Balkan Rivals Battle for Eurovision Crown

Tensions are rising in Serbia, Bosnia and Romania, as their representatives ready to compete among the top 20 performers for the finals of the 55th Eurovision contest tonight, an event that is very closely watched by viewers in the Balkans.

The BBC reported on Friday that it looked like Serbia might win. The Serbian representative, Danica “Nina” Radojicic, stole the hearts of the crowd and judges alike with her performance of the song “Caroban” [Magical] on Saturday.

Radojcic's appearance at the national final reminded some viewers of the group Tajci, which represented Yugoslavia in the 1990 Eurovision Song Contest.

Bosnia's Dino Merlin was the first entrant from the second semi-finals with his self composed entry, Love In Rewind.

Since the introduction of the semi-finals, Romania is one of seven countries that has never missed a final. This year, it is represented by Hotel FM, with its song "Change".

The Eurovision Song Contest held annually, since 1956, is the biggest live non-sports event in the world with over 100 million viewers, more than the Superbowl or Rugby World Cup finals, surpassed only as a live spectacle by the Olympics opening ceremony and the Football World Cup Final.