Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

In case you missed it, that was Madonna there popping in to say hello ahead of her appearance later.

Wearing the eyepatch from her latest persona Madame X, she said she would be "bringing the heat tonight".

We believe you Madge.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

With all the songs sung, Eurovision had a bit of nostalgic fun by bringing some old favourites to the stage.

The twist is that all got to sing each other's songs.

For those still trying to put a name to a bearded face, that was 2014 winner Conchita Wurst (above) singing Heroes, Mans Zelmerlow's 2014 Eurovision-winning song.

Then came Mans singing last year's second-placed song Fuego, followed by Eleni Foureira singing Dancing Lasha Tumbai from 2007.

That, of course, was a hit for Ukraine's Verka Serduchka, who came on next - glitterball headpiece and all - to sing last year's winning song Toy.

And then we had Gali Atari rounding things off with Hallelujah, Israel's 1979 Eurovision winning song. Phew!

Image source, Adri Loloci

It could only be a Eurovision party - thanks for the pic Adri Loloci. Looks like you're having fun, hope your knees aren't cold!

Image source, Zdravko Gunjevic

Zdravko Gunjevic in Canada sent us this photo of a Eurovision party.

"We have a party each year, complete with a trophy and prizes for the winner. Each person brings food and/or drinks from the country they are cheering for!" he says.

Image source, Clan Cameron/Dunn family

Whether it's a horned helmet or a flash of face paint, everyone is celebrating Eurovision in their own way! These pictures were sent by Cameron [L] and the Dunns in Southport.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, EPA

No, he's not taking the mickey. Spain's representative is really called Miki - which is short for Miguel Nunez Pozo.

And it's left to him to perform the last song of the contest: an energetic Spanish-language track whose title, La Venda, means The Blindfold.

Miki performs his song against a house that's missing some walls, the better to see the explosions of colour projected behind it.

It also features an outsized human puppet that would look great seated on that giant chair we saw 20 songs ago.

That's all of this year's 26 songs sung, done and dusted. Which one was your favourite?

Image source, Getty Images

If you're thinking, "Hang on, Australia isn't in Europe!" you would, of course, be correct. It's literally on the other side of the world, so we're not surprised if you're scratching your heads.

When people ask this question about Israel or Azerbaijan, the answer is that they're in the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). That's not the case here, yet this is Australia's fifth time performing in Eurovision.

A TV network in Oz was showing the contest every year, and they were eventually invited to join in for Eurovision's 60th anniversary in 2013. It was intended to be a one-off but they've been invited back every year since and are now something of a Eurovision fixture.

FYI, if they did win - and tonight's entry is serving up some spectacular staging - it would be held in Europe. Australia would have to nominate a country in the EBU, and the talk is it would be Germany or the UK.

Image source, Phil Ambery

"Otto the Schnauzer is supporting Sweden and England in Gothenburg," writes Phil Ambery.

Horizontally.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, EPA

Poland didn't make it past the semi-final stage this year. But there are still poles left in the contest thanks to Australia's eye-catching contribution.

Suspended feet above the stage on a precariously pendulous mast, singer Kate Miller-Heidke gives a performance that's as visually audacious as her song, "popera" hybrid Zero Gravity, is musically daring.

Throw in a tuning fork tiara and a couple of Dementor-esque backing dancers from Melbourne-based troupe Strange Fruit and we have the makings of a classic Eurovision moment.

All in all, it's a stunning riposte to all those who pooh-pooh the idea of Australia taking part in the competition at all.

Could this be the year the Aussies go all the way?

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

It's time to up the tempo with some dirty dancing from Luca Hanni, Switzerland's answer to Justin Timberlake.

Hoofing up a storm in a black-and-white gilet and a see-through shirt, this 24-year-old from Bern sure knows how to bust some moves.

She Got Me is the last of the three songs tonight to have input from the prolific Laurell Barker, who has surely earned herself a cup of tea and a lie-down.

Only two songs to go now, though don't get too excited - Madonna won’t be on for ages yet.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, AFP

With its clouds of dry ice and frosty computer graphics, there's a definite Frozen feel to Serbian entry Kruna (Crown).

