Finnish monsters win Eurovision song contest

ATHENS - Finland was the surprise winner of the 51st Eurovision song contest today with the monster-themed hard rock band Lordi beating 23 other competitors.

Lordi scored 292 points from telephone voters in 38 countries with its song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" in a performance in Greece that both shocked and amused viewers.

Finishing in second place was Russia with 248 points going to Dima Bilan's "Never let you go."

Bosnia-Herzegovina was in third place with 229 points going to the group Hari Mata Hari singing the melodic "Layla."

The Eurovision contest was broadcast live across Europe to an estimated audience of more than 100 million viewers.

- REUTERS