Eurovision Song Contest 2008 - Semi-Final Allocation Draw

Today at 13:00 CET, the organizers of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest conducted the Semi-Final Allocation Draw, to determine which country would take part in which of the two Semi-Finals.

The draw was broadcast live in about ten countries and through Eurovision.tv's esctv.

The draw for the actual running order will take place on the 17th of March, during the annual Heads of Delegation meeting, in Belgrade, Serbia.

The following countries will be represented in the first Semi-Final, on Tuesday, 20th of May:

Andorra
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Estonia
Finland
Greece
Ireland
Israel
Moldova
Montenegro
The Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Romania
Russia
San Marino
Slovenia
Germany (voting rights, will not participate)
Spain (voting rights, will not participate)

The following countries will be represented in the second Semi-Final, on Thursday, 22nd of May:

Albania
Belarus
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
FYR Macedonia
Georgia
Hungary
Iceland
Latvia
Lithuania
Malta
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Ukraine
France (voting rights, will not participate)
Serbia (voting rights, will not participate)
United Kingdom (voting rights, will not participate)

It was also determined by draw that Germany and Spain will be obliged to broadcast the first Semi-Final live and to vote. France and the United Kingdom will be broadcasting the second Semi-Final, as well as take part in the voting. Host country Serbia will broadcast both Semi-Finals, and has been drawn to vote in the second Semi-Final.

source:eurovision.tv

Malta - Morena - Vodka

Morena will represent Malta with the song Vodka at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade.

The Gozitan singer Morena is unique in her capabilities of singing. She tries different of styles and her voice is one of the best on the islands.

Last December she won the Malta International TV Song Festival with the song "Boghod Mill-Ghajn...Boghod Mill-Qalb" composed by Renato Briffa and penned by Mark Amaira.

Morena - Vodka

sources and photo:escmalta.com;ogaemalta.com;youtube.com

RELATED : New audio version of Vodka

Switzerland - Paolo Meneguzzi - Era stupendo

Paolo Meneguzzi will represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade with the song "Era stupendo".

Paolo Meneguzzi is 31 years old and he is known in Italy after competing four times at the San Remo music festival. (video San Remo)

Paolo Meneguzzi: Era Stupendo


Lyrics:

C'è una parte di me
Che tacere non sa
Quando guardo l'odio che c'è
Il dolore, la povertà
Mi rivedo bambino io
Che correvo nel blu

Era stupendo volare via, sfidare il tempo, la fantasia
La tua mano e la mia, nella stessa poesia,
Era stupendo

Ma una notte vedrai
Dal destino uscirò, lo giuro
Se la vita ci aspetterà
Torneremo laggiù

Sarà stupendo volare via,sfidare ancora il tempo,la fantasia
E poi la tua mano e la mia, nella stessa poesia
Era stupendo, era stupendo

Perchè non c'è pace finchè
Tutti pensano a sè
Era stupendo volare via, sfidare il tempo,la fantasia
La tua mano e la mia, nella stessa poesia
Era stupendo, era stupendo.


sources:paolomenguzzi.it;esctoday.com;youtube.com

Albania - Olta Boka - Zemrën lamë peng

Albania has decided that Olta Boka will go to Belrade with the song Zemrën lamë peng (We gambled the heart)

Olta Boka - Zemrën lamë