Ahead of the Eurovision Grand Final in Stockholm this evening, expectations in Malta are sky-high that Ira Losco can achieve a Top Five position or better, which would represent Malta’s best finish in more than 10 years.
In Stockholm, however, expectations are being tempered, with a Top Five finish seen as potentially out of reach, and Top 10 an achievable – but by no means certain – target. This outlook corresponds with betting patterns that have seen Malta consistently ranked between seventh and eighth position.
In past years, Malta has fared well in the jury vote but tele-voting results have been poor by comparison, with the country not typically benefiting from neighbour votes or diaspora effects.
Malta’s best finish since Chiara’s second place in 2005 was Gianluca Bezzina, who placed eighth in 2013.
International journalists at the Eurovision press centre (see video) largely backed up this view on Malta’s chances, with many expressing admiration for the song and “hope” that it could reach the Top 10.
“The song is good; Ira makes it better. I think she could make Top 10 if she hits all her camera angles,” said William Lee Adams from leading Eurovision news outlet wiwibloggs.
“The staging is lovely; when she walks down that LED runway it seems to stretch for miles, and she’s got the legs to walk it.”
PBS CEO Anton Attard told the Times of Malta: “The contest has expanded enormously over the years and getting a good result now is much more difficult than it was five years ago let alone 14 years ago when Ira Losco secured second place with Seventh Wonder.
“Getting a good result depends on everyone’s input in getting family and friends living abroad to vote for Malta. If the Maltese want to do well they need to get everyone they know abroad to pick up the phone and vote for song 22. The competition is tough and every vote will count.”
Meanwhile, Losco herself also made a final appeal to Maltese people in comments to the Times of Malta, urging people to encourage their friends and family living overseas to vote for Malta.
“It is after all a competition and we would like to fare well, so your help would be greatly appreciated,” she said.
The singer gave a strong rendition of Walk of Water during last night’s jury final. Observers said she was focused and her delivery transmitted very strongly on the TV screen. She has also attracted a lot of attention on social media, with more than five million views of her video on YouTube.
Timesofmalta.com will be providing a live-blog from our reporter in Stockholm during this evening's Grand Final from 8.30pm.