Malta fails to qualify for Eurovision final - Thea: 'I did my best'

Updated -

Malta, represented by Thea Garrett has failed to qualify for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, to be held on Saturday.

Thea gave a strong performance of her song My Dream in the first semi-final of the contest this evening but it all became a nightmare when the 10 qualifiers from the 17 participants were announced.

The qualifiers were Bosnia, Moldova, Russia, Greece, Portugal, Belarus, Serbia, Belgium, Albania and Iceland.

The 18-year-old appeared calm and confident in the most important three minutes of her life so far, and her song was well received by the audience, including a crowd of flag-waving Maltese.

Half of the vote was by televoting. The remaining half of the vote was by an international jury. The votes were submitted this afternoon after the judges watched yesterday's second rehearsal, during which Thea was impeccable.

THEA'S REACTION

A teary Thea said after the result was announced that she did her best and the rest was out of her control.

She later told foreign media that the Eurovision was not what it used to be and that neighbour voting had an effect on the result.

Thea was greeted by tens of Maltese fans as she came out of the arena. They cheered her and assured her that she had a great future ahead of her, a reaction which appeared to raise her spirits.