The status of Big4, or Big5 as it is now when Italy returned has divided the fans and public alike ever since its introduction in 1998. It all started when in 1996 there were suddenly 30 countries wanting to take part in Eurovision but the show could handle only 23. So, an audio semifinal was held and all of sudden Germany's entry was left out. Germans were outraged as the song was seen as a favourite - and indeed it might have done well if it made it to Oslo 1996. EBU was troubled as it's biggest economical contributor at the time was out. Finns on the other hand were very surprised we made it through the semi (and eventually came last in oslo but that's another story). Anyways, it was Leon's technopop Blauer Planet - the only German entry that has been left home in the history, making 1996 the only year when Germany haven't been present. That's a record.I think he would have done well in Oslo.... if he ever got that far. And Leon? He tried again in the Germa...