Chiara in confident mood

Chiara polished up her act during yesterday's two dress rehearsals for tonight's Eurovision Song Contest final, giving a more confident performance than in the semi-finals.

"I really enjoyed it on stage. I hope I manage to retain this mood, because on the night the excitement kicks in. I try to calm my nerves by asking those around me to recount jokes," she said.

Chiara, who is singing in the 14th position from 25 competing countries, was well received by the crowd of fans and media in the arena, and the official website, eurovision.tv, described the 32-year-old's vocals as "outstanding".

However, the website oikotimes.com, which is renowned for not mincing its words, was less impressed with the first dress rehearsal and expressed doubt whether it would score well in the final.

This website's reviewer got a change of heart during her second dress rehearsal last night and described her act as a "perfect performance", worthy of a "true diva".

Irrespective of the reviews, Chiara is out to prove she can do well and after coming so close to winning - she placed third in 1998 and second in 2005 - she is keen to garner a good position because there was too much at stake.

She acknowledged that the competition was tough and there were some seven to eight really promising entries that were in the race for the title.

Would she compete again next year if she does not win tonight?

"Not next year because I've got commitments, but the year after I'll try again for sure," she said, admitting she was quite stubborn in one day achieving her goal to bring the Eurovision trophy home.

Malta's entry has been getting ample coverage, especially in the British media, because Chiara is a recognisable face and she is so eager to win. PBS secured her an interview with BBC and Russia's national television station, among many others.

Meanwhile, The Guardian newspaper has urged its readers to "gaze charitably" upon the "delightful" Chiara, and while the song may not be "ear-grabbing", the singer had form.

Chiara's entry tonight is sandwiched between Moldova's ethnic entry and Estonia's haunting song. According to British bookmaker William Hill's predictions, Malta shares 10th place with Estonia with odds of 50:1.

The top five favourites are Norway, Greece, Turkey, the UK, Azerbaijan and Bosnia Herzegovina.