Millions tune into Eurovision finale

Millions of fans tuned in yesterday to root for their favourite singers as the final round of the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, pitting 26 countries against one another, kicked off.Ana Moura and Mariza, both well-known Portuguese fado singers, were the opening act, while Ukrainian singer Melovin was the first contestant, singing Under The Ladder.Italy is set to be the final act later in the night.Slovenia’s Lea Sirk prompted a mild panic during her upbeat performance when the music shut off suddenly, though it turned out it was only so she could call on fans to sing along with her.This year’s entries are nearly as diverse as the artists themselves, with everything from pop to opera, and electro to hard rock.Hours before the contest was set to begin, betting odds put singers from Cyprus and Israel as the most likely winners among the 26.Cyprus finalist Eleni Foureira is hoping to win over audiences with plenty of pyrotechnics and a sparkling catsuit in her pop dance number Fuego, while Israel’s girl-power song Toy from singer Netta is another top favourite to win.Bookies have also put Ireland, the record setter for the most wins, in third place to win.The Irish song caused a stir when a Chinese broadcaster refused to air Ryan O’Shaughnessy’s performance during the semi-final, which featured two men holding hands, prompting the European Broadcasting Union to withdraw rights for the final from China’s Mango TV.Eurovision fan-nation Australia is once again among the finalists, although the betting odds at home are against Jessica Mauboy despite buzz around the singer, who has toured with Beyonce.The competition is taking place in Lisbon this year after Portugal’s 2017 win with Salvador Sobral’s Amar Pelos Dois love ballad.