Eurovision 2008 - Estonia

Leto svet
Kreisiraadio


History (1956 to 2007):

Estonia's previous appearances: 13 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 1994; 1996-
Best result: 1st (2001)

Estonia has one of the best records of any of the east European newcomers that have appeared at Eurovision since 1993 - indeed, only Estonia (in 2001), Latvia (in 2002) and Ukraine (in 2004) have so far managed to win. Estonia got off to a terrible start when it scored just 2 points in 1994, spared last place only because Lithuania's début scored nothing at all. After missing the following year's contest due to relegation, Estonia bounced back in 1996 with a much improved 5th place, the start of a rather impressive run of results. With an 8th place in 1997, 12th in 1998 and 6th in 1999, it was surely only a matter of time before Estonia won the contest. Ines, with 'Once in a lifetime', was tipped for success in 2000, but had to be content with 4th.

When Estonia did win it caught everyone by surprise, the energetic 'Everybody', by Tanel Padar and Dave Benton, storming to a shock victory in 2001. Estonia came close to winning again the following year, but had to settle for 3rd with Sahlene's 'Runaway'.

Since 2003, however, Estonia has had a terrible run of form. A disappointing 21st place for Ruffus and 'Eighties coming back' in 2003 provoked much consternation and gnashing of teeth. In truth, it was a fantastic song, and while Estonia's Baltic neighbours gave it short shrift, the UK (3 points) and Ireland (8 points) gave it the appreciation it deserved. Perhaps Ruffus, with their retro outfits and sharp lyrics, were just too ironic for most Eurovision televoters. Whatever the reason, Estonia found itself in the Semi Final in 2004, where the unusual 'Tii' - performed in an obscure Estonian dialect by a sackcloth-clad, Baltic version of Girls Aloud - finished a tantalising 12th. Subsequent efforts - Suntribe's 'Let's get loud' in 2005 and Sandra Oxenryd's 'Through my window' in 2006 - both failed to appeal to the televoters, ensuring that Estonia must once again participate in the Semi Final in 2007. The fact that Estonia is one of only six countries - the others being perennial under-achievers Andorra, Belarus, Monaco, Portugal and Slovenia - to have failed to qualify from any of the three Semi Finals held so far, is a sad reflection of how much the country's Eurovision star has waned.

In 2007 Estonia was represented by Gerli Padar, the sister of the 2001 winner Tanel.



This year's entry:




My opinion & prediction:

Another comedy act, how many of this can Europe support in one night?; and all this is happening because of those stupid Lithuanians (Lithuania – 2006). This song has the bad luck of entering in the same Semi Final with Dustin the Turkey, so it won’t do much. The lyrics in Serbian (that mean nothing) where seen as a sign of goodwill towards the host country, whereas others have seen it as disrespectful.

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