Kulttuuritalo in Helsinki hosted the 1989 Euroviisut final on February 4. Sabrina Salerno was the guest act and most of the advertising for the show ws based on Sabrinas boobs that understandably caused some critic by the artists. There was an open call for the songs and a jury chose the final ten out of 217 songs. Another jury chose the winner and Anneli Saaristo's La dolce vita convinced half the jurors to give it full marks. Finns in general worried what Europe would think of a flamenco song from Finland? Even the fans critized Anneli and her guitarists - Anneli eventually sued some of them - saying we can't send such an ugly fat woman to represant us. She has to remind them publicly it is a musical contest, not a Miss Eurovision. If her win in Finland was surprising even more surprising was her success in Lausanne. Suffering from technical problem throughout the rehearsal week Anneli and her team delivered when it mattered and La dolce vita sounded better than ever. Anneli later told the members of orchestra told her its the best song in the running and they will do all they can to make it sound wonderful. After 5 countries had voted Finland was 2nd, after 10 3rd... What a night it was! In the end 76 points (4 times 10 points included) and 7th place amongst 22 countries so in a way it was better than Marion's 6th place out of 17.
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