Eurovision 2008 - Malta

Vodka
Morena

Music: Philip Vella
Lyrics: Gerard James Borg

History (1956 to 2007):

Malta's previous appearances: 20year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 1971-1972; 1975; 1991-
Best result: 2nd (2002, 2005)

Malta had a brief dalliance with Eurovision in the 1970s, taking part in 1971 (finishing last), 1972 (last again) and 1975 (a slightly better 12th). After that run of 'success', it's hardly surprising that Malta gave up, only returning in 1991. By this time, Malta had realised the advantage of singing in English, rather than the Maltese of its first two entries. Remember, from the late 1970s until 1999 only those countries with English as a native language - the UK, Ireland and Malta - could perform in English at Eurovision. Making its comeback in 1991, Malta used English to good effect, finishing in the top ten every year between until 1998, including two 3rd places (Mary Spiteri's 'Little child' in 1992, and Chiara's 'The one that I love' in 1998).

However, with the free language rule reintroduced in 1999, Malta seemed to suffer, its song 'Believe'n Peace' slumping to 15th. In truth, though, the song was weak, its poor result reflecting crimes against both spelling and singing. Indeed, it was back to normal after that, with an 8th place for Claudette Pace in 2000, 9th for Fabrizio Faniello in 2001, and a tantalising 2nd for Ira Losco's '7th Wonder' in 2002. Then, in 2003, Malta sent chirpy Lynn Chircop to Eurovision... Unfortunately, Lynn finished in 25th place with just 4 points (3 of those from Ireland), spared the indignity of coming last only because the UK's Jemini scored nothing at all. If Malta was hoping to win the contest, it had 'To dream again', as it were.

Since Malta takes Eurovision very seriously, heated debate ensued in the light of this shock result, slightly tempered by the fact that the new Semi Final system gave Malta a chance to participate in 2004 when previously it would have missed that year's contest through relegation. Luckily, Julie & Ludwig's 'On again, off again' restored some Maltese pride, qualifying for the Final with relative ease, and doing enough on the big night to finish 12th and - by the skin of their teeth - secure Malta's direct qualification to the Final in 2005.

2005 represented both the welcome return of an old face and a welcome return to form, with Chiara - seeking to better her 3rd place from 1998 - giving a stunning performance of her self-penned 'Angel'. It was enough to give Malta a well-deserved 192 points (including six 10s but only one 12) and 2nd place in the Final, beaten only by Greece's Helena Paparizou.

With a place in the 2006 Final in the bag, hopes were high that another Eurovision returner - this time Fabrizio Faniello - could deliver another strong result for Malta. Unfortunately, an off key vocal performance left Malta languishing at the bottom of the Eurovision scoreboard for the first time since 1972, a solitary point from Albania averting a 'nul points' disaster by the narrowest of margins. However, notwithstanding this poor result, Malta retains the best record of any country that has yet to actually win the Contest, having finished 2nd and 3rd on two occasions each. The Maltese will certainly be hoping that 2007 can restore the country's Eurovision pride.


I must confess to being rather pleased when I read that Olivia Lewis had won the right - by a landslide - to represent Malta in 2007.

This year's entry:



My opinion & prediction:

After last year’s beautiful entry, Malta decided to send a rhythmic folk song, a bad Ruslana imitation. It was rather odd, because the favorite of the public and the jury was Claudia Faniello (the sister of the 2001 and 2006 representant Fabrizzio), but she decided to send two songs to the Final, so the points where divided. Anyway this entry is weak, definitely not among the favorites.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 18th to 20th
My prediction for the Final: Will not qualify