All good things have a tendency to come to an end (more's the pity). Eurovision's latest peak of form seems to have been two years ago, and alas it has been an all too sudden drop-off. Germany's win last year sees us return to a Big Five nation for the first time since Birmingham '98, and seems to set us back there musically too. Not a lot really stands out as worth of mention.

The night started slowly. Hungary were the first act with a pulse, but for all its beat theirs was a rather weak song, and the performance seemed dated even for Eurovision (not least the retro drag-queen dress). Slovenia welded about three familiar-sounding tunes together (including the obligatory Destiny's Child bit) for their bit of bombast, but again the result was less than the sum of its parts.

Moldova wore some silly hats and brought out a unicycling fairy for some Gong-inflected ska jazz. Theirs was the whacky number of the night (from the "Wear a hat / Shout" school of whackiness). One wonders how it made it through the semis. Later Georgia would dress as cybergoths and try us with some rawk. This too proved underwhelming.

Last year's winner, Lena, represented Germany again this year, only the third act to attempt such a double (Lys Assia and Corry Brokken having defended their victories in the fifties). Hers was a spot of sultry minimalist groove with more than a hint of "Lovecats", albeit very dirty cats who aren't particularly loving. The lycra-clad backing dancers took away much of the stripped-down novelty of last year's simple performance, and the creepiness of "Taken By a Stranger" (the title itself reveals much about the tone) would never secure the same degree of support as the bubbly "Satellite".

Europe chose Azerbaijan as their victors after being treated to a classically competent (though otherwise uninteresting) duet, seemingly between a computer science student and his best friend's mum. A shower of sparks added some much-needed drama.

And so it is that the one saving grace of the night came from Ireland. IRELAND! Of all the places. Identical twins John and Edward Grimes donned the sort of shoulder protection normally reserved for Brian Blessed, and bounced about the stage to a Rachel Stevens number in a manner that suggested Vic and Bob at a Laibach gig. You wouldn't want to be their teacher. Their effort saved an otherwise somewhat disappointing night.