.

It’s difficult to know how to judge this up-tempo rock song suffice to say that if the mood across Europe is positive, this track could go far. And if Ilievksi can navigate his way to the final itself on May 14, Macedonia could be celebrating its highest placed finish in Eurovision history.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Macedonia look for first Eurovision win

Related posts:

1. Can Ireland scoop Eurovision once again?
2. Georgia in with a Eurovision chance
3. Dana International eyeing second Eurovision win

This will be the fourth year they will participate in the competition and they have improved every time. They finished 12th on their debut in 2007 whilst a year later, they finished 11th, despite receiving fewer points. They sat out of the 2009 Contest as a result of Russia’s involvement in the 2008 South Ossetia war – the competition that year was in Moscow and it was adjudged that the lyrics of the Georgian entry were too political. They were therefore barred from competing when they refused to change the words to the song.

Georgia returned in 2010 and netted their strongest ever finish, ending the night in ninth place. Hopes are high across this small nation that Eldrine can do better still with their track ‘One More Day’. Like with all previous Georgian entries, the song will be sung in English, whilst it has been favourably placed in the semi-final, sandwiched between two songs of differing styles and those looking to bet on Eurovision should bear this in mind.

‘One More Day’ is a bouncy rock/hip hop track which is guaranteed to get toes tapping across Europe from a band which is highly experienced. Eldrine were initially named BIOS and formed four years ago. The track was written by the band, meaning it is likely to be performed with greater passion and sincerity, whilst new vocalist Sophio Toroshelidze was also a finalist in hit TV show Star Academy. Additionally, she was a backing singer for the Georgian entry in the 2010 Contest.

This means the Georgian band have the experience and the musical talent to succeed on the Dusseldorf stage so don’t be surprised to see them better that ninth placed finish and perhaps break into the top five for the first ever time.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Georgia in with a Eurovision chance

Related posts:

1. Italy: Back in The Eurovision Song Contest
2. Can Ireland scoop Eurovision once again?
3. Slovakia looking to wow Eurovision fans

Like heavy metal overlords Lordi in 2006, TWiiNS will be hoping to use the element of the unknown to storm to success. The difference between the two is that, comparatively, TWiiNS are playing it safe. Their song is a mid-tempo ballad, for which Eurovision is more famed, and the lyrics detail a difficult recovery from a tough break-up, which is again standard fare.

TWiiNS are identical twin sisters Veronika and Daniela Nízlová. They have been performing together since childhood so the Dusseldorf stage will be anything but daunting. When they were younger, they released four successful albums in Slovakia between 2000 and 2005 and in 2010, single ‘Boys, Boys, Boys’ had limited international success. This means TWiiNS are already known in Europe and this could bode well when it comes to garnering votes from audiences across the continent and those looking at the Eurovision odds should remember this.

Another significant advantage is that the sisters already have Eurovision experience. In 2008, they were backing singers for Czech singer Tereza Kerndlova. Although she did not qualify from her semi-final, this experience could significantly aid the duo as it is guaranteed to quell the nerves and allow them to focus on their performance.

Slovakia have only participated in the Eurovision Song Contest on five occasions and have a particularly dismal record. They failed to get out of the semi-final in both 2009 and 2010 whilst they have never finished higher than 18th in the Contest proper. 19 points is the maximum haul they have attained.

Slovakians will be hoping that their favourite TWiiNS can buck this trend this time around, particularly as this will be the first time their entry is performed in the universally understood language of English. They have been drawn immediately after the more experimental Belgian entry in their semi-final so this could auger well too. Hopes will therefore be high that they can at least beat their previous record in the Contest.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Slovakia looking to wow Eurovision fans

Related posts:

1. Georgia in with a Eurovision chance
2. Can Ireland scoop Eurovision once again?
3. Italy: Back in The Eurovision Song Contest

The transsexual singer represented Israel in 1998 and stormed to glory with her track ‘Diva’. This was the third time that her nation had won the contest, following up successes in 1978 and 1979.

Her performance 13 years ago was controversial, with many orthodox Jews and conservatives criticising her representing Israel. This merely meant her success took on a new dimension and proved to be one of the most defining moments in Eurovision history.

This time around, Dana is more realistic about her chances, saying: “Unlike in 1998, this time I intend to represent my country, but also myself.

“Of course I hope for the best result and a nice place in the top, but I always remind myself it’s just a game and I wish to enjoy it much more.”

Current polls suggest that Dana’s track ‘Ding Dong’ will finish 15th overall, a mere shadow of her barnstorming success on the Birmingham stage in the late Nineties. However, she is philosophical, saying that it is the show, not the song, which often determines the winner.

