Results of Eurovision for Ukraine - Ukrainian singer presenting Ukraine Ani Lorak took the second place with 230 points, followed by Greece's Kalomira with 218.

Dima Bilan has given Russia its first Eurovision song title with a glitzy play at the Eurovision contest 2008 that included a famous ice skater. Bilan got round Ukraine's Ani Lorak and Greece's Kalomira with an R & B ballad "Believe" before thousands of flag-waving fans of Europe's most glamorous pop song festival.

The Russian famous pop-singer was joined on the stage by Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton and famous Russian Olympic skater Yevgeny Plyushchenko, who pirouetted on artificial ice to the tune.

Dima Bilan has won the first-ever rank for Russia in the difficult contest, which has recently been dominated by Eastern European countries because of so-called bloc-voting among ex-Soviet republics and former Yugoslav states.

This year's contest was held in Belgrade, in the capital of Serbia. Serbian songstress Marija Serifovic won last year's title with her ballad "Molitva" or "Prayer".

Bilan's appearance at the finals, which started late Saturday at the Belgrade Arena hall, was his second in just two years. In 2006, he won second place.
Bilan had been tipped as the favorite going in, along with Ukraine and Sweden.

Ukraine's Lorak took the second place with 230 points, followed by Greece's Kalomira with 218.

Though criticized by many as a show of kitsch and an extravaganza, the Eurovision Song Contest, is revered by its many fans. They often travel across the continent to support their favourite singers.

About 15,000 guests are considered to have arrived in Belgrade for the event, crowding the Serbian capital for the first time in many years.

Serbia definitely has the advantage of the opportunity to present itself as part of Europe after years of pariah status in the 1990s under the late strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

Authorities have gone out of their way to throw a greatly organized party. During the finals, a tremendous screen was put up in front of the Belgrade City Hall as thousands flocked to watch the show.

After the winner was pronounced, fireworks lit the Belgrade skies.

The finale included 20 participants who made it through the two semifinals earlier this week.