Ariadne Massa in Belgrade
Malta fails to qualify
Morena was eliminated from tomorrow's Eurovision final.
Good looks, confidence and an upbeat song proved to be no match against the tough competition in last night's semi-final and Morena failed to qualify for tomorrow's Eurovision final in Belgrade.
Malta sorely needed to qualify after two consecutive dismal rankings and everybody was banking on Morena's ability to woo Europe's voting public with her good looks and confidence - the charm failed to work its magic.
This coupled with an energetic song, composed by Philip Vella and penned by Gerard James Borg, should have proved to be a winning combination.
A gloomy mood hung over the Maltese in Serbia, as people began to question and analyse what could have gone wrong. What ingredients did Malta have to concoct to qualify for the final?
Despite this, Morena was taking the loss in her stride and last night went to party at the Euroclub with the other contestants.
Described by critics as the entry with "the catchiest introduction this year", and predicted by fans' polls to place among the top 10, Vodka, with its Eastern European influences, failed to rank.
After 15 minutes of televoting, the presenters Jovana Jankovic and Zeljko Joksimovic turned up with the 10 envelopes in hand. After the nine countries were announced and one envelope was left people started shouting, "Malta, Malta", but instead Portugal was read out.
For the past week, the 24-year-old Gozitan has been walking a tightrope of odds as predictions over her placing varied between the unimpressed bookmakers and the more optimistic fans and press.
The 2008 Europrediction of the oikotimes.com was placing Malta in ninth place as a likely qualifier for tomorrow's final, and in its review of the afternoon's rehearsal, the website, renowned for not mincing its words, praised Morena's singing and said, "It looks likely to be in the final shake-up".
Meanwhile, the bookmakers have never budged, and Malta remained stuck between the 13th and 14th place.
Irrespective of the fact that Malta failed to place, whoever competes next year will still have to start off in one of two semi-finals, after the European Broadcasting Union changed the regulations in a bid to create a fairer competition.
The first nine entries from last night's show were chosen through televoting, while the 10th was selected by a jury.
The 10 finalists that qualified, in the order they were announced, are: Ukraine, Croatia, Albania, Iceland, Georgia, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Turkey, and Portugal.
The scoreboard featuring the final results of the two semi-finals will not be revealed until after tomorrow's final so as not to prejudice the public vote on the night.
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In Discussion
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Jason Pace
May 24th 2008, 13:10
Claire Galea - well said...
Morena won because Gozo voted for her. Sunrise was a much better song.
Again, the previous previous festival...Vertigo won because I lost the count of how many times the singer (forgot the name) came second...so sympathy towards the singer..
To David Muscat : Hiding behind the excuse of where is Malta is a joke since we are still the same Malta of when we came 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th places etc.
Furhermore, commenting on the ""I knew it" game" this very website had a poll just right after the maltese festival whether the right song has won - Morena. It was clear from the polls that people did not like the song since it was over 50% that people voted that they did not like the song. These are the people that are saying "I knew" now...well over 50% of the maltese people! I was also one of the people to comment on the articles about the song - well basically asking simple questions - "what she is singing about? what she is saying?"
I simply want my tax money well spent at the end of the day!
Robert Garmston
May 24th 2008, 09:52
Being British I can never vote for the UK entry so I decided many years ago to behave like the Eastern Europeans and the Scandinavians and be plainly biased. I ALWAYS vote for Malta whether the song is good or bad. Fabrizio's" "Summer Night" was fabulous and did nothing. Chiara had more success. This year Morena looked attractive but would maybe have looked better in a pretty , sparkling frock like the other so-called divas.
The song? Well, it had connotations of binge drinking , something many countries are battling against. Perhaps many viewers thought the subject rather contentious, and to be honest thought the performance was adequate it was all rather "in your face"......boots and all!
The fact that Malta is small and maybe a few don't know where it is geographically is NOT a reason why you never win. The UK, with arguably one the top worldwide pop cultures also never wins, so keep at it.
Next year send another pretty girl, or young attractive guy with a bright song.....you WILL win one day!!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 23rd 2008, 21:06
Well done to Morena. Our Margherita gave an excellent performance. I was sure she would make it to the final, but unfortunately we happen to be a small island in the Mediterranean!
