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By Michael Osborn
Entertainment reporter, BBC News
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Can Charlotte Perrelli do the double?
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After two glittering and keenly-contested semi-final showdowns, the Eurovision Song Contest is heading for an exciting conclusion in Serbia.
According to seasoned pundits and bookmakers alike, the result could be a historic one.
Sweden's Charlotte Perrelli is hoping to capture a second crown to add to her 1999 victory after successfully negotiating Thursday's qualifier.
The singer topped the BBC's vote of song contest fans by a wide margin, but the bookies are less assured of her winning prowess.
A strong contender to outdo Perrelli on the big night is Ukraine's Ani Lorak with her pounding song, stunning routine and the strong backing of both fans and bet-makers.
While Ukraine tasted musical success in 2004, their vast neighbour Russia is still aching for a first win.
They are pulling out all the stops with Dima Bilan, who came second in 2006, and his emotive R&B song which has been touched by the hand of US producer Timbaland.
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BOOKIES' FAVOURITES
Russia (pictured) - 11/4
Ukraine - 7/2
Serbia - 8/1
Sweden - 8/1
Greece - 9/1
Source: Ladbrokes
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He has an excellent late position in the running order, but a very fussy stage routine which includes a violinist and ice dancer has drawn some criticism.
After a spine-tingling performance of dramatic ballad Senhora do Mar in Thursday's semi-final, Portugal have made their first final since 2003.
With a style not matched anywhere else in the competition, Vania Fernandes could bring the country its first victory in more than 40 attempts.
Other countries gunning for their first win and could be in with a shot after spirited semi-final showings include Iceland and Bosnia-Hercegovina's endearingly zany Laka.
Turkey's rock song helped the second semi-final off to a blistering start, while the country often benefits from its strident diaspora vote.
Jelena Tomasevic is charged with the task of representing Serbia on home turf, and is in the running bring the country two victories on the trot.
Comedy hit
The last country to achieve that feat was Ireland during their run of triumphs in the 1990s.
Close to Serbia's folksy, orchestral song in the line-up is an entry of great contrasts from Spain.
Rodolfo Chikilicuatre's zanily catchy nonsense song Baila El Chiki Chiki could infect the voters' imaginations and become a comedy hit.
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BBC EUROVISION VOTE
1 - Sweden
2 - Ukraine (pictured)
3 - Serbia
4 - Russia
5 - Portugal
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Pundits predict that Spain will perform the strongest of the "Big Four" countries, also including the UK, France and Germany - automatic finalists merely because they finance the contest.
The UK's Andy Abraham has a tricky draw, is a 66/1 bet with the bookmakers and was in the doldrums of the BBC's Eurovision vote.
But the entries from Germany and France are being tipped to land towards the bottom of the scoreboard.
This year's updated qualification process has seen a healthier balance of countries make the final cut from all corners of Europe.
But with all 43 countries returning to have their say in the final, the concerns over "neighbourly" voting may rear their ugly head again.
The Scandinavians are all present and correct this year, and can be expected to appreciate each other's shared heritage.
But the Balkan contingent is slightly weakened this year, meaning their neighbours could be moved to place their votes further afield.
The process could well be an exciting one this year, with a strong-line up which could bring a momentous result - or confound the pundits and throw up a big surprise.
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place on Saturday and is on BBC One from 2000 BST.
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BBC NEWS CHANNEL
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