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Europe’s most popular entertainment competition is also one of the world’s most wagered-upon TV events: We’re talking about the Eurovision Song Contest here, a talent show watched by as many as 600 million television viewers plus another 75 million or so by online stream.

While the 2010 edition of the contest has a prospective winner pretty much wire to wire – last year, Alexander Rybak of Norway had shorter than 1/1 odds before the final – a heavy favorite has emerged only after the second-favorites,

A brief look at the leading contenders, with odds provided by Paddy Power, follows.

•  Sufara, “Drip Drop,” Azerbaijan. Country that only first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 has a near-certain winner this year with this easy, sappy ballad.

Representative (translated) lyrics: “I don’t know how to stop / How to stop / These tear drops / That drip drop, drip drop / Drip drop, drip drop.”

Odds: 6/4.

•  Eva Rivas, “Apricot Stone,” Armenia. Sentimental song of homeland and childhood stands a chance against Sufara, if only because it’s in English, a definite boost to any contender in this competition.

Representative lyrics: “Now I see the Northern stars / Shining brightly in the storm / And I’ve got an avatar / Of my love to keep me warm.”

Odds: 8/1.

•  Harel Skaat, “Milim,” Israel. The strongest entry from the pretty-boy category, Skaat has charisma to spare.

Representative (translated) lyrics: “The sadness is here again, the fear is here again / And the end is at my window. / Broken glass and silence again / Exhausted and forsaken in my mind.”

Odds: 12/1.

•  Manga, “We Could be the Same,” Turkey. Sensitive boy band implies a sort of cross-cultural “Romeo & Juliet” love story.

Representative lyrics: “But I know the world could be great / I can love you more than they hate / Doesn’t matter who they’ll blame / We can beat them at their own game.”

Odds: 12/1.

•  Niamh Kavanagh, “It’s for You,” Ireland. The once-dominant country returns to the Eurovision Song Contest final with perhaps its strongest entry in years.

Representative lyrics: “Look into these eyes / Hold onto these hands / Believe in this heartbeat.”

Odds: 14/1.

Other countries represented in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest final include Cyprus, Denmark, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine. The final round starts at 7pm CET on Saturday night.

Europe’s most popular entertainment competition is also one of the world’s most wagered-upon TV events: We’re talking about the Eurovision Song Contest here, a talent show watched by as many as 600 million television viewers plus another 75 million or so by online stream.

While the 2010 edition of the contest has a prospective winner pretty much wire to wire – last year, Alexander Rybak of Norway had shorter than 1/1 odds before the final – a heavy favorite has emerged only after the second-favorites,

A brief look at the leading contenders, with odds provided by Paddy Power, follows.

•  Sufara, “Drip Drop,” Azerbaijan. Country that only first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 has a near-certain winner this year with this easy, sappy ballad.

Representative (translated) lyrics: “I don’t know how to stop / How to stop / These tear drops / That drip drop, drip drop / Drip drop, drip drop.”

Odds: 6/4.

•  Eva Rivas, “Apricot Stone,” Armenia. Sentimental song of homeland and childhood stands a chance against Sufara, if only because it’s in English, a definite boost to any contender in this competition.

Representative lyrics: “Now I see the Northern stars / Shining brightly in the storm / And I’ve got an avatar / Of my love to keep me warm.”

Odds: 8/1.

•  Harel Skaat, “Milim,” Israel. The strongest entry from the pretty-boy category, Skaat has charisma to spare.

Representative (translated) lyrics: “The sadness is here again, the fear is here again / And the end is at my window. / Broken glass and silence again / Exhausted and forsaken in my mind.”

Odds: 12/1.

•  Manga, “We Could be the Same,” Turkey. Sensitive boy band implies a sort of cross-cultural “Romeo & Juliet” love story.

Representative lyrics: “But I know the world could be great / I can love you more than they hate / Doesn’t matter who they’ll blame / We can beat them at their own game.”

Odds: 12/1.

•  Niamh Kavanagh, “It’s for You,” Ireland. The once-dominant country returns to the Eurovision Song Contest final with perhaps its strongest entry in years.

Representative lyrics: “Look into these eyes / Hold onto these hands / Believe in this heartbeat.”

Odds: 14/1.

Other countries represented in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest final include Cyprus, Denmark, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine. The final round starts at 7pm CET on Saturday night.

1. Sebastien Vettel

A German on the Red Bull team, Vettel is the best in the business. In 2009 his big wins in China and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix helped bring him to the top.

2. Mark Webber

This Australian on the Red Bull team is often overshadowed by teammate Sebastien Vettel, yet with his consistently excellent performances is still one of the best.

3. Fernando Alonso

A Spaniard on the Ferrari team, Alonso has placed in top 3 of a race a whopping 55 times

4. Jenson Button

With 2010 being his first year on the McLaren team, Button silenced his critics by carrying the weight of his team (yes, over Lewis Hamilton) and miraculously winning races in poor weather conditions

5. Felipe Massa

A Brazilian on the Ferrari team, Massa has bounced back in big-time fashion after a crazy accident in Hungary in which a loose spring from another car hit his head and fractured his skull

6. Robert Kubica

On the Renault team, this Polish man’s second place at round two in Australia shocked everyone and sent reverberations through the Formula 1 racing community.