This may rub salt in the wounds of Eurovision purists but recent events bear this out and those looking to bet on Eurovision 2011 should remember this.

She continued: “In 2008, Sweden had an excellent song, which should have won. The only problem was that the singer looked like an alien, with all that botox. That was the reason she finished 18th.”

Dana put on a magnificent show 13 years ago and she will be sporting a unique Jean-Paul Gaultier number once again. This is guaranteed to give her an edge in the fashion stakes so don’t back against this cheeky outsider, particularly one who has already been here and done it.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Dana International eyeing second Eurovision win

Related posts:

1. Can Ireland scoop Eurovision once again?
2. Italy: Back in The Eurovision Song Contest
3. Macedonia look for first Eurovision win

What started as a harmless contest designed to unite the nations of Europe after World War II has become a dominant force in the landscape of European music. Often dismissed by many in the United Kingdom, Eurovision is big business in many lands across the continent as prestige and national pride are often at stake.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in the early Nineties, many new nations were formed and these struggled to craft an identity. One of the early ways they could to this was to enter the Eurovision Song Contest and wins for Estonia (2001), Lativa (2002), Ukraine (2004) and an independent Serbia (2007) significantly boosted the profile of these countries.

Many territories use the Contest as a way of promoting tourism and hosting the following year’s event is considered a significant boost to the local economy. However, that’s not the only kind of promotion that takes place.

With 50% of the vote decided by telephone voting, it has become increasingly important for artists to promote their songs ahead of Eurovision. This is why Serbia’s Danica Nina Radojcic has been performing in Bosnia and Herzegovina whilst the entries of Turkey (Yuksek Sadakat), Albania (Aurela Gace) and San Marino (Senit) have played their tracks on Turkey’s high-rating Beyaz Show. Anyone looking at the Eurovision betting really needs to consider how the various songs are being viewed across Europe before the show starts.

Meanwhile, Greece’s entrants Loucas Yiorkas and Stereo Mike have been trying to woo London’s Greek community by playing at the LGR Music Awards on the London Greek Radio station.

With the rise of talent shows such as X-Factor, Pop Idol and Insert Country Here Has Got Talent, there has never been greater interest in Eurovision. The Song Contest provides another entry point into the music industry and many of these shows feed into the competition. And because of this, the stakes have never been higher.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Self-promotion key to Eurovision success

Related posts:

1. Italy: Back in The Eurovision Song Contest
2. Georgia in with a Eurovision chance
3. Dana International eyeing second Eurovision win

The UK seems to struggle more than most. A young entrant with a poor song will tend to be followed by a more serious attempt, as if to reclaim national pride.

In 2010, Josh Dobovie represented the UK after winning a mostly-ignored reality TV show on Channel 5. After scoring a total of 10 points (just edged out by the winning German entry with 246 points), the UK has returned for Eurovision 2011 with a reformed boy band. Unfortunately it’s not Take That – it’s Blue, who despite not having a hit song since 2003, should have enough residual celebrity to lead the UK to a top ten finish.

The French have improved on the UK’s boom-or-bust formula with the occasional satirical entry (2007′s ode to Franglais) and pop music legend (Patricia Kaas in 2009) but still are never quite sure whether to be thrilled or embarrassed to take part. The Eurovision 2011 betting suggest they won’t do very well.

Italy have their own struggles, preferring to drop out of the competition from time to time. They are back in Eurovision this year for the first time since 1997 after lobbying by several pop music artists over the past few years. Italy’s entry is performed by pianist Raphael Gualazzi.

Unfortunately Italy are doomed to a poor finish in 2011. Gualazzi’s song, Follia d’Amore (Madness of Love), is a contemptible down-tempo lounge-jazz tune. It’s the song that’s wrong for every occasion. Even Eurovision.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Italy: Back in The Eurovision Song Contest

Related posts:

1. Can Ireland scoop Eurovision once again?
2. Self-promotion key to Eurovision success
3. Georgia in with a Eurovision chance

The Irish won the event four times in the 1990s and three times consecutively between 1992 and 1994. The other occasion was in 1996 and it became a long-running joke that the Emerald Isle always won the Contest.

This joke spun the hilarious episode of Father Ted “A Song For Europe” in which the Irish were so desperate to avoid hosting the competition for another year, they chose a ridiculously poor track as their entry in the hope it would lose. Nil points from all juries were deservedly awarded to ‘My Lovely Horse’.