I believe that next year we should send Frankie Quatromani with his kukku and having Joe Demicoli as his back vocalist.. Maybe the Eurovision will get what it actually deserves!
David Muscat
May 23rd 2008, 18:16
I still can't believe it! No not that Morena did't make it to the final, but that still in this country there are so many people that still play "I knew it" game. How come that these comments only come up after the show.
I am sorry for Malta not to have qualified second time in a row. The song was not that bad, performance and coreography too. so what has been lacking. possibly we are still suffering from the "Where the hell is this country named Malta?" syndrome. but this is just a guess.
What do you think should we do like others did and have a break.
Claire Galea
May 23rd 2008, 16:51
Before yesterday I knew Malta will not win with Vodka not because Morena is lacking in star quality or confidence but the song really isn't all that good. The dancers' choreography wasn't good either and overall nothing sparkled on stage. But when I started watching the contest yesterday I thought Malta had more of a chance. Did you hear Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic and Shady Lady from Ukraine - my goodness - my ears were going to fall off - they sang off key most of the time. I really thought Malta would do better at this point because Morena always sings in tune. Yet Ukraine and Latvia are in the final! My favourites were Sweden and Portugal and they are both in as well.
For next year a better song should be chosen by a jury and not by the hoards of people sympathising for one particular singer. Sunrise by Claudia Faniello was overall a much better song - written well and sung to perfection - no shouting involved.
patrick camilleri
May 23rd 2008, 14:11
It's about time people realised that the Eurovision Song Contest is NOT a simple song contest. It it were it could be broadcast on the radio.
The fact that it is broadcast on TV means that it is effectively a competition for the best 3-MINUTE SHOW.
Everything counts, the singer, his/ her personality / image, the style of the clothes, the colours of the clothes, the dancers, the background singers, the choreography, lighting, the colour of the set in the background etc:
Yes, the song is important, but it is only one factor in the equation.
As far as taking part is concerned .....I see no reason for stopping. After all .. we take part in football and other sporting competitions and never seem to win anything!
Lighten up and take it for what it really is .... a harmless bit of fun!
G. Scerri
May 23rd 2008, 13:40
It's only a song folks. Our national honour is not at stake. Isn't it time to chill out a bit? The suggestion to privatise it makes sense. If nothing else, only those essential to the project will get free holidays.
Jasmine Grech
May 23rd 2008, 13:11
I agree with Martin Büttner that Morena tried hard but her performance was not the best when compared to other contestants. Besides, sorry to say that the song "Vodka" was not the best choice neither.
Many strong singers and beautiful songs were delivered in the Malta Eurovision each year and in 2008, I was especially impressed with the song "Sunrise" composed by Ray Agius, performed by Claudia Faniello who delivered it so beautifully.
Her vocal and overall performance were extremely impressive. I was confident that if "Sunrise" was chosen to represent Malta in Eurovision 2008, it would have rocked the stadium of the hosting country on Thursday.
Since, "popularity" is the name of the "game" in the Malta Eurovision, who's to be blamed?
M. Grima
May 23rd 2008, 12:34
Pirates made it to the final!!!!! What the heck! Why bother for next year!!!! And with all due respect, we should stick to our own roots i.e. Maltese and English and not try to impress with a bunch of lousy words from other languages.......Russian words in a Maltese song...what is the connection??? I agree with J. Stafrace, these funds should be invested into the local scene and not on such a useless stage! Well, not so useless for Morena I guess, having said it herself that she will be shopping and sightseeing now. The Maltese population has always lost because we haven't achieved a good result for a good time now, mainly because of poor songs and favouritism.......give us a break because this contest has unfortunately become a disgrace to music!
victor deguara
May 23rd 2008, 12:17
Can those responsible, please, tell us - as tax-payers - how much is forked out from our coffers to participate in this vision, I mean hotels, fares and all that.? Can these monies be put to a different/better use - like promotion of other arts? Because, after all, it's not only singers who like to have exposure of their talent outside our small territories...
