Eurovision 2014: Russia act, the identical Tolmachevy twins, jeered by crowd during final

Russian twin act Tolmachevy sisters were booed throughout the contest

Daisy Wyatt

May 11 2014 09:19 AM

As the rest of Europe watched on, Russia was booed a number of times during the Eurovision Song Contest tonight.

When the country “phoned in” to deliver its top three votes, the crowd could be heard booing the Russian spokesman as she attempted to read out the country’s results from Moscow.

After Russia delivered its vote – giving a full 12 points to neighbouring Belarus, 10 to Azerbaijan and eight to Armenia – the crowd could still be heard booing.

Countries who voted for Russia, including Armenia and Belarus, were also booed when delivering points to the country, which has been at the centre of criticism over its handling of the crisis in Ukraine and its controversial anti-gay propaganda law.

Russia’s entry, the identical Tolmachevy twins, were also booed during the first Eurovision semi-final on Tuesday.

Britain’s Eurovision commentator Graham Norton said he felt sorry for the twins, adding they were “just 17”.

Singer Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in the B&W Halls in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, May 10, 2014.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Singer Ruth Lorenzo representing Spain performs the song "Dancing in the rain" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Sebalter representing Switzerland performs the song "Hunter of Stars" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Donatan & Cleo representing Poland perform the song "My Slowianie- We Are Slavic" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Paula Seling & OVI representing Romania perform the song "Miracle"during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Singer Mariya Yaremchuk representing Ukraine performs the song "Tick-Tock". Reuters/Tobias Schwarz

Singer Mariya Yaremchuk representing Ukraine performs the song "Tick-Tock" during the grand final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

The band Pollapoenk representing Iceland performs the song "No Prejudice" during the grand final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Singer Aram MP3 representing Armenia performs the song "Not Alone" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Singer Sergej Cetkovic representing Montenegro performs the song "Moj Svijet" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Singer Conchita Wurst representing Austria performs the song 'Rise Like a Phoenix' during the final of the Eurovision Song Contest in the B&W Halls in Copenhagen, Denmark, Saturday, May 10, 2014.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Singer Ruth Lorenzo representing Spain performs the song "Dancing in the rain" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Sebalter representing Switzerland performs the song "Hunter of Stars" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Donatan & Cleo representing Poland perform the song "My Slowianie- We Are Slavic" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Paula Seling & OVI representing Romania perform the song "Miracle"during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Singer Mariya Yaremchuk representing Ukraine performs the song "Tick-Tock". Reuters/Tobias Schwarz

Singer Mariya Yaremchuk representing Ukraine performs the song "Tick-Tock" during the grand final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

The band Pollapoenk representing Iceland performs the song "No Prejudice" during the grand final of the 59th annual Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Singer Aram MP3 representing Armenia performs the song "Not Alone" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Singer Sergej Cetkovic representing Montenegro performs the song "Moj Svijet" during the grand final of the 59th Eurovision Song Contest at the B&W Hallerne in Copenhagen May 10, 2014. REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz (DENMARK - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Meanwhile, Irish commentator Marty Whelan said, "Ah, it's a singing contest, come on."

Austria’s transvestite entry Conchita Wurst has also been at the centre of controversy surrounding the contest, after receiving a number of transphobic comments from some eastern European groups demanding she resign from the competition.

Russian politician Vitaly Milonov, one of the architects of the country’s gay propaganda law, called Wurst a “pervert” and labelled the competition a “hotbed of sodomy”.