United Kingdom

United Kingdom
Artist - Blue
Song - I Can
Draw - Final, Place 14

Blue are a successful Britsh boyband, who rose to fame in the early 2000s. Blue consists of Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Antony Costa and Simon Webbe. In May 2001 they released their debut single "All Rise", which reached number 4 in the British charts. After this they released many singles and had seven worldwide number ones. In 2004/5 they decided to split, and to try and concentrate on their individual careers.

On the 19th January 2011, it was announced that Blue would represent the United Kingdom in Germany, with the song "I Can". When they perform at Eurovision, it will coincide with their 10 year anniversary. The song was described as a true British anthem, as well as having the typical "Blue" feel to it. The song was first performed on the 11th March, on The Graham Norton Show, although a snippet of the song had been released a few days prior to this.

"I Can", was written and composed by Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Ciaron Bell, Ben Collier, Ian Hope and Liam Keenan.

Current Betting Odds (William Hill) - 6/1
My Prediction - This will be the year that the UK make their true comeback. Top 6!

                                 Good Luck!!

What do the Statistics predict??

As any Eurovision fan would know, it is thought that if you are drawn to sing nearer to the end of the contest, you are more likely to qualify for the final, or win the show. ESC fan site, ESCNation, recently released the odds of each country getting through, in terms of their draw. Lets have a look (the percentage shows the chance of qualification) -  

1. 50% (Poland / Bosnia-Herzegovina)
2. 50% (Norway / Austria)
3. 25% (Albania / Netherlands)
4. 25% (Armenia / Belgium)
5. 13% (Turkey / Slovakia)
6. 38% (Serbia / Ukraine)
7. 38% (Russia / Moldova)
8. 50% (Switzerland / Sweden)
9. 38% (Georgia / Cyprus)
10. 75% (Finland / Bulgaria)
11. 38% (Malta / FYR-Macedonia)
12. 50% (San Marino / Israel)
13. 75% (Croatia / Slovenia)
14. 100% (Iceland / Romania)
15. 50% (Hungary / Estonia)
16. 75% (Portugal / Belarus)
17. 50% (Lithuania / Latvia)
18. 88% (Azerbaijan / Denmark)
19. 75% (Greece / Ireland)

So it seems that place number 14 is the most likely to qualify, with place number 5 the least likely. But with Turkey at place 5 this year, do you think that could change?

Check back later today, when the profile of the United Kingdom will be added!

Who are the favourites so far??

After a few weeks of knowing all of the participating songs in this years Eurovision, betting agents and Eurovision websites have been quick to reveal who they think has the winning formula to win this year.

Amaury Vassili, the
French
Representative

        

 
William Hill (A UK bookmaker) favours France to win, with the UK, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Sweden and Germany close behind. They also predict FYR Macedonia, Malta and Portugal being at the bottom. A prediction that I don't think will be far wrong!!

Eurovision fan site, The Eurovision Times, favour Estonia to be the front runner, with Amaury Vassili from France in a close second. Eric Saade of Sweden is in third with the UK in a steady fourth with boyband, Blue. Last years winner Lena, completes the top 5.

Estonian, Getter Jaani, is
one of the favourites on
ESC Nation 

ESC Nation, has a poll running for each country to award points to others, in the traditional Eurovision fashion. Since the poll opened a few weeks ago, the top three have not yet changed, with Kati Wolfe, Eric Saade and Getter Jaani, from Hungary, Sweden and Estonia respectively, changing from positions 1 to 3. The UK are in fourth with Germany and France battling it out for the 5th place.

 


ESC Today have their tradtional "Big Poll". Here is whats predicted by the European public, as to which ten countries will make it through to the final.

Semi-final 1 (participants in alphabetical order)

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Russia & Turkey

Semi-final 2 (participants in alphabetical order)

Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Israel, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden & The Netherlands


So do these predictions match what you think will happen?

Stay tuned for Croatia's profile blog, later today.