Excitement is now at fever pitch for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, with a fan counting the hours until the annual event crown another winner in Saturday's final.
There was heartbreak for Eurovision fans all across the world in 2020, when, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, it was confirmed that that year' show had bee pulled completely, as Rotterdam prepared to be host city. The contest instead took the form of a virtual event, with each of the intended acts given the chance to showcase their songs via video, as well as joining together in a mass rendition of classic winner Love Shine A Light.
Rotterdam finally got its chance to put on a show in May 2021, when Italian act Maneskin triumphed after a very closely run battle for victory with France and Switzerland. The rock group have since onto score great success in both the UK and USA and their 2021 triumph means that this year's contest is happening in Italy.
READ MORE: Eurovision final running order as 'dark horse' emerges for win
The home nation are among the countries tipped to do well on the leaderboard. The Eurovision final odds are still pointing to a Ukraine victory, but the UK's Sam Ryder, Norway's Subwoolfer, host nation Italy, Serbia's entry Konstrakta who sang about Meghan Markle and Sweden's Cornelia Jakobs are said to be in with a strong chance of winning.
Where is Eurovision this year?
While we've known since last May that it would be Italy's job of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest this year, more recently it was confirmed that the concert's home this year will be the Pala Olimpico arena in Turin.
The arena hosted both Eurovision semi finals on Tuesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 12 respectively and will host the grand final on Saturday, May 14.
As well as popstar Mika, the Eurovision hosts this year singer famed singer Laura Pausini and Italian TV presenter Alessandro Cattelan.
READ NEXT:
*Sam Ryder 'wins' Eurovision for UK before final has even started
*Why is Mika hosting Eurovision?
* Who is Sam Ryder? UK Eurovision act tipped to do well in Italy
*Sam Ryder's UK Eurovision victory hopes boosted further as performance clip goes viral
