Countdown to Baku - Oslo 2010

Welcome to the our penultimate stop on our road to Baku. This week we take a flying swoop from Moscow to Oslo where the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest was held after Alexander Rybak's resounding victory the year before with Fairytale. 

2010 Eurovision Song Contest - Oslo

For the first time since 2000 a country that had previously won the contest took victory again. Norway had won twice before in 1985 and 1995 so broadcaster NRK were a dab hand at organising Europe's favourite TV show. However in the 15 years between 1995 and 2010 a lot had changed. HD television had revolutionised our viewing experience and the contest had grown beyond recognition with two Semi-Finals and a Final. It also required a bigger venue than the last time it was held in Oslo in 1996, at the Oslo Spektrum arena. 

The contest was held on the 25th, 27th and 29th of May at the newly built Telenor Arena in Bærum, right next to Oslo. The arena is actually built on the site of the old Fornebu airport and was home to the football team Stabæk. 

39 countries took part in the competition in 2010 and for the first time it was possible to televote from the start of the performances and all the way through. This practice has however since been discontinued. 

We all know another reason why Oslo 2010 was a special year. For the first time since 1982 Germany won the Eurovision Song Contest when Lena Meyer-Landrut won with the song Satellite. It was the first time one of the "Big 5" countries had won the competition since the rule was introduced and brought the competition back to Germany for the first time since 1983, when it was held in Munich. 

The interval act of the 2010 contest was incredibly special, creating more buzz than any other since Riverdance in 1994. For the first time a European wide flash mob dance took place with the thousands of people in the arena joining people from all over our continent in a special dance to the song Glow by Madcon. Not something you see very often! 

As you know, Lena won the competition with 246 points with Turkey and Romania coming in second and third place with 170 points and 162 points respectively. 

So without further ado, sit back, relax and take a look at the recap of the 25 songs that took part in the final of the competition and of course we have the top three countries in full for you to view as well. Enjoy!

Top 3

Now that you have had a warm up, it's time to move onto the main action; the full length videos of the top 3 acts (Germany, Turkey and Romania). So feel free to take a look and we hope that you enjoy!!

1. Germany

Lena Meyer-Landrut - Satellite

2. Turkey

maNga - We Could Be The Same

3. Romania

Ovi & Paula Seling - Playing With Fire

Well, that was it for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest and remember we only have one more stop before we land at the Baku Crystal Hall in time for the first Semi-Final on the 22nd of May. Remember to watch out for the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf very soon!!