Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Russia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia. The Russian entry was selected through a national final, Evrovidenie 2008 (Евровидение 2008) organised by the Russian broadcaster Rossiya Channel (RTR). Dima Bilan represented Russia with the song "Believe", which qualified from the first semi-final of the competition and won the contest, placing 1st in the final with 272 points. For the 2008 Contest, Rossiya Channel (RTR) was responsible for the selection of the Russian entry, opting to organize a national final. On 8 December 2007, RTR announced a submission period for
Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Contest was the first to implement two semi-finals, with all countries, apart from the "Big Four" countries – Germany, Spain, France and the United Kingdom – and the host country Serbia, taking part in the semi-finals. Croatia took part in the second semi-final on 22 May 2008, qualifying for the final. In the final they performed 9th following Poland and preceding Finland. They gained 44 points and were ranked 21st. Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 Croatia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 and placed twenty-first in the final. Having missed their first Eurovision final, Croatia hoped for