Eurovision 2006

It looks to be absolutely super. Everyone has already talked up Lordi, the Finnish death metal band in Halloween garb, who has inspired much debate about Finnish identity and Eurovision victory strategy. But has anyone really paid attention to the fabulous darkhorse German band, Texas Lightning?

Texas Lightning (Germany) 'No, no never' 14-1

Germanic country music - what took them so long? While some might carp that this is an unfeasible concept (Spanish skiffle, anybody?), the quintet, Texas Lightning, prove their worth by teaming an Australian glamourpuss with permasmiling men in 10-gallon hats, wielding diddly guitars, double basses and ukuleles. There are times when you suspect that this is just one big postmodern joke and that Texas Lightning might suddenly peel off masks to reveal mischievously grinning Scissor Sisters, but the song is a little cracker (Patsy Cline is alive and well and whooping it up in on the Autobahn). Would it be appallingly xenophobic to suggest that if they get up early enough on the day, Texas Lightning might be able to leave their towels on the coveted top spot? Of course it would.