From the minute that the very first delegation from Azerbaijan turned up at Europe's Favourite TV Show in Belgrade in 2008, it became evident that the nation were going to take the competition very seriously, and were ambitious to register a victory sooner rather than later.
This of course happened in 2011, and back in May 2012 Baku was host city and put on a spectacularly impressive show.
Azerbaijan's record to date
First participation - 2008 - Elnur & Samir - Day After Day
Best result - Winners (2011) - Ell/Nikki - Running Scared
Semi-Final record - 4/4 attempts successful - 100% qualification record
Highest score in the Final - 221 (2011) - Ell/Nikki - Running Scared
Although Azerbaijan have only entered the Eurovision Song Contest on five occasions their worst result to date was a very impressive 8th place in the Final in 2008. Their other four attempts have all resulted in top five finishes, with Ell/Nikki bringing home the trophy in 2011. You can see the winning song in the video below.
This content is unfortunately no longer available
Facts about Azerbaijan's participation
Did you know that 2012 entrant Sabina Babayeva had tried to represent her country every single year since 2008?. She was finally chosen this year and finished in 4th place in the Final with When The Music Dies
The Baku Crystal Hall was constructed completely from scratch in order to host the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest
Azerbaijan has preferred the entries from Turkey since they began entering, awarding them the maximum 12 points in 2008,2009,2010 and 2012
Turkey has awarded Azerbaijan the maximum 12 points every year from 2008 to 2012. Malta has also awarded Azerbaijan 12 points for the last three years in succession from 2010 to 2012
Ironically, in 2011, Azerbaijan did not win the First Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, even though they won the Grand Final. This honour went to Loucas Yiorkas and Stereo Mike from Greece
You can see Sabina Babayeva's stunning performance of When The Music Dies, from the Grand Final of 2012 in the video below.