In reality, the Irish did no such thing and were unlucky to lose out in 1997 when they came second to Katrina and the Waves’ entry for the United Kingdom. This, of course, was the last time that the UK won at Eurovision and, in all honesty, it has been downhill since then and the Eurovision 2011 betting reflects this.

However, the Irish tradition of winning the Eurovision Song Contest goes back further than 1992. They first won the competition in 1970 when Dana tasted success with ‘All Kinds of Everything’.

Ten years later, the Irish notched their second triumph when Johnny Logan was awarded 143 points for his rendition of track ‘What’s Another Year?’ after a stunning performance in The Hague, Netherlands.

In 1987, Logan was successful in the competition again, winning Ireland’s third accolade with ‘Hold Me Now’.

Whether it’s a blessing or a curse to win Eurovision is a difficult question to answer. The Irish certainly benefited from the increased exposure hosting Eurovision gave to their country but it is also a considerable expense. And three years does get a little samey.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Can Ireland scoop Eurovision once again?

Related posts:

1. Georgia in with a Eurovision chance
2. Italy: Back in The Eurovision Song Contest
3. Self-promotion key to Eurovision success

First up let’s look at his replacements. Jonathan Ross has two television shows, his Chat Show on a Friday night, and Film 2010. So there are a lot of options here for the Beeb, as we do have a lot of talent when it comes to this sort of TV, most of them though, have their own shows on other channels, so whether any would switch is something you would have to consider.

So who then will be next to be given a permanent night time Chat Show on the BBC?

Well favourite is the new Radio 2 Morning presenter Chris Evans. Back in favour and back on our airwaves he does seem to fill the requirements nicely. If you think he has a chance you could secure 11/8 currently on Paddy Power. Other contenders include Graham Norton (6/4), Michael McIntyre (8/1), Paul O’Grady and Ant & Dec (both 12/1). At the other end of the spectrum sits David Tennant who has just ended his run as The Doctor (100/1) or maybe you fancy those twins JEdward (500/1)

The list for presenting Film 2010 has less competition, with a clear favourite Mark Kermode (1/3) Radio 5 Live’s film critic. Others in the running include:

Graham Norton 9/4
Rick Edwards 8/1
Chris Moyles 10/1
Iain Johnstone 14/1
Barry Norman 18/1
Terry Wogan 33/1
Russell Brand 100/1

Now onto Jonathan Ross’ future. He has a huge deficit in his pay packet now, so how’s he going to manage? Will one of the other channels stump up and give him his own Chat Show? If so which one? Paddy Power are offering the following odds for the next station to have Ross as a permanent Chat Show host:

ITV 4/6
Channel 4 9/4
SKY 4/1
Five 8/1

If not a Chat Show, then what? Here are a few of the suggestions which Paddy Power are offering odds on. All must happen by 2011:

Jonathan Ross & Russell Brand to co-host a TV show in 2010 5/1
Ross to get his own permanent US Chat Show 5/1
Ross to announce his retirement from TV 8/1
Ross to become a GMTV presenter 10/1
Ross to become X Factor Presenter 33/1
Ross to become permanent Loose Women presenter 100/1

What ever his future, he’s sure to pop up again on TV soon, in the meantime Jonathan, enjoy the time off with you family.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Bet on Jonathan Ross

Related posts:

1. The New Presenter of Blind Date is… Bet on your favourite!
2. Bookie Bets On Oasis’s Future
3. JEdward Betting Continues

Football hard-man turned actor Vinnie Jones, Katie Price’s boyfriend Alex Reid and former Dynasty star Stephanie Beacham are among those unveiled in the final Channel 4 series of Celebrity Big Brother. Let’s take a closer look at the contestants after we check out the live odds for the outright winner of the show:

I’ve just watched the usual here’s what I’ve done to be famous by the housemates as they introduce themselves to each other, which inspired me to write a little piece on each of these ‘celebrities’. In fairness to BB, I think this year’s group have a bit more calibre than previous Celebrity Big Brothers, however, as Dane Bower put it last night – I haven’t been famous for a long time. Whereas Katie Price’s other love interest Alex claims to have been the subject of the Red Tops ridicule for the last 6 months – hey this must be the price of ‘fame’ Jordan style.

So here they all are, and what you might (or might know them for):

Stephen Baldwin
Has famous actor brothers, and has starred in lots of Hollywood blockbusters himself including Usual Suspects and Born on the Fourth of July.

Nicola T
Is a page three girl turned football WAG. She Continuing to model, she is hoping to break into the music scene later this year – (thanks Big Brother).