7. Lewis Hamilton

A confident and feared racer, Hamilton has found his match on the McLaren team with new teammate Jenson Button. His two impressive podiums from the four opening rounds keep him in the top 10

8. Nico Rosberg

A German on the Mercedes GP team, Rosberg looks to continue dominating his teammate Schumacher as he heads to Europe for more races. With his skilled maneuevers on the racetrack Rosberg has a knack for finding the podium almost every race

9. Michael Schumacher

A fan favorite, Schumacher has not done as well on the Mercedes GP team as he initially hoped. However, he heads to Europe with confident expectations and renewed vigor to overtake Rosberg in the standings

10. Adrian Sutil

Sutil has shattered expectations and ignored limitations as he held down the fort for the Force India team in the beginning of the 2010 season. He has already placed 3rd on 4 occasions as well as an incredible comeback 5th place in Malaysia.

Bet on F1

1. Sebastien Vettel

A German on the Red Bull team, Vettel is the best in the business. In 2009 his big wins in China and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix helped bring him to the top.

2. Mark Webber

This Australian on the Red Bull team is often overshadowed by teammate Sebastien Vettel, yet with his consistently excellent performances is still one of the best.

3. Fernando Alonso

A Spaniard on the Ferrari team, Alonso has placed in top 3 of a race a whopping 55 times

4. Jenson Button

With 2010 being his first year on the McLaren team, Button silenced his critics by carrying the weight of his team (yes, over Lewis Hamilton) and miraculously winning races in poor weather conditions

5. Felipe Massa

A Brazilian on the Ferrari team, Massa has bounced back in big-time fashion after a crazy accident in Hungary in which a loose spring from another car hit his head and fractured his skull

6. Robert Kubica

On the Renault team, this Polish man’s second place at round two in Australia shocked everyone and sent reverberations through the Formula 1 racing community.

7. Lewis Hamilton

A confident and feared racer, Hamilton has found his match on the McLaren team with new teammate Jenson Button. His two impressive podiums from the four opening rounds keep him in the top 10

8. Nico Rosberg

A German on the Mercedes GP team, Rosberg looks to continue dominating his teammate Schumacher as he heads to Europe for more races. With his skilled maneuevers on the racetrack Rosberg has a knack for finding the podium almost every race

9. Michael Schumacher

A fan favorite, Schumacher has not done as well on the Mercedes GP team as he initially hoped. However, he heads to Europe with confident expectations and renewed vigor to overtake Rosberg in the standings

10. Adrian Sutil

Sutil has shattered expectations and ignored limitations as he held down the fort for the Force India team in the beginning of the 2010 season. He has already placed 3rd on 4 occasions as well as an incredible comeback 5th place in Malaysia.

Bet on F1

Irish internet bookie Paddy Power has jumped on the news of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and has decided to offer its members odds on animal extinctions caused by the greasy mess. Kemp’s Ridley Turtle, an endangered species that migrates to the Gulf this time of year, is the favorite for the first to go, paying at 4 to 5. On the other hand, the gulf sturgeon, smalltooth sawfish and elkhorn coral all long shots with payout rates of 20 to 1.

These extinction odds are listed in the Current Affairs section under “BP Specials”, and are offered alongside odds on who will be the company’s next CEO.

Irish internet bookie Paddy Power has jumped on the news of the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and has decided to offer its members odds on animal extinctions caused by the greasy mess. Kemp’s Ridley Turtle, an endangered species that migrates to the Gulf this time of year, is the favorite for the first to go, paying at 4 to 5. On the other hand, the gulf sturgeon, smalltooth sawfish and elkhorn coral all long shots with payout rates of 20 to 1.

These extinction odds are listed in the Current Affairs section under “BP Specials”, and are offered alongside odds on who will be the company’s next CEO.

Ok, so it’s not literally volcano insurance, but it might as well be. The eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjoell volcano last month filled Europe’s skys with clouds of ash. This ash disrupted airline travel, and lead to the closure of some of the biggest airports in the world.

Scientists reported today that a second Icelandic volcano may erupt soon. Fortunately, bettors can cash in if they get their timing right! Over at Paddy Power Sportsbook, they are offering odds on what dates London’s Heathrow airport will be shut down due to ash clouds. Since experts are saying that another eruption could cause more closures, punters would do well to put some money down.

Visits Volcano Betting at Paddy Power

Ok, so it’s not literally volcano insurance, but it might as well be. The eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjoell volcano last month filled Europe’s skys with clouds of ash. This ash disrupted airline travel, and lead to the closure of some of the biggest airports in the world.

