Ell/Nikki from Azerbaijan - Eurovision 2011 winners!

Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal, known as Ell/Nikki, won the Eurovision Song Contest with their duet 'Running Scared'. Raphael Gualazzi placed second with 'Madness of Love',  the first appearance for Italy since 1997.  Eric Saade was third with "Popular", Sweden's best result in the contest since 1999.

There is a strong Swedish presence surrounding Eldar and Nigar. "Running Scared" was written by Stefan Örn, Sandra Bjurman and Iain Farguhanson, who also authored the Azerbaijan entry "Drip Drop" (performed by Safura in Eurovision 2010). Safura eventually placed fifth.  Shirley's Angels, their backup singers, competed in the Swedish Song Contest Melodifestivalen, which was won by Eric Saade.

In the traditional winner's press conference after the competition, they were asked about how their song could help solve problems in Europe: "We want to bring Europe together with our song", said Eldar. Nigar said, "A few months ago I was a housewife but now I am the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. It is my biggest dream". Nigar Camal (30), lives in North London with her husand and two children while Eldar Gasımov (21) lives in Azerbaijan.

Ell/Nikki arrived in Tallinn in early May as part of their promo tour, which also included stops in St. Petersburg and San Marino. They met with Kroonika correspondent Meelis Kapstas; here is the interview, in which Nigar commented that she didn't see any Estonians in London. The explanation provided by the Latvians and Lithuanians: they must be doing very well in their homeland!

The visit in Estonia was brief but they did have time to appear on Estonian Television's morning show, Terevisioon: