29 May 2012

Swedish singer wins Eurovision Song contest

10:34 am on 29 May 2012

Loreen of Sweden won the Eurovision Song contest, with her club track Euphoria.

The former Swedish Idol contestant led from early on in the voting, challenged only by Russia's Buranovo Grannies, Serbia and hosts Azerbaijan.

British entry Engelbert Humperdinck, 65, finished second from last with 12 points from Estonia, Latvia, Belgium and Ireland. Norway was in last place.

The BBC reports 26 countries took part in the final in the Crystal Hall in Baku, before a live audience of some 20,000.

Up to 125 million typically watch the annual contest on television around the world.

A combination of points from televoting and national juries decides the winner. Loreen, 28, scored 372 points.

''I love you so much. Thank you for believing in me,'' she told supporters, as she took to the stage to sing one final time.

Euphoria has already topped the charts in five countries, including Sweden and Finland.