Image source, Getty Images

The odds for the grand final are still jostling for position on Oddschecker, which compiles all the big bookmakers.

Russia still have an unassailable lead for the moment, but their odds are now 4/6, with Australia at 11/2 and Ukraine pushing up into third place with 9/1. France are next with 14/1 and Sweden are still fifth with 16/1.

The UK [pictured] are at 66/1 but this would put them in a pretty respectable 10th place. 

Image source, Getty Images

The Eurovision producers have spoken, and the running order for Saturday's grand final is out. Favourites Russia are playing 18th, while the UK are almost at the end in 25th place. 

Will this have an impact on our chances? We'll just have to wait and see.  

Here is that all-important list in full:

1. Belgium 

2. Czech Republic 

3.The Netherlands 

4. Azerbaijan 

5. Hungary 

6. Italy 

7. Israel 

8. Bulgaria 

9. Sweden 

10. Germany 

11. France 

12. Poland 

13. Australia 

14. Cyprus 

15. Serbia 

16. Lithuania 

17. Croatia 

18. Russia 

19. Spain 

20. Latvia 

21. Ukraine 

22. Malta 

23. Georgia 

24. Austria 

25. United Kingdom 

26. Armenia

Image source, Getty Images

And what has the semi-final done to the betting odds online?

Russia are still at the top, with odds of 4/5. Next are Australia [pictured] with 7/1 and France with 9/1. Ukraine follow just behind with 10/1 and then hosts Sweden with 16/1. 

The UK are trailing a bit with 50/1 but Joe and Jake gave a credible performance that had everyone in the press room clapping. 

It's all to play for. 

Image source, Getty Images

Belarus's hotly anticipated performance by Ivan DID include him appearing naked with a wolf, as he promised. 

But the wolf was computer-generated, as was he - although he was most definitely starkers. His modesty was preserved though. 

When he sang in the flesh on stage, he was in a beige suit. Sadly it wasn't enough to get him into the final. 

Image source, Getty Images

It's quite an experience watching the second semi-final, from what I can only describe as the liveliest press room I've ever sat in. 

There are whoops, cheers and roars of delight, not to mention flags being waved. 

Naturally I'm remaining an impartial commentator throughout. 

And the results are in. 

The biggest cheers were for Israel [pictured], Ukraine and Australia getting through. 

But Ireland's Nicky Byrne didn't make it, which came as quite a shock to the press room. 

The other acts to get through were Latvia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Poland, Lithuania and Belgium.   

Image source, Getty Images

Well, these Eurovison entrants just keep coming. Cheryl Baker - who won Eurovision in 1981 as part of Bucks Fizz - was in the press room so I grabbed five minutes with her. 

Her personal favourite from the first semi-final is the Netherlands. And tonight she's rooting for Ireland's Nicky Byrne, of Westlife fame.

But she says it's anybody's guess who will win. 

"You can say until you're blue in the face that it's all political, but the best song always wins," she adds.

Her favourite aspect of Eurovision is that it's a "really happy occasion that brings the world together" with "no nastiness or cattiness". 

Image source, Getty Images

She is quick to defend Eurovision against those who don't rate it, saying: "If A-lister Justin Timberlake has agreed to perform on Saturday, why would anyone deride the competition?". 

And what of her memories of winning? 

"It was in Ireland and they really know how to throw a party. But it was much smaller than this, and there weren't that many countries competing!" she laughs. 

She said they only won by four points so it was "very, very nerve-racking". 

 "It was my childhood dream to win so it changed my life," she adds.   

Not entirely surprisingly I just bumped into UK entrants Joe and Jake. They've recorded a version of their song for tonight's live semi final. 

They have to wait until Saturday until they can perform live. As part of the Big Five countries which put the most money into Eurovision (Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the UK), they escape the semis. 

But don't they just wish they were up onstage with everyone else? 

 Well, yes. 

 Joe is evidently enjoying every second and says: "We wish we were performing live, as we love that stage so much and can't wait to get back on it." 

Jake is pragmatic, saying "it's great that people around Europe are getting a taste of our performance for the final".

Competition is stiff this year, so how do they feel? 

Joe says that having seen the high standard out there, "we are definitely bringing our A game on Saturday night".

 Jake adds: "We are feeling strong."

Well I'm here now at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm - a kind of giant golf ball which just happens to be the world's largest spherical building. It's truly impressive and makes for a very curvaceous skyline, which seems somehow appropriate for Eurovision.  

The press room is also cavernous, located next door to the Globe in another arena-like building called the Hovet. It is full of desks and huge screens so we can watch the show, and we've seen and heard the rehearsal for tonight's semi-final. My lips are sealed.  

The Swedish think of everything, so our welcome pack includes a water bottle, rain poncho, pen and some hairspray. I can stay hydrated, dry and coiffured - what more could a girl want?  

Everyone working here has been incredibly efficient and helpful, and they even have life-affirming messages posted around the press centre, such as this one:  

So far this is a very welcoming, friendly event, resulting in a happy band of hacks swapping tips and business cards.  