Ivan Galea
May 23rd 2008, 12:01
come on guys bring on JOZETTE and lets really have a bash....and you commitee guys.. and dolls, it seems your time is up now after THREE consecutive flops..bring in new fresh blood to the organisation commitee and as regards composers and lyrics writers...guess you also have to give a chance to new faces...not always the same duo...
andy rosiak
May 23rd 2008, 11:49
I am writing from the UK and i just want to say i thought Morena gave an outstanding performance last night. Having seen a couple of rehersals on the internet, id been worried as it all seemed a bit static, but what energy she had last night! I hope, even though she didnt make it (unjustly), the Maltese show her lots of love and support. Morena visited London last month as part of her promo tour, and proved far and away to be the most poular act - im delighted i got to see her live and i hope to do so again. And please Malta, dont pull out of the competition - im a firm believer in the saying 'good things come to those who wait' - so next year, come back and win it! All the best x Ps dont 'protest vote' by giving the UK 12 points please, we deserve to come last. Give it to Bosnia instead, that would be funny! x
M. Debono
May 23rd 2008, 11:49
Excellent performance. No fear of the audience. Great stage presence. Wrong song.
I look forward for next year to team up with the Italians and send a duo, as a "protest performance". If not, i still think that Jo Zette of BOMBA would have done some miracles on stage and with votes!!:)
Iris Azzopardi
May 23rd 2008, 11:39
I am sorry for Morena. She is a nice down-to-earth girl, quite unlike some of the 'divas' we had in the past.
However, the song was a disaster, and certainly did not deserve to qualify. Thankfully this year we were spared some of the bombast in the local media which usually accompanies the local entry.
If Malta intends to continue taking part, it must radically revamp the entire set-up - officials, composers, songwriters, singers, etc. The present concept is well past its sell-by date.
Better still would be to stop wasting taxpayers' money on this sad circus, and instead spend it on something useful, like the protection of our endangered heritage and, yes, books for our national library.
Joseph Borg
May 23rd 2008, 11:39
Honestly, my opinion is that for a song to do well it has got to be a good one; it's as simple as that. 'Vodka' had neither poetic lyrics nor expressive melody. Just an energetic scream-it-out-loud performance (in line with the general trend of the Eurovision songs) couldn't be the answer; not even by the exploitaion of the good looks of the singer.
The decision one has to make is to either choose artists and songs of higher quality (which exist in abundance on this island, believe it or not) or seriously consider our participation in this contest.
Unfortunately, mediocrity on this island is hard to eradicate.
Ruth MIZZI
May 23rd 2008, 11:27
WOW!! Does this sound familiar or what?!? Next round, a whole load of questions trying to suss what went wrong etc., etc... STOP this farce once and for all and call it a day!!! It's clear that we are just ridiculing ourselves infront of everybody (much to Terry Wogan's pleasure!!!)
Dermot Cullinane
May 23rd 2008, 11:07
Yes of course, Malta must continue to enter the Eurovision. Malta consistently enters a well above average song and frequently the best song. Last evening Morena gave an exceptional performance of an excellent song. All of her native Gozo and Malta can be really proud of her...she is a star performer. She should have qualified just as Ira Losco shuld have won outright a few years back. Well done Morena!!!!
Dermot Cullinane, Cork , Ireland
S. Agius
May 23rd 2008, 11:05
OPINION
- Strong Vocal Performance definitely one of the best in the evening
- Very Energetic maybe a bit too much especially towards end
- Weak Display compared to others with our same setup (1 singer 4 dancers) so left no visual impact whatsoever with audience (gimmicks can work at times)
SUGGESTION
- There is no formulae to win this thing however there must be a formulae to at least QUALIFY for the final
- We 'lost' 2 years in a row so please someone pick up some courage and resign. Let's leave space for new people and fresh ideas. It's useless to say but we tried our best as i am sure everyone does. Look outside our shores and appreciate that the top guys ultimately have to take the blame
- Local festival should take either a format which is 50% jury 50% televoting to as much as possible give a better weighted result or else a festival to chose the best song for a specific prechosen singer, which i believe is a format taken but a number of competing countries.
p.s. ultimately this is entertainment and not purely a song festival
Sarah Jane Gatt
May 23rd 2008, 11:01
Well done Morena,
but I really think Malta should follow Italy and stop entering. What a waste of Maltese taxpayers money!!!!!!!!!
emilio calleja
May 23rd 2008, 10:52
The time has come to abandon the hope of winning the Eurovision. I have lost interest in the Eurovision a long way back and think this should be our last entry. We should have won on three seperate occocasions, but came 3rd and 2nd. The Eurovision isn't a singing contest, people don't vote for who had the best song, but who had the best theatrics. Apart from the fact that the Eastern European countries all vote for themselves. The contest should be renamed eastovision.
A Grech
May 23rd 2008, 10:50
Morena performed very well and it was the song that was rejected.
In Malta we vote for whom we know and not for the best song. In my opinion, one of the songs by Ray Agius was more dynamic than Vodka and I was surprised that Ray's song was not the chosen one to represent Malta.
Up in Europe, they don't vote for whom WE KNOW but for the best song.
It was not Morena's fault. There was another better song that could have been chosen.
Pierre Portelli
May 23rd 2008, 10:37
Of course we should continue participating in the Eurovision, but we should understand why we're doing it. By now it's clear that we do it for the promotion, so forget the local contest and let’s send the best designed package with the most talented people in the industry. The Malta Song Board should be privatized and given to those who have an interest in getting the festival to Malta. Then and only then we'll manage to get the results. In the meantime, congrets to Morena for an excellent performance but the lighting during her song was horrible.
Martin Frendo
May 23rd 2008, 10:32
not really one of the productions from Philip and Gerald James. am sure they can produce better. maybe they take a break and come with with some fresh ideas. but Morena was excellent girl with a "Grinta" Gozo :-) wow!!!!
yet we should still partecipate. at the end of the day it is all exposure for the Maltese islands. just change the way the singer is selected.
yes we should go more for real musical festivals as unfortunately this has turned into an Eastern european back scratching . yet one can just simply enjoy the show without any agro and comment the terry wogan way :-)
David Stephen Ganado
May 23rd 2008, 10:25
Come on guys! You must admit that compared to the songs presented last night Malta had a very good product. I felt that it ranked in the top three or four for the night. Other really good ones were the Swiss song and the Swedish one.
That 'pirate' song was a farce yet it made it! this shows that people vote fo rthe country and not the song.
the problem is that if we stop competing it will seem like we are sore loosers, so until we find a more serious platform to compete from (maybe San Remo?) we will have to continue. Maybe if we learn to take the whole thing with a pinch of salt without spending so much money, we may end up being surprised with the result!
Mark Fleri
May 23rd 2008, 10:25
Time to stop wasting tax payers money on ESC. How much money of our taxes is being spent each year on this rubbish? People keep on moaning about the cost in the rise of petrol, food, electricity etc yet we still participate in this utter rubbish of a contest. If Maltese singers want to participate in such drivel then they should fork out the expenses themselves to take part. Morena got a nice free holiday and a little publicity for herself at our expense.
adrian sammut
May 23rd 2008, 10:18
I've deciphered the code: ..........VODKA = VOID OF DISTINCTION . KILLED AGAIN !
Bodva ye ye, vudva waa wond uu suuw beeeh!!
Anyone understood this?
Neither did anyone listening to Malta's song. Subtitles Please!
J. Stafrace
May 23rd 2008, 10:04
I think the time has come for the authorities to decide whther we should continue to participate in the Eurovision or not. It is clear from the results that voting is broadly done on geographical sympathies. In my opinion public funds spent on this annual adventure, instead, should either be invested in more local cultural/musical events or given in prizes for the first three winners of an annual national song festival competition.
Martin Büttner
May 23rd 2008, 09:51
Morena tried hard, but her performance on Thursday was poor. Most of the other contestants showed much stronger packages. The Maltese entry was noothing special. It had a catchy entry, but that's it. Hoping it would remain as catchy lead to big disappointment. Let's face it: Malta needs an outstanding performer on stage. And excuse me, but Morena was not outstanding at all.
J Azzopardi
May 23rd 2008, 09:39
so does this finally mean we can get rid of the 'magical songwriting duo'? please tell me it does!
Keith Grech
May 23rd 2008, 09:35
Well done Morena....good performance. Now I can sit back and watch football.....Hamrun vs B'Kara and the coppa italia.