News - The Winners' Conference | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2010 Oslo, Norway 

member login (forgot password?) subscribe (free!)

Become Esctoday fan on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Visit our Youtube Official channel Check our Myspace!


Credits

Written by

Richard West-Soley

Published

12/May 2009 at 23:38

Source(s)

esctoday.com

News

esctoday.com live from the Eurovision Song Contest, Moscow 2009 - © esctoday.com
© esctoday.com

Europe's ten winners

The Winners' Conference

Join esctoday.com live from the press conference hall in Moscow, as the ten winners from the first semifinal answer the journalists' questions.

The mood in the hall is jubilant as groups of journalists from the winning countries celebrate. Spirits are high as the collected press wait for the ten acts, as the songs are played over the PA system.

The artists now make their entrances as the journalists stand and the Eurovision theme Te Deum is played.

The artists now take it in turns to take a draw number and answer two questions.

Sweden pulls out draw number 4 in the final.

Malena is asked who she thinks the sexiest, most charming male contestant is. She answers that the girls are actually quite sexy this year, illiciting a round of applause... Before admitting that Sakis is the man who she would pick! She was then asked if she would try the Eurovision Song Contest again after a successfull semifinal experience this year - she answered that she might, if she gets really drunk next year!

Armenia draws number 9 in the final.

The girls are asked to describe the five minutes before they step out onto the Eurovision stage. They answer that they meditate with a special breathing technique. They were also asked about the creator of their stage image - and the girls thanked Fresh Art for their work (who were also in the audience at the press conference).

Turkey draws number 18 in the final.

Hadise was complimented on her beauty by a member of the press, who then asked her to mention another artist more beautiful than her in this year's contest. Hadise simply pointed out the other women in the top ten next to her, before saying that the question was not a fair one.

Hadise also admitted that she had doubts about whether she would reach the final at all. And she admitted that being drawn first made the experience too fast and not tense enough... But added that it was an honour to be the first country drawn out.

Israel draws number 2 in the final.

Noa said that despite being number two in the final, they hoped they would do well. But they hope that the song will stress that there must be another way for two peoples to live together in peace. They were also asked for a response to criticism that Israel sent the song as a piece of pro-Israeli propaganda. Mira defended this by stressing that the messages from both her and Noa are their own, personal messages - real and true, and not dictated by anyone else. Noa added that the two of them represent millions of people in the world who are moderates, who choose life over death - which won a round of applause from the audience.

Iceland draws number 7 in the final.

Yoanna talked about how nervous she felt for being drawn last - and confessed that she cried with relief when the country was called out. She added that she thought the winner might be in the room right now. Quizzed about the current economic crisis in Iceland, Yoanna said that the country could really use some good news right now, and thanked everyone who voted for Iceland.

Romania draws number 22 in the final.

Elena told the press that she is not superstitious, but rather believes in God and believes that God will help you. After thanking all her voters, and God for being with her throughout this time, she thanked the journalists of Europe for helping to promote her song. She is excited for the final night, and said that her thanks to the people will be through her song.

Finland draws number 24 in the final (after asking the Romanian interpreter to open the Matroshka doll!)

Waldo's People admitted to losing complete control once their envelope was read out. They are looking forward to a couple of days off now, after ten days in Moscow and a lot of hard work. They also thanked Moscow and Russia, and added that they have really enjoyed their time here - and can see even more of the place over the next two days.

Portugal draws number 6 in the final.

The tears at the end of the performance were due to the emotion of a performance after singing with the band for just eight months, Daniela Varela explained. When the envelope was drawn, the singer explained that it was a huge, emotional moment, and added that thanks should go to all the song's fans. And she pointed out that this support was part of what made her cry, especially hearing people chanting Portugal in the audience.

Malta draws number 14 in the final.

Chiara said that she was proud to take Malta's name back into the Eurovision Song Contest final, and thought that the island would be going crazy by now. But asked whether victory was so important to her after a 3rd and 2nd place, she denied that this attempt is just promotion - actually she is just a very stubborn person, and wants to try and finish the job properly!

Bosnia & Herzegovina draws number 12 in the final.

The delegation was asked which song is their favourite (excluding their own) - the answer was simply ABBA's Waterloo overall, but Patricia Kaas's entry from this year. Challenged over the staging of the song and its communist connotations, this was defended by the retort that the song is a love song, and the longing in it is for love, not a bygone regime.

 


Related polls




Go directly to the reactions

Reactions

When reacting to a news item, please stick to the topic. Inappropriate messages (swearing, racism, hate, etc.), messages in other languages than English and spam (which includes URL advertising) will be deleted and you risk your account being removed. Reacting on newsitems is only possible when logged in as a member. Still don't have member account?

Click here to react  Click here to become a member (free!)


ENE ALEXANDRU [56721]
Thu 14 May 2009 18:54:44

GO ELENA!vote for ROMANIA and you ll see in Bucharest a very nice show!!!!


Razmik Ghukasyan [56673]
Thu 14 May 2009 09:43:27

To: Moshe Siegel

Your information is wrong. I have heard and have Yuri Shatunov's "Detstvo" in my library; these songs have no relationship to each other. However I have to say that there is nothing special about Norwegian entry, except for the Scandinavian folk beginning with the violin.

