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Norway's Fairytale ending

06 January 2017 at 18:00 CET
In the sixth instalment of our series looking back at the most successful entries from recent host countries, we focus on Norway which staged the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. Norway has the dubious record of finishing last most times (11 in total), including scoring nul points on four occasions. On the other hand, Norway has won the contest three times and scored the biggest margin of victory ever in 2009. When it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest, Norway can be described as a country of extremes but also one where fairytales do come true.

Nora Brockstedt gave Norway its first top five placing when the country debuted in 1960. She performed Voi Voi in London and finished in fourth place. She must've enjoyed the experience since she returned and took Norway into the top ten again the following year. It wasn't long before Norway hit rock bottom though, finishing last with nul points in 1963. Prior to the first Norwegian victory in 1985, the country had only once reached the top five, in 1966.

Ten years after Bobbysocks won with La Det Swinge, Secret Garden scored the second victory for Norway with Nocturne. The following year in Oslo, Norway finished second for the one and to date, only time, when Elisabeth Andreassen represented the country on home ground with the song I evighet. Andreassen has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest on four occasions; once for Sweden in 1982 and three times for Norway in 1985, 1994 and 1996.

Norway has finished last in every decade since the 1960s and more recently Norway finished last in Baku in 2012 with Stay performed by Tooji. However it's not all bad news, since the semi-finals were introduced Norway has only failed to qualify for the final on three occasions.  

Despite the disappointing placings, the country also holds the record for the biggest margin of victory ever when Alexander Rybak's Fairytale beat second-placed Iceland by a whopping 169 points. Norway's continued participation in the Eurovision Song Contest is a testament to the country's endurance; if at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again.

In recent years the country has had a string of top ten results but which are the most successful Norwegian entries of all time? Check out our top ten video to find out!