Eurovision: The first round
The first 10 countries to sail through the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, in the order they were announced, are: Greece, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Finland, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Poland and Norway.
Surprisingly, Ireland, with its parody Irelande Douze Pointe, sung by Dustin the Turkey, failed to make it to Saturday's final in Belgrade.
Meanwhile, Morena will face tough competition in Thursday's second semi-final, and the odds from bookmakers are so far not in her favour. However, Europe's voting public is always full of surprises.
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In Discussion
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32 Comments
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Joe Galea
May 22nd 2008, 16:06
Good Luck Morena!!
However, the Maltese song stands no chance in my opinion. The 2nd semi-final consists of many very good songs and even some potential winners.
However if Morena can impress with her performance we might slip through for the final.
My favourite is that of ICELAND but still won't win. Turkey have a very good rock song.
We should not make an issue out of this contest which is more or less manipulated by a bunch of E bloc countries. Just for the info, Malta won't gain any special benefit if we place well or not from this contest. After Mary, Chiara and Ira our lives didn't go through a sudden positive amelioration from EU. So what he heck. Enjoy the music and the show and a good laugh with friends!!!
James De Giorgio
May 22nd 2008, 15:59
Oh is it Emmy of Alpha Liberal Democratic? Its only member?
CENSINA & JAAP VAN TIEL-ABELA
May 22nd 2008, 10:33
GOOD LUCK MORENA! THE MALTESE IN HOLLAND WILL BE VOTING FOR YOU TOO. . LOVELY SONG "VODKA" ! HOPE YOU DO MAKE IT TO THE FINALS NEXT SATURDAY. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU NO MATTER WHAT! HAVE FUN TONIGHT. GOOD LUCK, GOOD LUCK, GOOD LUCK DEAR MORENA!!!!!!!!!! ALL YOU NICE MALTESE PEOPLE LIVING ABROAD WHO WILL BE WATCHING TONIGHT VOTE FOR MORENA..
Tanja Cilia
May 21st 2008, 18:47
You could never hope to eat Dustin - he is not a turkey, really, just a cross between a turkey and a vulture... his beak gives him away. You cannot make a meal of him, in more ways than one.
Lisa Schembri
May 21st 2008, 18:28
@adrian sammut - I agree...Afterall the only people who became internationally famous and who are now still swimming in money from royalties and copyright are ABBA and Celine Dion.
Richard Hubbard
May 21st 2008, 18:26
Sadly since the USSR broke up the countries that made up that monster have all ganged up on the rest of europe and now decide by block voting who gets in and who wins, the whole thing is now pointless, how can it be that a country such the UK that provides a large proportion of the world's popular music and writers cannot even get any points or very few.
Don't get me wrong I am not saying we should win every time but to not even get any points well??? Malta also often has a good song and then you have to qualify how wrong is that ???
Good luck in the thursday qualifying sing off.
adrian sammut
May 21st 2008, 15:54
First of all I wish Morena luck and especially that she enjoys the whole thing. The idea that the Maltese artists use this platform to show off their talents to prospective record companies is somewhat misleading. Let's face it. Record companies have been probably refusing sexy long haired brunettes with a talent for ages on the continent and worldwide. What they look for is for something fresh and a product with a potential to hit the market like a storm.
gavin attard
May 21st 2008, 13:45
Apologies to Lisa,
lol.. multitasking is not my thing... i mis-read your piece...
Lisa Schembri
May 21st 2008, 13:08
@ Gavin Attard - Umm Effort? interesting choice of words.
Yes music is entertainment but In Malta and (also several other countries i'm sure) we tend to get too over-competitive over such trivial and silly games such as the Eurovision.I think the festival should be taken lightly instead of fussing and making a ''tista tkun int'' style drama over it.
Grace and Jan Remen Cassar
May 21st 2008, 13:02
We would like to wish Morena good luck and tell her that the maltese in Belgium will be thinking of her, we hold yearly a BBQ at our house in Heusden-zolder and the Maltese flag will be flying and we will certainly vote for you with all the mobiles and telephones available on the night. Go Girl GO. We are behind you whatever. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adrian Allain
May 21st 2008, 12:52
The Eurovision Song Contest in its present form should not be taken as seriously as it is by many countries. It is only light hearted entertainment after all.
