Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Let's continue the series and kill some time having a look at the last decade and see who were the Top-10 best scoring countries in the Eurovision song contest in the past ten years. The ways to calculate are many and here I have used the simple average placement method (and it's not all so serious). Next up is Romania at n.o 6. Romania has had a very steady finish in the contest last decade; only two top-10s but all the rest 12th-17th. Until two close non qualifications to end the decade with. And then there's of course the disqualification in 2016 for TVR for repeated non-payment of debts that made Ovidiu Anton stay home in the last minute with   Moment of silence . Moment of silence indeed that year!  Hotel FM is the one I have completely forgotten over the years.... but Romania has surely provided some unforgettable moments with Cezar, Ilinca and Alex for example 2010 Paula Seling & Ovi - Playing with fire - 3rd *** 2011 Hotel FM - Change - 17th * ...

It may be officially summer season in Finland as of tomorrow but when the termometer shows +8 and it's cloudy and rainy one needs something else to get into the mood. Like Mandinga's (of Zaleilah fame, ESC 2012) Besame , with its tropical sound and laid back atmosphere and most of all sunny video full of tropics! Enjoy!

The next victim to fall on Robert's charm was Finland's very own Pernilla. They chatted about her song and how she got here, family and why the song's in Swedish. Also, try to guess what is her favorite song in ESC 2012? You came out of nowhere and won the Finnish national selection. How was your life before that? I mostly played handball, went to work and such normal things and sung sometimes. I worked in a kindergarten. Music was still very important to me, I was singing everyday to myself. So winning this contest was like a dream come true. When did you discover you had a good voice? Maybe in high school when my music teacher wanted be to sing in the school fest. Before that I never believed I could do it. Your brother is in the music scene. Did he encourage you to step to the spotlight? Yes, because he has this studio in Helsinki and it was so easy to just go there and sing. He made me to take part in UMK. We did this song last summer and decided to se...

Errr... click "Like"! Call me later, ok? I'm kinda busy now.... NOOOOO! Don't touch my hair!!! CUCCOOO! Damn it, where's my prince?

What to say about Albania and Rona Nishliu? Stunning vocals, simple presentation with just a work with spotlights really and beautiful emotional song. Is this what she's going to wear on the big night? No. And her jewelry is special, too, very 1980's neon acrylic things.... Interesting. And I love her hairdo as well. And one can't be but blown away by her vocal skills time after time.... Will televoters by it is another thing but I hope enough of them will so that with the jury votes she would sail to the final. She deserves it. One of the most original songs in Eurovision ever, and no doubt one of the most skilled vocalists ever to grace an Eurovision stage. Stay tuned for her interview later today! Update: it's here . More here . Romania all of sudden starts to sound and look like a possible winning candidate. The backdrop works, the choreography works, it's happy and catchy and if Elena nails her vocals when it matters... Who knows? All white for the guys...

The lunch break is over and we go on with the first technical rehearsals. Albania proves less is more. If you can only use the word "less" and Rona's voice in a same sentence. Breathtaking performance already in the first rehearsals, tasteful use of lights and that's it. Perfect. Fantastic. Not much else to add.... More here . Romania on stage next and a total change of atmosphere. The stage is filled with drums, bagpipes and people doing a choreography that at least at this points looks not enough learned by heart that it would look natural at all. This kind of song needs room for spontaneity. But then, maybe it will look like that come next Tuesday? Elena sings surprisingly well and the song is catchy and summery. Why am I still lacking something and not quite going crazy for this? More here . Last in this slot before a coffee break is Switzerland . It looks and sounds like expected. The brothers are doing the rock band performance walking a bit here and ...

This Saturday the 4th Eurovision in concert promo happening will take place and this year it's bigger than ever when 24 participating artists will be present to meet and greet the fans the and press, and perform in the concert at Melkweg in Amsterdam. Previous Eurovision entrant Ruth Jacott is hosting the concert with Cornald Maas. Cypriot Ivi Adamou was supposed to be there but had to cancel and we will have Filipa Sousa instead. The other artists are Valentina Monetta from San Marino, Sinplus from Switzerland, Jedeward from Ireland, Sabina from Azerbaijan, Iris from Belgium, Anri Jokhadze from Georgia, Eva Boto from Slovenia, Compact Disco from Hungary, Gaitana from Ukraine, Joan Franka from the Netherlands, Trackshittaz from Austria, Donny Montell from Lithuania, Pastora Soler from Spain, Sofi Marinova from Bulgaria, Pernilla from Finland, Rona Nishliu from Albania, Anmary from Latvia, Kurt Calleja from Malta, Mandinga from Romania and Eleftheria from Greece. For many artists...

Both countries are yet to win Eurovision. Romania has been in top-5 three times and often a favorite making int to the final every time since the semifinals were introduced. while Bulgaria has made it to the final only once - in Helsinki 2007 were they finished 5th. I think they should have made the final several times. This year both send a dance track and a song that wouldn't be out of place in any Eurodisco and beach party come summer 2012. This ends 0-2 for Romania. Bulgaria - Sofi Marinova - Love unlimited  *** Bulgaria's song mixes 11 languages, including host country's language that will be heard on Eurovision stage for the very first time. It's all about love in any language and Sofi tries to keep up with the mix. The song itself isn't anything special but it works. It has the atmosphere of a lazy afternoon/early evening after lunch when one starts to get ready for the evening while holidaying somewhere hot and sunny. A drink in a glass and smell of...

Kurt Calleja from Malta and Mandinga from Romania both have released introduction videos for their choreographies in Eurovision 2012. So, if you wanna dance like they do or just join in the fun check Kurt here and Mandinga here . If nothing else it's a good fun work out while waiting for the main event.....

Romania will select its entry tonight. Fifteen songs in the line up, Jedward as the guest star and live streaming  from backstage at www. tvr.ro should provide entertainment. Mandinga seems to be the favourite and inded the song is full of summer and sun (check out the video below) but is it just strong enough for Eurovision stage? Catalin is a minor disappointment this time around but what about Viky Red? Very good indeed! My money's on him. And then we have also Ovidiu and Tasha... 1. Catalin Josan - Call my name 2. Ana Mardare - If you find simple words to say 3. Viky Red - If you ever feel 4. RPK - Singura care 5. Lucian Oros - The best a man can get 6. Raluca Ocneanu - Time is on my side 7. Electric Fence - Şun-ta 8. Ovidiu Anton - I walk alone 9. Miss Mary - Rollin’ 10. Mandinga - Zaleilah 11. T&L - Twilight 12. Ioana Anuţa - Girls don’t cry 13. Tasha - Say my name 14. Bianca Purcărea - Don’t say sorry 15. Ana Mardare - This must be lov...