Eurovision 2014 Grand Final: Everything you need to know!

So the big night has finally arrived! 26 countries all hoping not only to carry a tune but also the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 trophy home with them.

The semi-finals have given us a glimpse of the performers and their songs, but how will the contestants cope with the strain of the big night? The eyes of all Europe – and beyond – are on Copenhagen tonight. But who's going to win? Can the UK do it?

We'll be tweeting like there's no tomorrow so make sure you let us know what you think of the show.

Here's who we'll be listening to, in running order:

Ukraine: Marima Yaremchuk – Tick-Tock

Coming from a musical family, Mariya first found fame in her own right as a contestant on The Voice, eventually finishing in fourth place. Tick-Tock, which Mariya wrote herself, is a genuine toe-tapper – not to mention hand-clapper – and its tune probably wouldn’t be too out of place on a Marina And The Diamonds album. Maybe not the lyrics, though.

EUROVISION FORM: Ukraine won 10 years ago with Ruslana’s Wild Dances, and finished third last year.

Belarus: Teo – Cheesecake

Cheesecake is an acoustic-style funk pop number that has definitely shared a taxi with Olly Murs’ Troublemaker at some point on its journey. Teo is a solo singing star who looks like he’s been watching Robin Thicke and thinking "Hmmm, I reckon that's the look for me". And he could be right.

EUROVISION FORM: Belarus’ best performance so far saw them make it to sixth place in 2007.

Azerbaijan: Dilara Kazimova – Start A Fire

It’s Dilara’s third attempt to represent her country at Eurovision, and after some big successes for Azerbaijan over the last few years, she has some big boots to fill. Start A Fire certainly has big ambitions, with sweeping strings and a bucket of emotion from Dilara.

EUROVISION FORM: Azerbaijan has finished in the top 5 every year since 2009, winning in 2011 and grabbing second place last year – can they do it again?

Iceland: Pollapönk – No Prejudice

Bright-suited band Pollapönk are big names in their native Iceland, releasing their first album in 2006. No Prejudice is a fun song with a message – be nice to each other. It’s a bit like Busted, with a dash of McFly and a side order of beautifully bonkers. Their disco dancing with guitars is a thing of wonder.

EUROVISION FORM: Iceland has finished second a couple of times, but have no wins yet. Their most recent runner-up spot was 2009’s Final, when Yohanna sang Is It True

Norway: Carl Espen – Silent Storm

It’s a family affair for newcomer Carl Espen, who sings a song composed by cousin Josefin. Despite entering and winning a local singing competition as a youngster, Carl is brand new to the music industry, never before releasing any singles. Will it be beginner’s luck for Carl with this piano-led ballad?

EUROVISION FORM: Norway has won three times, most recently in 2009 with Alexander Rybak.

Romania: Paula Seling & Ovi – Miracle

It’s second time around for these big Romanian stars. Famous in their own right, but regular duetting partners, Paula and Ovi first represented Romania in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, where they finished third. Miracle is a Guetta-esque dance track which comes from Ovi’s brilliantly titled album A Bit Of Pop Won’t Hurt You. There are some amazing special effects in their performance – they take 'going for it' to a whole new level.

EUROVISION FORM: Romania has never won, but they have managed third place twice.

Armenia: Aram MP3 – Not Alone

Aram is something of a household name in his home country, with presenting spots on X Factor and Armenian Idol under his belt. Not Alone, co-written by Aram himself, starts off as a huge ballad before getting its swag on, bringing in a dubstep wobble two thirds of the way in. 

EUROVISION FORM: Armenia’s best showing in the Eurovision Song Contest so far was fourth place in 2008.

Montenegro: Sergej Cetkovic – Moj Svijet

Sergej has been in the business 14 years and is a huge popstar in Montenegro. Moj Svijet (meaning: “my world”) is a haunting, traditional ballad and the only other song on the night not to be sung in English.

EUROVISION FORM: Prior to this year, Montenegro never reached the final.

Poland: Donatan & Cleo – My Słowianie – We Are Slavic

My Słowianie is the first collaboration between producer Donatan and former X Factor contestant Cleo (below left). The tune mixes traditional Polish sounds with an Iggy Azalea vibe, if you can imagine such a thing. Donatan isn't on stage for the performance – he's made room for an extra dancer. The dancing is key. Keep your eyes on the dancing. 