Singer Nevena Bozovic also seems to be homaging Angelina Jolie's famous pose from the 2012 Oscars with her thigh-exposing gown.

Image source, Getty Images

Her accessories, alas, look as if they've been lifted from the nearest cutlery drawer. Heaven knows how she got that lot past the metal detectors.

Bozovic, 24, has previous in this competition having been a member of My 3, the band who represented Serbia in 2013.

This poor pooch is a bit overwhelmed - Moose's owners, Matt and Tracyann from Epping, assure us that they're a lot more excited!

Image source, Matt and Tracyann

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

No sooner has one of the "big five" left the stage than another arrives with a song that has notched up more streams than any in the competition.

Soldi, meaning money, is an Italian-language track (with one line of Arabic) whose blend of music styles - rap, trap and R&B - reflect its singer's mixed-race heritage.

Milan-born singer Mahmood digs deep with this number, which unpacks his feelings towards an absent dad who cared more about making money than caring for his family.

The English translation of certain key lyrics is helpfully projected behind him on the arena's giant screen.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, EPA

Bilal Hassani is an LGBT activist and social media star whose song Roi (King) conveys an empowering message about self-acceptance.

It's a message mirrored on stage by his fellow performers.

Bilal has suffered cyber harassment and homophobic abuse since being selected to represent France.

Yet he's taken the trolling in his stride, calling his participation "the best response to the haters".

The performance he gives is both powerful and moving as the competitive part of the show enters its final stretch.

Image source, Getty Images

Anything goes, folks....

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

If there's a dark horse this year, it's probably Azerbaijani singer Chingiz and his super-catchy pop tune Truth.

A dynamic fusion of east and west, the song has him joined by a pair of robot laser arms that project a beating heart upon his chest.

If you are not singing "shut up about it" along with the Moscow-born 28-year-old by the end of the song, we will eat our metaphorical hats.

When not taking part in singing competitions, Chingiz likes backpacking, outdoor meditation and spending time with his dog.

If he's in need of some puppy treats, we know just the man.

Image source, Getty Images/Abi Shore

Abi Shore does! She's paid homage to Azerbaijan's memorable entry from 2017, which included a horse up a ladder for some reason... Abi's fabulous costume is EVERYTHING we love about Eurovision!

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Reuters

At just 16 years of age, Belarusian singer Zena is the youngest singer left in the competition.

Yet she already has experience, having co-hosted Junior Eurovision last year in Minsk. (She also provided Moana's voice in Russia.)

Zena - full name Zinaida Kupriyanovich - exudes a sassy perkiness that has seen her likened to Britney Spears and Dua Lipa.

Her catchy pop song Like It, meanwhile, comes with two body-flipping male dancers and another pair of thigh-high leather boots.

Did she and Tamta go to the same cobblers?

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, Getty Images

There's a whiff of Pop Idol wannabe Darius about Victor Crone, the Swede representing Estonia this year.

And there's more déjà vu in his song Storm, which shares its title with the one SuRie performed for the UK in Lisbon last year

It was a surprise when this year's Storm - a mellow slab of blandness with a squeally chorus - made it through the semi-final stage.

Its strongest suit is undoubtedly the tempest FX that envelop Crone near the end of a tune that is otherwise unlikely to linger in the memory.

Neil Smith
Entertainment reporter at the Eurovision Song Contest

Image source, AFP

Iceland's contribution to this year's contest is a thunderous techno ear-bleeder whose title, Hatrio mun sigra, means "hate will prevail."

It's performed by Hatari, an art collective from Reykjavik whose penchant for spikes, buckles and BDSM have made them quite the talking point.

Hatari have been quite outspoken about Israel's hosting of this year’s contest, leading some to predict their final performance may include a political statement - something frowned upon by the competition's organisers.

Then again, their presence here at all is a provocation in itself. If you're of a sensitive disposition, this might be a good time to go and put the kettle on.

By the way, the masked drummer on top of the cage is the son of Iceland's ambassador in London.