Glen Vella, 27, this year’s winner of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest told timesofmalta.com that he was “simply over the moon.”

He said he had been preparing his entry since last year’s song contest- when he came runner-up - and had always believed in his song.

A self-declared Eurovision fan, he still can’t believe that it will be him who will be representing Malta this year: “You can just imagine what this means to me,” he said.

Italian singer Riccardo Cocciante praised Mr Vella for his “vital energy and joie de vivre”.

Maestro Cocciante in a press conference held after the concert, said that Mr Vella had a strong stage presence and his song told a very personal tale which came across through his singing.

He congratulated runner up Richard Edwards – who placed second by only two points: “It was very close,” said Mro Cocciante. He thanked the organisers and said that the event reflected the warm heart of the country: “Your country is not insular but opens its arms to the whole world.” This will be the second Eurovision Contest Song for ‘One Life’ composer Paul Giordamania.

“In 1991 I represented Malta as a singer, and now 20 years later I’ll be representing Malta as a composer. I am honoured.”

See the winning song at

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110212/local/glenn-vella-triumphs-at-the-malta-eurovision-song-contest