The stiff competition Thea Garrett's My Dream faced at the Eurovision explained why she failed to go through to the final. James Blunt, oops sorry, Tom Dice from Belgium was as authentic a personality as the German winner Lena. Other countries too sent strong packages. Malta's package of singer, song and stage performance was nothing outstanding, the tune even labelled "unmemorable".

The second semi-final was full of favourites and possible winners. If the two semi-finals had been more balanced, the final night might have given us a closer race.

After 28 years the Eurovision was won by Germany. Lena Meyer-Landrut's Satellite sparkled all over Europe, attracting especially the Scandinavian and Baltic countries. Although the promotional machinery of the past few months has been in high gear in these regions, it is not the only explanation for Germany's success. Ms Meyer-Landrut is an authentic teenager always showing her natural herself and not taking the Eurovision too seriously, but with joy and a great smile.

Perhaps the German concept of a casting show for the package-finding process is responsible for the victory. And it was a great victory, which tens of thousands celebrated in the streets everywhere in Germany, the atmosphere comparable to the FIFA World Cup of 2006.

In fact, authenticity is what Europe wants to see. The excellent results for Romania, Denmark and Belgium prove this as these contributions also focused more on song and singer than on any fancy stage acrobatics or pyrotechnics.

My recommendation for Malta would be to focus again on song and singer. Find fresh and unknown talents for both the singer and songwriter. Don't ruin a clean stage performance by stuffing it with confusing side elements. And please, take the Eurovision for what it is: Fun and joy!