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08:18 GMT, Friday, 23 May 2008 09:18 UK

Portugal back in Eurovision final

Portugal's Vania Fernandes

Portugal are returning to the Eurovision Song Contest final for the first time since 2003 after qualifying from the second semi-final in Belgrade.

Sweden - who topped the BBC's Eurovision vote - also went through, along with fellow Scandinavian entrants Denmark and Iceland.

Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia, Croatia, Latvia and Albania also qualified.

The 25 finalists for Saturday's main event are now in place, with the UK performing second in the running order.

Macedonia falters

Euroband, who qualified for Iceland with dance tune This Is My Life, are their country's first representatives in the final since 2004.

Albania, who are represented by 16-year-old Olta Boka, have also made the final cut after a break of three years.

The buzz from Belgrade

Croatia's 75-year-old performer 75 Cent

But neighbour FYR Macedonia did not make the final after successfully qualifying in the previous four contests.

Switzerland's Paolo Meneguzzi, who was highly favoured by fans and came third in the BBC's poll, failed to make the grade.

UK viewers were able to vote in Thursday night's semi-final, but their choices will not be revealed until after Saturday night's winner has been declared.

After the semi-final results in Serbia, the draw for the final was completed.

Sweden's Charlotte Perrelli, who won the contest in 1999, will be 15th in the running order - the same spot from where she was victorious nine years ago.



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