If it were a true 'song contest', where the music and the lyrics were what really mattered, it should be on national radio stations not on TV. The costumes, the dance routines and the good looks, or otherwise, of the performers would then quite rightly count for nothing.
I hope that Morena does well. I think that she will receive strong support from the UK.
Lisa Schembri
May 21st 2008, 12:52
@ Daniel Scicluna - That would be so hilarious Lol love song duet in italian.....I'd pay to see that. the rest of europe won't understand why it would be so funny though.
Gavin Attard
May 21st 2008, 12:41
IN Response to Lisa Schembri's effort.
Since when is music not entertainment?
With regards to the Divorcde & Abortion thing, Emmy is out of line to pull the comparison. Both are a serious issue, that requires open debate (as opposed to the tactics employed by the pro-life movement) while Eurovision is a bit of fun entertainment. Shame Emmy hasn't learnt when to pull a fight.
Whilst this particualr article is not the place adn the time. He is correct however that we need to openly discuss the the two issues.
Carmel Taliana
May 21st 2008, 12:05
I think the contest should be completely done away with. I have not watched since 1970.
It will be better if the money spent by each organising country and Eurovision Union
be spent on charitable occasions.
Andrew Borg-Cardona
May 21st 2008, 11:59
Eurovision is a bit of fluff, sometimes entertaining, sometimes interesting. I hope Morena enjoys herself and no-one is forcing anyone to watch it. But please, please, please, can we not have interminable debates on why we bombed?
Terence Mirabelli
May 21st 2008, 11:30
Eurovision is so kitch it's fun to watch. And NOTHING beats the BBC's Terry Wogan and his commentary. Wogan makes the whole thing worthwhile
Lisa Schembri
May 21st 2008, 10:58
I don't really agree with Dr.Bezzina's...approach.... for dissing the eurovision but I have to admit that the Eurovision is a steaming pile of garbage in my opinion. and don't answer this with unintelligent replies like ''if you don't like it,don't watch it'' because i'm not going to be impressed by such an overused and childish comeback.
The Eurovision is just entertainment,when Lordi won in 2006 Malta took it to seriously;I found it hilarious that a group of tall finnish folk dressed as goblins won against blonde bimbos in small bikinis.
I would also find it hilarious if Morena fell flat on her face.....and not because I hate her or because of jealousy ..because its funny.
Kenneth Cassar
May 21st 2008, 10:57
The Irish turkey did not win only because he is not human. Speciesist discrimination! ;)
horace portelli
May 21st 2008, 10:46
Eurovision Song Contest is a thing and abortion is another, Dr. Emmy Bezzina LL.D. How can you with all your wisdom include the sensitive subject of abortion with a song contest which its main aim is to promote one's country in a festival which could be seen by a huge mass of people. I followed yesterday's semi final and must admit that few countries were represented withsongs of a decent level but still they participate without making a tragedy out of nothing. I don't know what kind of surprise it is that Dustin the Turkey failed to make it for the finals...it was a song that neither the Zecchino D'Oro would have accept it. I felt sorry for Netherlands not being among the finalists. A now it's our turn...Morena go for it, enjoy every single second of this experience irrespective of the final result. We are so proud as having you representing us and are sure of a fine interpretation on the semi finals night. Good luck Morena and thanks for being such a good ambassador for the Maltese Islands during these days in Belgrade.
F J Brincat
May 21st 2008, 10:24
Why is it surprising that a puppet turkey did not make it through to the final? Irrespective of how good the song is and that Dustin recorded six albums and performed duets with Bob Geldof, I still believe that turkeys are actually at their best when being served roasted with a nice side dish of crunchy roast potatoes.
