What's been happening at the Fan Club desk

There are around 20-25 fans who have volunteered to work in short shifts, of around two hours, behind the fan club desk. Most of them are OGAE members, and in return for their assistance at the desk, they received accreditation, and it's fun for them if they are working alongside their friends.

They also organise the Press Centre voting, "this has been done every year since Athens, in 2006" explained Maiken "everyone who is accredited can vote, but also, this year it's rather special, as we are going to combine this vote with the vote that is taking place at the Euro Fan Cafe at the Folkets Park, so that we can have more votes - but looking at the board at the moment, there is no difference between the press and the fans. At the end of the day, we are all fans at heart."

The results of the polls are updated every hour, both on a traditional handwritten marker board, and also digitally displayed on a television screen. Over 400 votes had been registered prior to the First Semi-Final, and with more press and fans turning up each day, that figure will greatly increase before the Grand Final.

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Other activities have included signing sessions by author Gordon Roxburgh, of his book "Songs For Europe - The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest".

Apart from that continued Maiken "this year has been pretty quiet. We have been giving out information on what's going on. In the past, we've had fan meetings here, and we bring an artist along and they can meet them. This year we are not really doing that, as we haven't had so much time for that, as the Press Centre hasn't been open as long, and the schedule is tighter."

If you are interested in finding out more about the fan club and their activities have a look at the OGAE International website