Russia wins the Eurovision Song Contest (+PHOTOS)

Russia have won the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Believe, performed by Dima Bilan.

The song, produced by Timbaland, picked up 272 points from the 43 countries taking part in this year's contest in Belgrade.

They included the 25 countries in the final as well as 18 others who were knocked out at semi-final stage.

Russia had been the pre-contest favourites, and were joined on stage by gold medal winning figure skater Evgeni Plushenko.

Ukraine finished second with the song Shady Lady, while Greece were third and Armenia fourth. Norway - the highest placed country in Western Europe - came fifth, followed by host nation Serbia.

Turkey, Azerbaijan, Israel and Bosnia and Herzegovina completed the top ten.

However, the UK failed to make much of an impact on the scoreboard.

Andy Abraham finished last with just 14 points, and received marks from only two countries - eight points from Ireland and six points from newcomers San Marino.

Both Germany and Poland also scored 14 points, however Andy was deemed to have come last as they received higher marks from the countries who voted for them.

Germany were awarded 12 points from Bulgaria while Ireland gave their 10 points to Poland.

There was also disappointment for Portugal, who were in their first Eurovision final since 2003, and who finished 13th, despite being heavily tipped for their first ever victory with the ballad Senhora Del Mar.

And Sweden - who fielded 1999 contest winner Charlotte Perrelli, and who were one of the pre-contest favourites - scored just 47 points and finished in 18th place.

Meanwhile, the results of the two semi-finals held earlier this week, to determine the qualifiers for the final, have been revealed - and it seems that Ireland's turkey was not popular among European voters.

Dustin, who crashed out of the contest after his performance in the first semi-final, scored just 22 points.

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