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Betting odds say Loreen will walk away with Eurovision 2012, but a week is a long time in Azerbaijan.

With Rick stuck in Sweden at home on the couch while his colleagues are having a ball at the hall, here's his analysis of how the first rehearsals went.

Eurovision specialists from all over Europe have gathered in Baku. Most of the big media is coming next week, but fan press and fans are here already.

And what do these fans talk about during these days? Well, being the reunion party it is, Eurovision is of course the natural subject to talk about as well. Discussions about songs, the quality of the performances, the dresses, the chances for songs to qualify for the final, and inevitably, who is going to win.  

++ Humperdinck was among us  ++ All about a very well organised concert that was fun for artists, fans and press ++ Fluffy reporters ++..

The fourth edition of Eurovision in Concert was definitely the best one so far. This weekend Amsterdam surely was the Eurovision Capital of Europe. With 23 of this year's acts on stage this is the preview event to beat. Read here what our special fan reporter, Martin, has to say about the event.

++ Charlotte Nilsson again? ++ No donkey on stage for Montenegro  ++ Learn the Maltese and Romanian dances ++ ESC in the charts ++ ..

In 2003 Charlotte Nilsson (Sweden 1999, 2008) got married with Nicola Perrelli, and then adapted her new husband's family name too. Since then we know her as Charlotte Perrelli. The love birds have longe ago got divorced, and now it's about time for Charlotte to give back his last name, Nicola thinks, especially since there is another man in Charlotte's life right now. Charlotte insists it's her artist name however and doesn't seem to be willing to give in. Now that Carola (Sweden 1983, 1991, 2006) has been in the news quite a lot recently with the story about her wish to adopt a baby, this might just be Charlotte's answer to get back in the news too... who knows?

Now that all the songs are announced, it's time for the 12points staff to discuss their best and worst entries for ESC 2012.

Here at 12points.tv headquarters, we spend most of our spare hours this time of year thinking and dissecting all things Eurovision. Now that all the songs have been announced for Baku, each of our founders has written a little something about their favorites (and least favourites) for this year. We know you won't agree with some of our choices but that's OK, the joy of Eurovision should allow for some lively debate about the merits or each entry.

++ Going up, up, up ++  Eleftheria and Mandinga to Amsterdam!  ++ More Eurovision activities in the Netherlands ++ ..

This week Loreen's winning song for Sweden, Euphoria, entered the Norwegian charts at a 12th place, in Finland even at #1. In Sweden it also still tops the charts. Mandinga's Romanian Eurovision song has started its carreer in the charts in their home country as is the case with Eleftheria Eleftheriou's track in Greece. You'll find all Eurovision related tracks in the charts around Europe here. 

++ Two more 2012 songs added today! ++  Got some 200 euros to spare? ++ Lena Ph's pride ++ Dima Bilan back? ++ ..

The ticket sales for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest is kicking off tomorrow. On the first of May the tickets for the first semi final will be sold. On 5 March this will be the case for the tickets for the second semi final, a week later the judge rehearsal tickets will be sold and finally on 15 March you can get your hands on tickets for the final of the contest. Finla tickets will be available between 160 and 240 AZN (1 AZN = 0,95 Euro). More details can be found here.

++ Armenis still in ++  Iris is trying to get her album funded ++ Utopia is Tom Dice new single ++ ..

The Greeks have released the four songs that will be taking part in their national final on 12 March. The composers and artists have not yet been published, to get all the attention to the soings themselves. Listen to the songs here.

Greek broadcaster ERT already announced earlier that the winning song will be 'delivered' by record company Universal Music. In return for that Universal will pay the bill. Something that comes in handy in a country that is struck hard by the economical crisis.

++ Lise Karlsnes gets Norwegian wildcard ++ Thorsten Flinck's hand still hot news in Sweden ++ Soluna #1 in Denmark ++ ..

Lise Karlsnes will complete the line-up for the Norwegian final, she received the wildcard that is given to one of the 15 that didn't make it among the top 3 in the three semi finals. Next Saturday the Norwegian final will take place in Oslo's Spektrum. The Schlagerboys join us in feeling sorry for Rikke Norrman, Minnie Oh and Sylvia Nymoen, who according to us, really would have deserved a placing in the final this weekend.