Eurovision 2008 - Portugal

Senhora do mar
Vânia Fernandes


History (1956 to 2007):

Portugal's previous appearances: 41 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 1964-1969; 1971-1999; 2001; 2003-
Best result: 6th (1996)

Prior to 2006, Portugal's record at Eurovision was spookily similar to that of Finland, with the same number of entries (39) and the same of lack of success (never finishing higher than 6th place). However, Finland's storming victory in Athens - following first-time wins in previous years for oldtimers Turkey and Greece - has left Portugal as the most prominent country never to have won the Contest.

Indeed, Portugal has rarely even come close to winning, its high point being a strong 6th place in 1996 thanks to Lucia Moniz - better known today as Colin Firth's Portuguese maid in the film 'Love Actually'. Portugal had a flurry of good results in the early 1990s (8th in 1991 and 1994, 10th in 1993), brought only to a grinding halt by scoring nothing at all in 1997. After unremarkable results in 1998 and 1999, Portugal missed 2000's contest through relegation, and - after another poor result in 2001 (17th) - declined to take part in 2002. Interestingly, Portugal's absence gave a reprieve to the Latvians, who had finished one place below the Portuguese in 2001 and would otherwise have missed the 2002 contest. Marie N went on to represent Latvia that year, winning the contest for her country in the process.

Since coming back in 2003, Portugal's fortunes have been little better. Rita Guerra's beautiful ballad, 'Deixa-me sonhar' scraped an undeservedly low 22nd place, meaning that Portugal had to compete in the Semi Final in 2004. There, many online polls had tipped Sofia and her song 'Foi Magia' to come last, so in the circumstances, 15th place with 38 points - including 12 from all the ex-pats in Andorra - was quite impressive. In 2005, the Andorran votes were nowhere to be seen, but that was not enough to prevent 2B securing a decent 51 points for 'Amar', even if its 17th place was slightly down on the year before. However, it was downhill in terms of both points and placing in 2006, with 'Coisas de nada' mustering just 26 points (with 12 from Andorra again this time) and 19th place. This all means that Portugal is one of only six countries - the others being Andorra, Belarus, Estonia, Monaco and Slovenia - to have failed to qualify from any of the three Semi Finals held so far. Will 2007 finally bring Portugal success?

No. Sabrina got the 1st under the qualifing countries line.


This year's entry:





My opinion & prediction:

This year Portugal is sending a nice ballad, but I don’t think it would do much.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 12th to 14th
My prediction for the Final: Unlikely to qualify; 18th to 20th, if it does