EUROVISION FORM: This is Poland's first time in the Grand Final since 2008, when they finished 24th. They managed second place in 1994, with Edyta Górniak.

Greece: Freaky Fortune FT RiskyKidd – Rise Up

Duo Freaky Fortune is getting down with the trumpets in this summery dance track, and they’ve brought London-born rapper RiskyKidd along for the ride. The insanely catchy Rise Up sounds like about a hundred different songs playing at once – in the best possible way.

Watch out for an extra bit of bounce at the end of their performance. BOING.

EUROVISION FORM: Greece has won just once before, with Helena Paparizou, in 2005. Interesting fact: Helena was in the running to represent Sweden this year, but Sanna Nielsen beat her to it.

Austria: Conchita Wurst – Rise Like A Phoenix

Every Eurovision needs a bit of drama and the second semi-final’s slice comes thanks to drag artist Tom Neuwirth, performing under his stage name Conchita Wurst.

Rise Like A Phoenix is a melodramatic torch song that wouldn’t be out of place as a Bond theme or maybe on a Celine Dion album. Conchita’s eye-catching look is definitely one to watch – he’s been the talk of Eurovision and this one’s a serious contender.

EUROVISION FORM: Austria last won in 1966, so they are long overdue another taste of victory. Can Conchita carry it home?

Germany: Elaiza – Is It Right

Trio Elaiza mix traditional instruments like the accordion and the double bass with bang up-to-date beats and lyrics on Is It Right, showing how common pop-folk crossovers (or “neofolk” songs) are becoming on Eurovision. Elaiza are relative newcomers to the music scene, forming last year.

EUROVISION FORM: Germany has taken the Eurovison crown twice, first with Nicole in 1982 and then with Lena in 2010.

Sweden: Sanna Nielsen – Undo

An early favourite, Sanna Nielsen tried out to represent her country at Eurovision an incredible six times before it was seventh time lucky in 2014’s Melodifestivalen.

Sanna’s been releasing music since she was 12 and certainly knows her way around a stage. Undo is a huge electronic ballad – think Wrecking Ball but with considerably more clothes on.

EUROVISION FORM: Sweden are, of course, among the Royals of Eurovision, taking home the gong five times, starting with ABBA’s Waterloo in 1974. Their most recent win was 2012’s, er, euphoric song Euphoria, from Loreen.

France: TWIN TWIN – Moustache

France are certainly having fun with their entry this year, with TWIN TWIN bringing an LMFAO-style flavour to the competition.

Moustache is a bouncy, unashamedly cheesy dance track about that problem many young men face – the inability to grow a moustache. Yes, really.

EUROVISION FORM: France has won five times, but it’s been a while since their last victory, when Marie Myriam took the trophy home in 1977.

Russia: Tolmachevy Sisters – Shine

Russia have a secret weapon in these twin sisters from Kursk – they’ve won Eurovision before! Well, kind of. The girls were champions of 2006’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest at the age of nine. Awww.

Now they’re back and want a piece of the main contest action with Shine, a powerful dramatic track which has more than a hint of Mutya-era Sugababes, along with a few traditional elements. If the performance is anything to by, the sisters would be a lot of fun in your local adventure playground.

EUROVISION FORM: Russia has taken home the Eurovision trophy once, when Dima Bilan won with Believe in 2008.

Italy: Emma – La Mia Città

Rock singer Emma is one of many Eurovision hopefuls who got their big break on a talent show. Since winning Amici di Maria De Filippi in 2010, Emma has had big success in Italy and has won lots of awards.

But can the Eurovision prize belong to her? La Mia Città (meaning: “my city”) is a ballsy rock song along similar lines to some of Girls Aloud's more bolshy efforts, with added guitar. And then some more guitar on top of that.

EUROVISION FORM: Italy has won twice, last taking home the trophy in 1990.

Slovenia: Tinkara Kovač – Round And Round

Tinkara brings something a little different to Eurovision – she’s also a talented flautist. The flute does make an appearance in Round And Round, which is sung in English and Slovene and was co-written by Slovenia’s 2013 Eurovision entry, Hannah Mancini. 

EUROVISION FORM: Slovenia’s best placing so far was finishing seventh back in 2001.

Finland: Softengine – Something Better

Finnish band Softengine have enjoyed a whirlwind trip to Eurovision – they were signed to a record label only this year. It’s easy to see why – Something Better doesn’t sound too unlike anything our very own Bastille would if they were in uptempo mood. It’s even got some chanting thrown in.

