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Switzerland: Isolation and disappointment
“Paolo out – why should be bother any more?” screams the top headline on Swedish publication Blick’s webpage, mere minutes after the ten envelopes were read out. “It’s over in the semi again” the site ruefully announces. And indeed, many fans will be reeling at the unexpected premature exit of Paolo Meneguzzi, especially after a strong vocal performance.
But Blick is quick not to lay the blame at Easten Europe’s door alone, as was the case last year. “As the only Western European country in the second semi-final...” (Blick apparently counting Scandinavia as a separate block) “...Switzerland failed to get through to the final. Does Europe have something against us?”
Blick ends its article with a question to readers: “should Switzerland even take part in Eurovision any more?” although the tone of the article suggests that cynicism has already set in at the Swiss camp. With so many smiling faces in both sides of Europe at the 2008 results so far, being a Swiss Eurovision supporter seems a difficult thing in these times.
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Well, for me it's a shame.
The song had CLASS, CHARM and QUALITY. The vocals, well, might not have been stunning but they had a lot of emotion. I was touched by the live performance and I think it was better than the one included in Coro Via because it was real, sincere and humane.
What was Europe thinking?
I am very disappointed. Switzerland has every right not to participate next year. Italy is justified too. Imagine sending someone like Eros Ramazzotti and being left out!
Roger Federer for Eurovision ATPMoscow 2009. If Dima is allowed to sing on ice, Roger can sing on Grass.
http://delirium.fm/
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MOR VE OTESI (TURKEY) - DELI-
CRAZY
GO TURKEY.....
In my humble opinion, Croatia was a thousand times better than Switzerland. 'Era stupendo' is just one more Italian ballad, like many others, while Croatia is sort of a folky-tango. It's different, and adds some variety to the final. In addition, Paolo's performance was anything but flawless, and the dancers the most annoying thing I've seen in this ESC 2008.
But of course, I'd prefer Switzerland over Latvia - Latvia always do its best to be the ESC-country I like the least. They never fail!!!
Paolo was amazingly sweet and gave a strong performance BUT I was totally disappointed with the background singers/"dancers". Their choreography..well where was it! They just raised their hands and leaned to the piano..
Paolo should have got the spot from the final (instead of Latvia and Denmark)!!
Well as that's said.. I truly hope and pray that somehow Azerbaijan could win. All the luck for them!
All countries from the second Semi Final deserved to qualify since that bad performend, ba dsung and simple composed entry from Latvia is in the Final. That's all.
Switzerland DESERVED not to qualify!
that is such a shame that switzerland is not in the final!!! i just can´t belive it!! paulo was fantastic on Thursday!
I must say I hadn't heard the song before and it came across as totally bland on Thursday night and I am not surprised it didn't qualify... I have forgotten the song completely..even though I am very italianophile and was excited about the entries from Switzerland and San Marino this year...
I think it's an outright shame,that Switzerland,didn't get to the the final.but i must admit his performance was a bit weak in place's.i love the song. i was thinking what if next year,with the semi final's,they arrange it that only the opposite semi finalist,can vote for the show that night.it may make thing's a little more fair. and in reality,the only thing that can save Eurovision,is to have jury's and not televoting.it would be a shame if Switzerland,was to withdraw,as it's neighbour Austria.has done.
The Swiss entry deserved a place in the 10 qualifiers
Switzerland have a great and so beautiful song this year and a great singer.
Vitor
@ James S
I think Armenia was better than Switzerland and I still voted for her - she still did her intro notes very well and she was moving and dancing a lot. It was certainly not flawless and if she doesnt improve on Saturday she shouldnt win. But I have seen Surisho perform incredibly well on her promo so I feel there is more chance of her improving than Paolo who was flat in every rehearsal . Also her semi was easier to get through as it was lower quality in semi 1. You couldnt afford as many mistakes in semi 2
@Owen Wilson - Bosnia is pure art and is one of the classiest performances I have seen - it is so well thought through that is is almost scary - it is NOT a joke entry. And France is not about gimmick entry at all, it would be the same as saying that Air and Daft Punk are all about gimmicks as well - and they are some of the most recognised and respected bands in the WORLD. Just because you dont understand the song doesnt mean it is a gimmick....
