Maximus Decimus

Yeh, I think most British people take that as a win even if it wasn't technically.

I'm pretty sure there isn't a thread on this anywhere... Recently, I've been thrown into the world of Basketball having known very little about it. Obviously, I played at school, and know Michael Jordan etc but I've only ever seen it in a negative context in relation to say RL and the talk of how we don't want 'Basketball scores' where it is too easy to get points. However, I moved jobs and ended up at a Basketball hub of a town I didn't know existed and completely unrelated my 7 old daughter came home from school desperate to play. She's joined a team and become obsessed with it. As part of this, we went to see the local BBL team Cheshire Phoenix. Somewhat surprisingly, I did enjoy it and didn't find the points-scoring a huge issue. It was helped by the fact that both games were tight with big comebacks. I doubt I'd ever become a diehard but it's certainly worth a watch. The BBL is only small-time and is currently in the playoffs (8 out of 10 teams make it). I was at the Phoenix semi-final on Friday and they didn’t nearly fill a leisure centre hall. They've basically sacrificed domestic competitiveness to allow the London team to compete in mid-tier Europe. Time will tell how good a strategy this proves to be. I'm liking the kids Basketball, it helps that it's not outside and never called off! It is a bit like junior rugby though where one much better player can lead to very skewed scores. I've never seen the NBA and as it's on TNT I won't get to, although it is currently in the later stages of the playoffs.

There's an interesting article about what the UK needs to do to win Eurovision. It goes through this year's entry and analyses where it fell short. It hits the nail on the head with the last point - maybe it's just luck. Whilst some countries consistently do well, I think it's nearly impossible to predict what will win. It mentions for instance whether we played it too safe and uses Ireland this year, and Finland last year as examples. However, we've tried the whole out-there thing and failed miserably too, as did a couple of countries last night - Estonia and Finland come to mind. I just think it's right place at the right time.

Prior to the semi, I'd heard it was one to watch but was a little disappointed by it. That said, I think it would have been a very popular song. I'm sure the full details will emerge, and know for sure whether it was an overreaction or not.

We liked this in my house, but sadly it was just too old-fashioned for Eurovision I think.

Lomachenko back to his best again last night, stopping Kambosos in the 11th. Things started quite well for the Aussie with him going to the body, but Loma soon figured him out. Superb interview by Kambosos afterwards, no excuses and very complimentary about his opponent. I do think boxing needs to get away from losses being the be all and end all.

Of course Israel's public vote was affected by political events. I suspect there was a mixture of pro-Israeli support but also people who didn't like how she'd been treated. My wife is pretty apolitical and hasn't a clue about Gaza, and she certainly felt sorry for her. IMO it's very likely the juries were affected in the opposite way. There was a great deal of hostility towards Israel's entry. There was a woman in the rehearsal who refused to read out Israel 12 points, Loreen said she wouldn't hand the trophy to Israel and numerous acts (Greece, Ireland, Netherlands) had been openly hostile. I can't remember a time when the 2nd favourite got so few of the juries votes. It was honestly my favourite, but that doesn't mean much when it comes to Eurovision and I don't think it would ever have won. Switzerland was a very popular winner in my house, my 7 year old daughter was absolutely made up.

Maybe it was just the best song? Personally, I think it demonstrated how the juries were very reluctant to give Israel any points for political reasons. Very pleased with the song that won though. Thought Croatia's was a bit too obvious and very pleased Ireland's didn't really challenge. As I said earlier, the UK's chance of winning bombed after the first showing on the semi-final. For all the talk of an amazing set-up by the commentators, it really turned people off. And when Israel got over 300 votes in the public jury, we can hardly use the 'Europe hates us' line as an excuse.

The staging is amazing nowadays. I'd recommend watching the semis, makes it more enjoyable IMO being familiar with the songs.

I'm an old fuddy but it was too much IMO. And I'd say the same if it was heterosexual people simulating it.

I wouldn't trust a word they say. If you've real what the Israeli media actually said, it was barely anything.

Yes 'allegation of intimidation' is what is being used. However, if police are investigating it then you'd have to think it is more than shouting. After all, it's not Scotland...

Apparently, it's related to an assault on a female production crew member after the semi-final. Can't believe owt on social media .

Well my post aged well. Have they given reasons? If it seen as being Israel's fault, there is going to be carnage. The irony is that they probably have the best actual song.

It's a sad situation and I feel for the EBU they are in an almost impossible situation. I wouldn't worry about the robbing of Finland, this year's favourites have basically just copied their formula.