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Eurovision hopefuls put on the style in Malmo

Ali Abbas Ahmadi
BBC News
EPA Megara representing San Marino poses on the turquoise carpet for the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song ContestEPA
Flamboyant? Me? Meet San Marino's Megara at the Eurovision official opening ceremony

The final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest may not be until next weekend but contestants have already been putting on the style for the event's official opening in Malmo.

Representatives of the 37 participating countries will be hoping to emulate Sweden's Loreen, last year's winner with her song Tattoo.

As many as 100,000 visitors are set to descend on the city in Sweden's south-west for the world's largest live music contest.

Here are a selection of photographs from some of the Eurovision hopefuls who posed on the turquoise carpet at the Malmo Arena.

EPA Olly Alexander representing Great BritainEPA
Olly Alexander is the UK's great hope at this year's final with his song Dizzy

UK hopeful Olly Alexander arrived at the venue wearing a loose-fitting, multi-coloured robe.

The singer, actor and fashion icon is hoping for success with an upbeat dance number called Dizzy.

EPA Windows95man representing FinlandEPA
Finland's Windows95man in full flow at the opening ceremony

Finland's entry - Windows95man - made a dramatic entrance ahead of the finals.

A Finnish visual artist and DJ - real name Teemu Keisteri - Windows95man's signature entry is to emerge from a giant egg before the dancing begins.

EPA Marcus and MartinusEPA
Denim was the order of the day for Marcus and Martinus, who represent host country Sweden
Reuters Ukraine is represented by Alyona Alyona and Jerry HeilReuters
The key to success? Ukraine is represented this year by Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil
EPA Nebulossa representing Spain pose pose on the Turquoise CarpetEPA
A variety of fashion statements here as Spain's Nebulossa posed for the cameras
Reuters Joost Klein representing the NetherlandsReuters
Working the power suit look big time was Joost Klein - the Netherland's representative
Reuters The Czech Republic's Aiko (centre) on the Turquoise CarpetReuters
Colour co-ordination for the Czech Republic's Aiko (centre) on the turquoise carpet
Reuters Lithuania's Silvester BeltReuters
Not to be outdone in the fashion stakes was Lithuania's Silvester Belt
EPA Bambie Thug representing Ireland poses on the Turquoise CarpetEPA
Ireland's hopes rest on Bambie Thug, seen here striking this dramatic pose
EPA Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov will represent AzerbaijanEPA
Flying the flag for Azerbaijan, that's Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov