Eurovision Song Contest Germany 2011

After Lena won the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with Satellite, the 2011 contest was held in Düsseldorf, Germany. It was the third time Germany hosted the contest and the first since reunification, after Frankfurt in 1957 and Munich in 1983. It was also the first contest outside a host country’s capital since Istanbul in 2004. The shows were held in the Esprit Arena, the host broadcaster was NDR on behalf of ARD and the presenters were Anke Engelke, Stefan Raab and Judith Rakers. 43 countries took part, equalling the record of 2008. The first semi-final was held on 10 May, the second on 12 May and the Grand Final on 14 May. Austria, Hungary, San Marino and Italy returned, Italy for the first time since 1997.

Ell and Nikki from Azerbaijan won with Running Scared and 221 points, 32 points ahead of Italy’s Madness of Love, which won the jury vote. Azerbaijan won the televote and the combined result. Sweden, Ukraine and Denmark completed the top five. It was Azerbaijan’s first victory, only four years after its debut, and the first win for a male-female duo since 1963.

Sources: EBU: Azerbaijan wins 56th Eurovision Song Contest; Wikipedia: Eurovision Song Contest 2011 (host broadcaster, presenters, participants, the jury result).