Scientists reported today that a second Icelandic volcano may erupt soon. Fortunately, bettors can cash in if they get their timing right! Over at Paddy Power Sportsbook, they are offering odds on what dates London’s Heathrow airport will be shut down due to ash clouds. Since experts are saying that another eruption could cause more closures, punters would do well to put some money down.

Visits Volcano Betting at Paddy Power

1. Brazil has appeared in more World Cups (18), won the more matches (64), and won more Cups (5) than any other country.

2. Since the first World Cup in 1930, a total of 31,051,828 fans have attended the Finals.

3. July 31 was declared a national holiday in Uruguay after they won the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

4. Shirt swapping was officially prohibited in 1986 because FIFA did not want players to bare their chests on the soccer field.

5. Europe and South America are the only contents to produce World Cup winners.

6. The youngest World Cup player was 17 year old Norman Whiteside (Ireland) and the oldest was 42 year old Roger Milla (Cameroon).

7. Mexico has lost the most matches in World Cups Finals history (22).

8. During WWII, to prevent the Nazis from stealing the Jules Rimet Trophy, Dr. Ottorino Barassi, an Italian sports official, smuggled the trophy from the bank in Rome and hid it under his bed.

9. The winners of the 2010 World Cup will receive $30,000,000 prize money

10. The official 2010 World Cup Mascot is a green and gold leopard man named Zakumi.

FIFA World Cup Betting Odds

1. Brazil has appeared in more World Cups (18), won the more matches (64), and won more Cups (5) than any other country.

2. Since the first World Cup in 1930, a total of 31,051,828 fans have attended the Finals.

3. July 31 was declared a national holiday in Uruguay after they won the inaugural World Cup in 1930.

4. Shirt swapping was officially prohibited in 1986 because FIFA did not want players to bare their chests on the soccer field.

5. Europe and South America are the only contents to produce World Cup winners.

6. The youngest World Cup player was 17 year old Norman Whiteside (Ireland) and the oldest was 42 year old Roger Milla (Cameroon).

7. Mexico has lost the most matches in World Cups Finals history (22).

8. During WWII, to prevent the Nazis from stealing the Jules Rimet Trophy, Dr. Ottorino Barassi, an Italian sports official, smuggled the trophy from the bank in Rome and hid it under his bed.

9. The winners of the 2010 World Cup will receive $30,000,000 prize money

10. The official 2010 World Cup Mascot is a green and gold leopard man named Zakumi.

FIFA World Cup Betting Odds

This Saturday, May 22, the Irish Pole Dancing championships will see the most flexible women from the north and south of the Emerald Isle battle for supremacy in a very unique (and very artistic) national competition. The event is heralded as a “celebration of fitness,” bringing together professional dancers from Ireland’s best pole schools to compete against one another and to show the world what they’ve got.

The dancers in this event are athletes. According to the event’s Facebook page, these ladies are working to get rid of the “sleazy stripper stigma” that is often attached to pole dancing, instead emphasizing the fitness side of things. This year’s Championships even offer a charitable twist: all money raised from during the competition will go to Crumlin Children Hospital in Dublin.

Paddy Power, Ireland’s top online sportsbook, is offering wagers on all three levels of competition: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. All wagers are outright win only, and odds are offered on all the dancers competing in each league. Only singles are offered outright, but according to the sportsbook’s website, other bets are available on request.

Paddy Power Sports is professional-quality internet betting that has been around for almost 20 years. Their event coverage is outstanding, offering bets on everything from football and cricket to darts and snooker. They are even running a special promotion on Volcano Betting, where players can wager on what dates Heathrow will be closed because of volcanic ash!

Visit Paddy Power today to put money down on your favorite girl for this year’s Irish Pole Dancing Championships. May the best pole dancer win!

This Saturday, May 22, the Irish Pole Dancing championships will see the most flexible women from the north and south of the Emerald Isle battle for supremacy in a very unique (and very artistic) national competition. The event is heralded as a “celebration of fitness,” bringing together professional dancers from Ireland’s best pole schools to compete against one another and to show the world what they’ve got.

The dancers in this event are athletes. According to the event’s Facebook page, these ladies are working to get rid of the “sleazy stripper stigma” that is often attached to pole dancing, instead emphasizing the fitness side of things. This year’s Championships even offer a charitable twist: all money raised from during the competition will go to Crumlin Children Hospital in Dublin.

Paddy Power, Ireland’s top online sportsbook, is offering wagers on all three levels of competition: Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced. All wagers are outright win only, and odds are offered on all the dancers competing in each league. Only singles are offered outright, but according to the sportsbook’s website, other bets are available on request.

Paddy Power Sports is professional-quality internet betting that has been around for almost 20 years. Their event coverage is outstanding, offering bets on everything from football and cricket to darts and snooker. They are even running a special promotion on Volcano Betting, where players can wager on what dates Heathrow will be closed because of volcanic ash!

Visit Paddy Power today to put money down on your favorite girl for this year’s Irish Pole Dancing Championships. May the best pole dancer win!

Read more about FIFA World Cup Odds and Betting on FIFA World Cup