2008

The Norwegian second chance contest was beforehand seen as an open battle between six equally strong songs. Four songs are now left on to fight their own battle in making it on the charts without the chance to represent Norway in Belgrade.

The night of the Slovene final was truly a night to remember.  A very "tight" battle between Rebeka Dremelj and Skupina Langa ended with Rebeka winning the "ticket" to Belgrade.

Azerbaijan has selected Elnur as their first representative on the Eurovision Song Contest stage. After the Swiss vampires didn't survive the 2007 semi-final, Azerbaijan tries the same theme again hoping that angels might keep them alive.

After failing to qualify for the final since the semi-finals were introduced, Estonia have chosen what could be described as a ‘nonsense’ song to keep their hopes alive until the end of Eurovision week for the first time since 2003.

Turkey is attending with a rock band that's popular with the young generation.

A bit unexpected perhaps, but after the Danes had voted Simon Mathew was the winner of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2008. Whether or not he brings Denmark to the final we don’t know, but one thing is for sure; it will be All Night Long in Belgrade.

Bosnia have chosen the famous (in the Balkans anyway) singer Elvir Lakovic Laka to represent them in Belgrade. He will sing the song Pokusaj (Try) in the first semi-final on Tuesday 20th May.

Cyprus felt the cold shoulder of the Eurovision audience in 2007. Many feel Evridiki deserved a better placing. Now Evdokia is putting her song and herself forward for the Mediterranean nation, can she succeed where Evridiki failed or is this another risky choice from Cyprus?

Belarus made the Eurovision final for the first time in 2007, understandably they were a little upset when they found out that they'd have to qualify again this year. Can Ruslan see the state though to it's second ESC final.

The Maltese may not have had the best Eurovision results in the last two years, but now they're breaking out the 'Vodka'.