Eurovision 2008 - Netherlands

Your heart belongs to me
Hind

Music: Hind, Tjeerd van Zanen, Bas van den Heuvel
Lyrics: Hind, Tjeerd van Zanen, Bas van den Heuvel


History (1956 to 2007):

Netherlands's previous appearances: 48 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 1956-1984; 1986-1990; 1992-1994; 1996-2001; 2003-
Best result: 1st (1957, 1959, 1969, 1975)

One of the original Eurovision countries, the Netherlands managed four victories in the first twenty years (such as Lenny Kuhr's forgettable 'De Troubadour' in 1969), but have had nothing since their last victory in 1975. Perhaps the country is being punished for inflicting Teach-In's 'Ding Dinge Dong' upon the rest of Europe?

The country's record since televoting has not given much hope of a fifth victory - the wonderful Edsilia Rombley came a creditable 4th in 1998, but since then it's been downhill all the way with 8th place in 1999, 13th in 2000 (despite being a favourite prior to the contest), and a dismal 18th in 2001.

Having to miss 2002 through relegation, the Netherlands returned in 2003. There were great hopes for the Dutch entry, Esther Hart's 'One more night', with many predicting its victory. In truth, it was a rather ordinary song that sounded very similar to 1999's 'One good reason'; being the first song after the advert break (when many televoters are still in the kitchen or bathroom) probably didn't help. Ending up a disappointing 13th, the Netherlands just missed out on an automatic Final place, and had to compete in the 2004 Semi Final. The country's song that year - 'Without you', performed by Re-union - did surprisingly well in the Semi Final by finishing 6th with 146 points, before slumping dramatically to 20th with 11 points in the Final - a most bizarre result, given that the order of the top ten songs in the Semi Final (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10, obviously) was generally echoed in their Final placings (2-1-3-7-5-20-9-12-13-14). One can only assume that the Netherlands benefitted from performing last in the Semi Final, though this doesn't really account for - to give an example - Ireland awarding the Netherlands its 12 points in the Semi Final, but nothing at all three days later! Whatever the explanation, the Netherlands found itself in the Semi Final for the second successive year.

In 2005, hopes were high for Glennis Grace and ''My impossible dream', a stunning ballad recalling Whitney Houston circa 1992. Most people had assumed that Glennis would qualify for the Final failrly easily, and these expectations were reinforced by a great performance - Glennis looked stunning in a white dress, was strong vocally, and the whole act benefited from a simple presentation with just Glennis on the stage, and no unnecessary distractions in the form of dancers or backing singers. Sadly, it was not enough, 53 points securing a disappointing 15th place. Stuck in the Semi Final again in 2006, Treble's song 'Amanbanda' could hardly have been more different from Glennis', but despite a strong performance it could only manage 22 points and 20th place. The Dutch will therefore be hoping it's third time lucky in trying to clamber out of that Semi...

In 2007 Netherlands was represented by Edsilia Rombley.


This year's entry:





My prediction & opinion:

This year Netherlands will be represented by Hind singing a beautiful pop song.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 9th to 11th
My prediction for the Final: Likely qualifier; 10th to 12th