EUROVISION FORM: Finland scored an unforgettable victory in 2006 with metal act Lordi, pretty much changing the face of Eurovision for ever.

Spain: Ruth Lorenzo – Dancing In The Rain

Eage-eyed readers may recognise the name of the Spanish entry. Why, yes, it is the UK X Factor’s very own Ruth Lorenzo, who finished fifth on the show in 2008. Ruth still looks and sounds as great as ever on Dancing In The Rain, a Ryan Tedder-esque tune sung in both Spanish and English. Ruth co-wrote the track with McFly’s producer, and it’s already been a Top 10 hit in Ruth’s native Spain.

EUROVISION FORM: Spain won consecutively in 1968 and 1969 – but they haven’t done any better since then, despite coming second four times.

Switzerland: Sebalter – Hunter Of Stars

You’ve got to get a gimmick if you want to stand out on Eurovision, and Sebalter’s hoping his whistling and his fiddle-playing will be enough to make voters pick up the phone. Oh that and his dreamy eyes, of course.

Hunter Of Stars, a folky-rocky uptempo number, is Sebalter’s first solo single – he spent 12 years playing in Swiss rock band The Stalkers.

EUROVISION FORM: Switzerland’s Lys Assia won the first ever Eurovision in 1956, and their most recent win was in 1988 with someone you may have heard of – only Celine blinkin’ Dion! Oh yes.

Hungary: András Kállay-Saunders – Running

New York-born Andràs is another former talent show star hoping he can grab the Eurovision crown. After trying twice to represent Hungary, it was third time lucky for Running, Andràs’ self-penned, tragic tale of domestic violence.

Despite the serious subject matter, there’s an uplifting drum and bass feel to Running – think Emeli Sandé’s Heaven.

EUROVISION FORM: Hungary’s best placing so far is fourth in 1994, but András looks like a strong contender to better that.

Malta: Firelight – Coming Home

Richard, the lead singer of folk band Firelight tried out for The X Factor UK the same year Leona Lewis won, making it through to bootcamp. Coming Home, which has a flavour of Gary Barlow’s Let Me Go, is an uplifting tune that should see Malta make it to the final.

EUROVISION FORM: Malta has never won, but has finished in second place twice. 

Denmark: Basim – Cliché Love Song

The reigning champions have gone for a completely different sound from last year’s winner Emmelie de Forest. Cliché Love Song has a definite Bruno Mars feel and former X Factor star Basim definitely does. The upbeat love song is backed by a joyful stage performance with lots of dancing.

EUROVISION FORM: Denmark has won three times: 2013, of course, then 2000 and then waaaay back in 1963!

The Netherlands: The Common Linnets – Calm After The Storm

Two solo singer-songwriters, Ilse DeLange and Wylon (above right) have joined forces to represent their country. Ilse has been a huge star in her home country for 15 years, while Waylon first found fame on Holland’s Got Talent in 2008.

Calm After The Storm is an atmospheric track that sounds a little like Lana Del Rey might if she speeded things up a bit or covered a Crowded House tune. Maybe. No? Oh, well, maybe you're right.

EUROVISION FORM: Netherlands has won four times – but not for quite a while. Their last victory was with Teach-In in 1975.

San Marino: Valentina Monetta – Maybe (Forse)

Valentina has Eurovision form: she represented San Marino in both the 2012 and 2013 contests, both times stalling at the semi-final stage. Optimistic ballad Maybe magically gets its hands on a light disco beat halfway through.

EUROVISION FORM: Before 2014, San Marino had never made it past the semi-final stage.

United Kingdom: Molly – Children Of The Universe

And finally, our very own Molly, who’s hoping that Children Of The Universe can be just the song we need to end the UK’s dry spell when it comes to Eurovision glory.

In a recent interview with OfficialCharts.com, Molly told us: “[Children of the Universe] is about feeling a bit lost and worthless and then realising you are everything and you are integral to everything that’s happening at this present time. It’s a bit deeper than baking a cake and some of the other entries that are in Eurovision!” Ooh, we love a bit of rivalry!

EUROVISION FORM: We’ve won five times, but our most recent victory was back in 1997, when Katrina And The Waves broke a 16-year drought with Love Shine A Light.