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Eurovision 2008 - Albania

Zemrën lamë peng
Olta Boka

Music: Adrian Hila
Lyrics: Pandi Laco


History (1956 to 2007):

Albania's previous appearances: 4 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 2004-
Best result: 7th (2004)

Albania entered Eurovision for the first time in 2004, and defied the sceptics by doing much better than many had expected. Anjeza Shahini and her song of 'The image of you' finished an impressive 4th in the Semi Final, easily qualifying for the Final where it finished 7th. As a result, Albania enjoyed the advantage of a guaranteed place in the Final for 2005. Sticking to what seemed like a winning formula, Albania chose another shouty woman (Ledino Celo) singing an energetic song in English ('Tomorrow I go'). The resulting 16th place with 53 points (including what risks becoming a customary exchange of high marks with Greece and Macedonia) was no disgrace, but it lacked the sweet charm of Anjeza's effort the year before. The result saw Albania having to take part in the 2006 Semi Final, where hopes rested on the 20-year-old Luiz Ejlli and the song 'Zjarr e ftohtë'. However, Luiz's decent performance and 14th place was not enough, meaning that Albania must once again take part in the Semi Final in 2007.

In 2007 Albania was represented by Frederik Ndoci and his wife Aida.


This year's entry:




My prediction & opinioin:


This year’s entry from Albania is a beautiful ballad, that reminds of Molitva, and it will remind the Romanians of Shine (2nd place in their NF). The vocal is strong, and with all the comedy in the night it can go all the way.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 1st to 3rd
My prediction for the Final: Definite qualifier; 1st to 4th, possible winner

Eurovision 2008 - Andorra

Casanova
Gisela


History (1956 to 2007):

Andorra's previous appearances: 4 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 2004-
Best result: 12th in Semi (2007)

A tiny principality tucked between France and Spain in the Pyrenees, Andorra made its first ever appearance at Eurovision in 2004. As a new entrant, Andorra had to participate in the Semi Final; unfortunately, Marta Roure feel well short, only mustering 18th place in the Semi Final for her song 'Jugarem a estimar-nos'. Indeed, had it not been for 12 points from Spain, Andorra would have had the ignominy of scoring nothing at all.

Nevertheless, Andorra came back for another go in 2005, this time aiming to secure points from the Netherlands as well by sending the Dutch-born singer, Marian van de Wal. Her song, 'La mirada interieur', was very good, and benefited from a strong performance, but it was still not enough to secure more than 27 points and 23rd place, despite predictable support from the Spanish and Dutch televoters. Normal service resumed in 2006, with Jenny's 'Sense tu' managing to pick up 8 points from Spain but nothing from anybody else. After a dismal record so far, but plenty of plucky enthusiam, Andorra will assume its customary place in the 2007 Semi Final.

In 2007 Andorra was represented by the group Anonymous, finishinging 14th in the Semi Final.


This year's entry:





My opinion & prediction:


This year Andorra will be represented by Gisela who is far the most beautiful girl in the contest. This song is my favorite, I’ll vote for it in the Semi Final, and I hope in the Final as well. Overall, I don’t see it winning.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 8th to 12th
My prediction for the Final: Possible qualifier; 10th to 12th

Eurovision 2008 - Armenia

Qele Qele
Sirusho

Music: Sirusho
Lyrics: Sirusho


History (1956 to 2007):

Armenia's previous appearances: 2 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 2006-
Best result: 8th (2006, 2007)

Armenia made its first appearance at Eurovision in 2006, where Andre's 'Without your love' successfully negotiated the Semi Final before settling in an impressive 8th place in the Final. As a result, Armenia finds itself directly qualified for the Final in 2007.

In 2007 Armenia was represented by Hayko finising 8th again.


This year's entry:




My opinion & prediction:

This year Armenia sends an oriental-folk catchy song. I don’t know what to say about this entry. I like the song and Sirusho is hot.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 8th to 12th
My prediction for the Final: Likely qualifier; 8th to 12th

Eurovision 2008 - Azerbaidjan

Day after day
Elnur Hüseynov & Samir Javadzadeh


History (1956 to 2007):

Azerbaidjan's previous appearances: 0 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: None
Best result: N/A

Following in the footsteps of its Caucasian neighbours Armenia and Georgia, Azerbaidjan makes its first Eurovision appearance in 2008.


This year's entry:





My opinion & prediction:

Azerbaidjan makes its debut in Eurovision, sending a song that looks more like a theatre act than a song. Three angels and three devils will be performing on stage; more talking than singing (I blame it again on those Lithuanians from 2006).

My prediction for the Semi Final: 14th to 18th
My prediction for the Final: Will not qualify

Eurovision 2008 - Belarus

Hasta la vista
Ruslan Alekhno


History (1956 to 2007):

Belarus's previous appearances: 4 year(s) out of 52
Years participated: 2004-
Best result: 6th (2007)

Belarus was one of four countries participating for the first time in 2004, but while some of the newcomers did very well (Serbia & Montenegro in 2nd, Albania in 7th), Belarus unfortunately did very badly, 'My Galileo' finishing 19th in the Semi Final with just 10 points.

Undeterred, the country came back for another go in 2005, its entry one of the big stories of that year's Contest. To start with, the Belarussian broadcaster caused a bit of a stir by ditching the song that televoters had chosen, having been alarmed at the critical reaction to the song - 'Boys and girls', performed by Angelica Agurbash - among fans. It thus went ahead and commisioned a new song for Angelica, 'Love me tonight', from the team responsible for Sakis' 'Shake it' in 2004 - the Greek duo Nikos Terzis and Nektarios Tyrakis. With a promotional budget that allowed Angelica to visit an incredible 16 countries prior to the Contest, the Belarussian's clearly thought that their qualification to the Final was sewn up. Unfortunately, Belarus' 2005 experience proved that vast amounts of promotion and hype are of little value if your chosen performer is unable to carry a tune. Despite one of the campest performances Eurovision had ever seen, the televoters were generally unimpressed, 67 points and 13th place falling some way short of what was required.

Undeterred, the enthusiastic Belarussians came back for another go in 2006, where - unusually - Polina Smolova got to perform the song that she had actually won the national final with, though only after its title had morphed from 'Mama' to 'Ma' and finally to 'Mum'. However, 'Pah!' might have been a more apt ode to European sentiment, with all but Russia, Moldova and Ukraine ignoring the song completely. Marooned in the Semi Final for the fourth successive year in 2007, Belarus will be hoping that some of its success in the Junior Eurovision (Kseniya winning it in 2005 and 2007) can finally rub off on the adults.

Last year Belarus got 4 the 1st time in the final finishing 6th with Koldun.


This year's entry:





My opinion & prediction:

It’s a good entry for Belarus, but comparing to last year I don’t think it would do much.

My prediction for the Semi Final: 8th to 11th
My prediction for the Final: Possible qualifier; 14th to 16th