Leslie Skipper, a journalist working with the Maltese entrant, Ira Losco, has offered a nugget of happy news about her. She's expecting a baby, which has meant that her dress had to be "let out a bit".  

Image source, Reuters

He says: "Since her song is Walk On Water it's not hard to guess the jokes the commentators will make about breaking waters.

"There are only six people maximum allowed on stage (she has a dancer and backing singers) so we will bill her bump as her Seventh Wonder. That's the song she was runner-up with in Eurovision 2002."

I've been speaking to John Kennedy O'Connor, broadcaster and author of The Eurovision Song Contest: The Official Celebration, who begs to differ with Simon about the frontrunner.

"For months now, everyone seems to be thinking that all Russia has to do is show up and the victory is theirs. 

Image source, Getty Images

"Yet now rehearsals have begun, the extremely elaborate staging for You Are The Only One and the weak singing voice of Sergey Lazarev has put the assumed victory in doubt.

"The fans following the rehearsals seem to be moving towards France for the win now with J'ai Cherche from Amir.

"Personally, the French song sounds far, far too similar to Sweden's 2013 entry that crashed and burned.

"My own instinct all along has been that Italy has the song most likely to challenge the Russians this year and I'd love to see Francesa Michielin triumph with No Degree Of Separation."

He adds that the "Marmite entry" this year, out of all the contestants, was San Marino's I Didn't Know by Turkish superstar Serhat.

Image source, Reuters

And what about the UK?

"The UK has been well thought of and the likable Joe and Jake are clearly engaging with the fans and the audience," he says.

"But You're Not Alone is certainly not strong enough to win and unfortunately, Denmark has submitted an almost identical track, Soldiers Of Love.

"Both nations are going to have to work very hard to differentiate themselves should Denmark reach the final. Ireland's song is pretty similar too.

"I'm not sure how far Westlife's enormous popularity spread beyond Ireland and the UK, but I am sure Nicky Byrne has many fans outside the British Isles. However, that's rarely enough on its own to claim a victory."

O'Connor adds that other countries creating a buzz in rehearsals are Ukraine, Serbia, Norway and not forgetting Sweden.

With the big night just two days away, speculation is hotting up as to who will win. 

So what do some of the Eurovision experts think? 

Simon Bennett is secretary of the OGAE UK, part of a network of 42 Eurovision Song Contest fan clubs across Europe and beyond. 

He is optimistic about the Joe and Jake's chances, saying: "The UK has its best chance of a good finish in years. 

We have a catchy song performed by two enthusiastic and instantly likeable guys.  

Image source, AFP/Getty

"However, the competition is really tough this year with several very strong songs.

"Russia are the front runners with an upbeat song performed with great style. It's very "Eurovision" but could play well with TV voters.

"After years in the doldrums France has a very strong entry, sung partly in English, much to the chagrin of the French government minister responsible for defending the Gallic tongue from Anglo-Saxon encroachments. France hasn't won for 40 years so they are due a good finish."

Image source, AFP/Getty

He describes Australia as "serious contenders with a classy power ballad" and says Cyprus, the Netherlands, Austria and Poland are also worth watching. 

"Ireland is looking to Westlife veteran Nicky Byrne but the song may struggle to make its mark in its semi-final, and a famous name may not be enough to carry it through. 

I think it's unlikely to be at the top of the scoreboard come Saturday," he adds.

Hello from sunny Stockholm - I've just landed on a plane from London bursting with Eurovision fans. 

One of my fellow passengers, Owen Brigstock-Barron, is meeting five friends in the Swedish capital. 

 "We've hired an Air B&B with a Swedish cat," he tells me, adding they're all going to tonight's semi-final (except the cat, which has better things to do, obviously). 

"On Saturday night, we're having a house party to watch the final," he says, although he's sad at the prospect of missing out on Graham Norton's distinctive BBC commentary.  

Owen's got all his Eurovision paraphernalia packed in his suitcase - inflatable union flag lips, an inflatable electric guitar and of course, a giant British flag to wave. 

But he did whip out a cheeky pair of sunglasses from his hand luggage to get him in the mood. 

He's not keen on the hot favourite Russia, Sergey Lazarev's special-effects laden You Are the Only One. 

Owen's money is on the Netherlands winning, with Douwe Bob singing the tuneful, folk-tinged Slow Down. 

And he's also placed a bet on the UK's Joe and Jake, with their upbeat pop song You're Not Alone, after their odds shortened recently from 50/1 to 25/1. 

It's time to dust off your sequins and fly your flag of choice for this year's Eurovision Song Contest. 

The BBC's Helen Bushby is in the Swedish capital Stockholm, to bring you the latest from behind the scenes and give you a taste of the Eurovision experience. 

And don't forget to check out the BBC Entertainment News team's Twitter feed, external and on Instagram, external. 

For videos of all the entrants, visit the Eurovision website, external and you can see all the BBC goings-on here.