Alex
Alex, apart from being a Cage Fighter and Cross Dresser, is Katie Price’s current boyfriend. We have seen him taking careers advice from Stephen Baldwin, who though t he should go into acting, and take over from Daniel Craig as the next Bond.

Stephanie Beacham
Stephanie is a classic actress who has been on our screens for many years. She gained her fame from plpaying Joan Collins sister in the American soap Dynasty. Since then, she has little time out of work doing theatre, film and tv.

Lady Sovereign
A musician who has Jay-Z to thank for launching her career.

Sisqo
Provided us with a great summer anthem whilst bringing back the popularity of the thong. The Thong Song was probably his greatest hit, which he gave us a perfomance of as he entered the house.

Dane Bowers
Having enjoyed some success with a boy band, then not so much solo, he too has dated Katie Price, back in her ‘Jordan’ days. Apparently he and Alex came to blows on New Years Eve, which was news to them (?) will their be fireworks in the house – I doubt it, Dane hasn’t been with Katie for a very long time.

Heidi Fleiss
Apparently famous for being caught running a prostitution ring for the Hollywood stars. On Big Brother incase she spills the beans on a few of her past clients.

Jonas AKA Basshunter
I’m not sure if he is more famous for his dance track ‘Now You’re Gone’ or for his youthful sex antics which made it on to the internet and was spotted by his mum. He doesn’t regret it, and is quite chuffed about the attention his ‘prowess’ received. On Big Brother in case he tries a repeat me thinks.

Katia
Hailing from Kazakhstan, this hottie model (aged 21) found love with 62 year old Ronnie Wood (you might remember him as a Roling Stone). They’ve split up (of course) and she needed something to do, so Big Brother it is then!

Vinnie Jones
A bit of a bad boy when it comes to Football, Vinniewas added to the cast of Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrells, which he excelled at, since then he has made even more films than Stephen Baldwin, but doesn’t hail from a famous acting background. Vinnie Jones is favourite to win, though last night he was hoping to get the boot.

There’s 3 weeks of Celebrity Big Brother, with loads of task and humiliation for these contestants, will we see some new faces join them in the next few days? Davina hinted that there’s a chance so I guess we’ll have to see. If one comes ina dn wins, you can currently get 10/1 with Paddy Power.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Celebrity Big Brother Betting

Related posts:

1. Big Brother: 1st Eviction Betting
2. Big Brother: Who is up for the Public Vote?
3. Big Brother: Mario is favourite to go

British Airways has been getting alot of stick recently, the question is when Willie Walsh the current CEO leaves, who will take over?

Paddy’s favourite is Keith Williams (11/10) their current Chief Financial Officer.  Others on the table are: Robert Boyle (3/1), Jim Lawrence (6/1), Andrew Crawley (8/1) plus you could get 150/1 if you think that Richard Branson will take on the role.

Whilst we’re talking planes, which airline will be next to go bust?

Joint favourites at Paddy Power are Monarch and BMI Baby, which are both available at 4/1, close on their tails are Aer Arann (9/2), Wizz Air (11/2) and Flybe (6/1).  British Airways are there at a modest 8/1, with lots of others following up.  If you think that Air Force One could be the next to cease operating then you could get odds of 1000/1.

If planes aren’t your thing, how about Morrisons? Who will replace Marc Bolland as CEO?

Paddy is a little more unsure about this one, there’s Richard Pennycook  FD at Morrisons (6/4) and Mark Price MD of Waitrose (9/4). There’s plenty of others to choose from, not least Denise van Outen at 500/1.

Who will be the first to leave their position in 2010?

Again favourite for this must be Willie Walsh with odds of 7/4, you could also choose from any of the others:

Myles Lee 4/1
Colin Gordon 5/1
John O’Loughlin 6/1
Gavin O’Reilly 7/1
Christoph Mueller 8/1
Richie Boucher 10/1
Paul Walsh 18/1
Michael O’Leary 20/1

Last up we have the first company to receive an official takeover bid in 2010, Paddy Power think that Aer Lingus is pretty sure to win this one with odds of 2/5, however there’s some other options:

AIB 5/1
BOI 6/1
Elan 7/1
Glanbia 8/1
C&C 10/1
CRH 12/1
Ryanair 20/1

Look out for more new year betting opportunities!

Remember to check the odds before placing your bets with Paddy Power, the ones we quote above were correct at the time of writing.

Originally written by Bet123.net, an online Betting Guide

Bet on Business in 2010

Related posts:

1. Will England Qualify for the 2010 World Cup
2. World Cup Betting – bet on the 2010 World Cup
3. World Cup Betting: Bet on the 2010 World Cup Qualifiers