Chiara perfects her performance

Chiara, Malta's Eurovision contestant, perfected her performance of Angel during her second rehearsal yesterday, oozing confidence and emotion on stage that was transmitted to the appreciative audience.

"While I was singing, I was overcome by the same feeling I got when I won the Song for Europe Festival earlier in the year. It was a very happy moment and I hope to retain it until the final night on Saturday," she said, her eyes welling with tears as she battled her emotions during the press conference.

"If I can recreate the performance I have just had, I will be the happiest singer in Kiev," she enthused, as she got on the podium to address the media, while photographers jostled to take a picture of her.

Paul Zammit Cutajar of Bridge Productions, Chiara's management company, was also happy with the way the rehearsal went.

"It's an improvement over her first rehearsal. She's in good spirits and very confident, which reflects in her performance. I am also happy with the technical side of things: the stage is stunning and the light is excellent," he said.

However, Mr Zammit Cutajar was careful about raising expectations and insisted it was all about enjoying the moment and relishing the good feedback.

"Chiara is well prepared. The rest is out of our hands," he said.

There is stiff competition at this year's 50th Eurovision Song Contest. But if the international voting public happens to like ballads then Chiara stands a good chance.

At the moment British bookmakers, William Hill, are predicting Malta will place seventh, offering punters odds of 12/1, while Bet365 is placing Malta sixth also with odds of 12/1. Both bookmakers are predicting Greece will walk off with the coveted award.

At the press conference Chiara impressed those present with a flawless rendition of her favourite song Reflections, from Disney's animated film Mulan.

There was also a touching moment when she sang Ismaghni Ftit Habib (Listen friend), a song she penned for a dear friend of hers who died of an overdose.

One journalist was so impressed by her voice he asked whether she was a natural singer, or if she had ever got any training.

"I have to admit I never trained my voice and I only discovered it when I was singing along with my friends at school. I am very grateful for what God has blessed me with," she said.

Chiara had the rest of the day to relax, before getting ready to attend a party hosted by Spain, the UK and France in the evening, where she was invited to sing Angel to the crowd.

On Monday night, Chiara had to skip the welcome party, held on the grounds of the Mariinsky Palace, after she was invited to a television interview as the special guest of Cyprus' contestant Constantinos Christoforou.

Mr Constantinos said he was willing to settle for second best, only if Chiara placed first and won the Eurovision.

Today Chiara has the day off to do whatever her heart desires, since her next rehearsal is on Friday at 3 p.m.

For those who wish to keep up with what's going on in Kiev, daily live links are also being provided by Eileen Montesin on TVM at 8.30 p.m. and by Pablo Micallef and Mark Micallef of Popcorn Media on Super One TV at 8.30 p.m.

Hamilton Travel made this coverage possible.