Finland wins Eurovision song contest

05/20/2006 5:55 PM, Reuters


Finland was the surprise winner of the 51st Eurovision song contest on Saturday with the monster-themed hard rock band Lordi beating 23 other competitors.

Lordi scored 292 points from telephone voters in 38 countries with its song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" in a performance in Greece that both shocked and amused viewers.

Finishing in second place was Russia with 248 points going to Dima Bilan's "Never let you go."

Bosnia-Hercegovina was in third place with 229 points going to the group Hari Mata Hari singing the melodic "Layla."

The Eurovision contest, which launched the careers of Abba and Celine Dion, was broadcast live across Europe to an estimated audience of more than 100 million.

In Finland, young people on the streets of the capital Helsinki welcomed the news of their country's Eurovision triumph enthusiastically, although no big celebration was being planned.

"It's amazing that Finland has finally won something. Though I don't like Lordi myself, it's great! We don't win anything," said Mari Pelli, an 18-year-old childminder.

Groups of young people, mostly teenagers or in their early 20s, walked from one bar to another in Helsinki singing the winning song, shouting the lyrics of Hard Rock Hallelujah at the tops of their voices.

"I don't like the band but I'm very happy that they won. Eurovision is a show for entertainment, not for music," said Mikko Mattila, a 30-year-old student.

"It's not Sibelius, but they have their own way. Lordi is the best," said Satu Puolakka, a 19-year-old student.

(Additional reporting by Rex Merrifield in Helsinki)