Hi, BenThere's no point in bringing the question. Portugal's a firmly united country. And, believe me nothing could be further from our thoughts, we, the people hailing from the Azores, than becoming independent. We're as much Portuguese as the Portuguese living in Mainland Europe and in the Arquipelago of Madeira, that's where our powerful and very genuine and kind singer, Vania, comes from. Ans she's doing us proud, as you can imagine. May the best song win, of course, everybody. That's the spirit of a modern, new swinging Western nation which has outgrown its old imperial prejudices and was home late last year to the new Europe Union's Treaty. So, it won't be long before Europe, all Europe, becomes a robust co-federation of countries where the West/East political divide won't be such a sad affair of speculation anymore, even though there still might be some truth in some of many people's critical claims here. As for Switzerland, they're just utterly disappointed, I am sure Switzerland's dominant reaction will soon blow over, because Switzerland IS the Very Eztraordinary Homeland of moderate sagacity. So, Pablo, as Britain so wisely tell us, when you do not succeed, you try again! Best wishes!
Granted Switzerland's wasn't a flawless performance but did you see Armenia on Tuesday????? She missed so many notes but still went through - does the performance not matter as much if you sing under a certain flag?
Whereas Switzerland had a smashing song and the perfomance may have improved if it had progressed to the final - unless there's a power cut in Belgrade this evening some of the rot that got through (Latvia, Croatia) will still be rubbish.
Ever the optimist I'm pinning my hopes on Portugal
The Swiss entry may not have been the greatest but it definitely deserved a place in the 10 qualifiers.
I'm sure the Swiss are one of the big losers of all the voting issues and what chances that Portugal were saved by the jury?
Yes - the Swiss suffered from the East and Scandanavian block voting. They always will - as will Portugal, Netherlands etc.
And - the semi final system is all well and good but in the final we will be back to the same old trend of the recent televotes. We all know where the top votes are going from many countries regardless of the song.
So - yes, I think the Swiss may as well withdraw. Then let UK follow and others!
ESC is dying.
The performance wasn't that bad, some singers who got to the final sung far worse. And what is Latvia doing in the final????
I really can't explain why Paolo didn't get to the final. I wouldn't be surprised to discover that Switzerland was the 10th nation which was let down by the juries!
Switzerland have a great and so beautiful song this year and a great singer , his not classification is the great injustice of this year .
Sharing your views completely Owen
I think the dancers let him down badly, the didn't seem to have any sort of timing or anything, and when they started dancing together it was just comical! and what is more it didn't really contribute to the song at all!
Switzerland is a real shame this year! they really deserved it definately over countries like Croatia or Latvia (even though I do like the Latvian entry this year), but stopping bloc voting completely is impossible so over all i think its a good result!
Beautiful song but the singer was so nervous he sang it compeletely flat resulting in an unconvincing performance. I am very sorry for CH they deserved to go through. Way better than Latvia (trite crap). This will be on my ipod for years to come. UK loves ya Switzerland.
Ayça
What is Bosnia if it isn't a trash entry? Bosnia and Latvia are the two gimmick acts through to the final! and they join Spain and France, mind you considering we had about 8 gimmick acts this year to cut it down to 4 already is quite and achievement
Other singers sang badly but are in the final...
Unfortunately the Swiss performance just wasn't good enough on the night. It was a great song, but I was really disappointed...
Switzerland had a great song, but the performance was much too bad to qualify.
Latvia will be the only trash song of the final.
Slovenia and Switzerland deserved to be in the final.I voted for Switzerland because the singer and the song were lovely and I like Italian.
Sweden wasn't that impressive.I don't understand why people voted that song.I think it's attractive just because the singer is an ex-winner.
It's going to be a hard final and somethings are going to change.
Good luck to Deli,the best song of the year.
Sorry Switserland, great song but so bad preformed and sang. You did not deserved to go to the final.
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