Mark Galea
May 21st 2008, 10:22
@Emmy of ALPHA Liberal Democratic. What a lot of nonsense you say. I never know which is the most entertaining. The Eurovision or clowns defending abortion on t.v.
Daniel Scicluna
May 21st 2008, 10:01
Dr. Bezzina,
Why don't you surprise us and sing a duet with Norman Lowell for next year Eurovision entry.
Raymond Sammut
May 21st 2008, 10:01
Take it a little easy, Dr Bezzina, please. From memory, this has been your second negative attitude towards Malta taking part. Malta needs to provide opportunities for those who do have talents in the Arts. You chose to study law, and you seem to be doing a bit of boasting about it with those letters behind your name, even just for the purpose of making a simple comment. We owe a great deal to fellow citizens who studied law, but one cannot expect everyone to uphold the same set of interests.
tami mifsud
May 21st 2008, 09:42
and soon we will have to put up with ad nauseam how unfair the voting was and how political bla bla bla, why doesn't this country put so much effort into promoting sport ??????????
Paul Barrett
May 21st 2008, 09:26
It is not about winning it's about taking part.
The "competition" will never seem fair as it is based on personal taste for music and performer (with unfortunately a large percentage of international politics). The important thing is that it is good publicity for Malta - wherever they are placed.
Good Luck
Rita Camilleri
May 21st 2008, 09:20
Grow up, Dr. Bezzina. I dont like the Eurovision, so I dont watch it, but I dont confuse abortion with the Eurovision, and also sorry but abortion is NOT a fundamental family right !!! My family right is my healthy son who I allowed to be born !!! so please stop boring us ...
Adrian Tabone
May 21st 2008, 09:16
This is not about forcing anyone to love the eurovision. I love the eurovision, but as much as I love it I have to agree with Dr.E. Bezzina. Countries like France example don't even make a competition for it, they just choose some one just for the sake of taking part. Whilst here in Malta we make such a hype about it, spend so much money and 90% of the time every Maltese ends up disappointed because of unfair voting. We must see it with the way other Europeans do.
Michael Cilia
May 21st 2008, 08:16
@ Emmy Bezzina
You might find it a surprise but many people love the eurovision, you dont have to watch it if you dont like it, no one is forcing you, Maybe when your party wins the general election you can take malta out of this'stupid contribution to an unworthy cause',
Allen Galea
May 21st 2008, 07:48
Dr. Emmy Bezzina, it's people like you who are taking this too seriously. I personally enjoy watching Eurovision. I like to see what all the countries have to offer plus it gets exciting when the points are read out. Every time Malta got into the top 3, Europe took notice and it did good for Malta and its name. And as for "fundamental family rights" don't forget that if the Maltese people agree with you, they would've voted for you in the election - and it also has nothing to do with this article. OUT OF POINT
Maria Dolores Fenech
May 21st 2008, 07:34
I'd rather support Morena and the Eurovision, than support abortion in Malta Dr Bezzina!
Why not give it a try and try your luck at the Eurovision yourself Dr Bezzina? Who knows maybe we will be lucky and win....... :)
Good Luck Morena, and keep your feet firmly to the ground!
Dr Emmy D. Bezzina, LL.D.
May 21st 2008, 03:07
WELL......after all the usual nonsense,hype and waste of money in such unproductive ventures [ a Feast by Fools for Fools ! ], is the way already being paved for our elimination ? Who cares about Black Corsets or Idiotic Group Backers, the bottom line is that while other European Countries participating take it as a Fun Game for the lower Intelligensia,MALTA gives it TOP BILLING with all the Media Sources manouvering to outlick one another ! MALTA GROW UP....we have not yet grasped what are basically fundamentally Family Rights yet,such as Divorce & Abortion....so we insist on this stupid contribution to an unworthy cause but for those who have a business interest + those who abide in EGO INFLATING! Notwithstanding.....GOOD LUCK MALTA & MORENA: Emmy of ALPHA Liberal Democratic.
Kyle Pullicino
May 20th 2008, 23:52
Good luck, Morena! Have fun and you make us proud whether you get into the final or not. :)