I would like to see the Armenian sisters win, which is not impossible.

Iceland is the best, however. If I had a chance I would give my vote to Yohanna. She deserves the best place.

Although Sakis Rouvas is very talented, his song for ESC sucks. I don't think that he will win. Turkish entry is good, but the performance on stage was terrible. Azerbaijani song is average, predictible; seems like I have heard it 10000 times already; nothing unique. I can confidently say the same for Spain.

Although they say that Turkey, Greece and Azerbaijan are the favorites, I don't believe that they will win. Politics is not enough to get the first place; the songs and the perforamces must be unique. Remember 2008? Ani Lorak's song and performance was the best, but she did not win because there were songs relatively similar to hers. Bilan won because he was different. The Same can be said about Serbian winner of 2007 and Finland entry of 2006!!

I would also be very happy if Patricia Kaas wins. She deserves it!!

So my favorites besides Armenia,

1. Iceland
2. France
3. Norway
4. Greece
5. Spain

If no politics or neighbor voting is involved, this should be the result.


Turquoise Dream [36234]
Wed 13 May 2009 18:55:27

Hadise was complimented on her beauty by a member of the press, who then asked her to mention another artist more beautiful than her in this year's contest.Hadise said there are many beautiful women in the contest and showed armenian sisters :) Peace (L) everyone


Emma Kiernan [52359]
Wed 13 May 2009 18:43:44

@moshe

where did you hear that?


Konstantinos GR [46230]
Wed 13 May 2009 18:21:33

New song and video-clip from the Greek-Swedish goddess Helena Paparizou!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.c(...)ture=player_embedded


Luis Almeida [16966]
Wed 13 May 2009 18:10:40

Good luck to Portugal, to Flôr-de-lis, in the Final.


Moshe Siegel [54371]
Wed 13 May 2009 14:47:39

I am sorry to report that the Norwegian ESC entry ”Fairytale” has been reported and reognized as plagiarism. The song is a copy of ”Detswo” by Russian singer Jura Shatunov.


Adonis Portokalos [55726]
Wed 13 May 2009 14:35:00

Overall we can say that the first semi-final was weak. There were not many good songs. Luckily Turkey and Armenia were in it, otherwise it would have been a disaster. Bosnia was good to. I expected a little more of Sweden, somthing more powerfull. Maybe in the final :)

Good luck to all finalists!


BalkanBoy- -Ady [56643]
Wed 13 May 2009 13:48:40

also the word shown there: tatsui= dance (hmmm. i am romanian but i never heard of such a word)
we say normally, dans= dance


BalkanBoy- -Ady [56643]
Wed 13 May 2009 13:45:59

ROMANIA was wonderful! and Elena sang beautifulyyyy!
The russian hosts were boring!
I liked that introducing theme with miss russia wearing a different haircut, but Romania's was AWFUL!!! Change it PLEASE!!!!
The cameras were not moving right, and didn't caught the majority of good parts!
NR. 22 is just perfect! is actually by date of birth, so i hope it will with good luck for my beautiful country and our representative!

Here is a video: http://www.youtube.c(...)/watch?v=ID_lz0QPU88
(you can see there the horrible haircut! yukkkkk)


ANTI CRISIS BOY [58980]
Wed 13 May 2009 13:42:35

pink tank was horrible


oana maria [57006]
Wed 13 May 2009 12:54:56

Romania !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go Elena!


eurovision2 eurovision22 [55288]
Wed 13 May 2009 12:34:02

HADİSE WİNNERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRR


Scotty E [19238]
Wed 13 May 2009 11:17:33

Last night the camera work was apalling, we want to see the beautiful artists, not the huge stage. Yes Russia we know you have a big stage

I HATE the hosts. Can she talk...at all?? She kept forgetting her lines and as for him, well, least said!

The audience were cold and lots of empty seats, how many REAL esc fans are there?

Russia are the WORST hosts in a long time. Ukraine, Serbia, Latvia, Greece outperformed them very easily


Denis d [56411]
Wed 13 May 2009 08:37:35

ELENA was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! im so glad romania got into the final!!!! 22 is a great entry !!!!! good luck to everyone!!!

http://www.youtube.c(...)feature=channel_page


Any Tar [56833]
Wed 13 May 2009 08:33:26

I like Armenia!!!
Anush Inga! You are the best!!!!!!!!!


IASON COSMAS [58917]
Wed 13 May 2009 08:21:07

The audience was the coldest in years...


sabi love [56152]
Wed 13 May 2009 07:46:27

thank you CHIARA!!!


Hrvatska Bosna [58624]
Wed 13 May 2009 04:01:58

I got 9 out of 10...would have loved to see Belarus or Montenegro in Final instead of Israel...I did not like Swiss that much!!!

Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Iceland were just great...


Alex K [51964]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:59:11

Montenegro should have qualified. Portugal should have been kicked out.


Alex K [51964]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:57:38

"what message gave us Russia with military EUROVISION ACT ?! ...and TATU With not gonna get us ?! Did they send clear message to Georgia or all Europe ! "
-- Military choirs are common during Russian public events. It's a part of tradition. I don't believe there was a political message.

Btw, if I understand the TATU lyrics correctly, they are singing about lesbian love. I presume "not gonna get us" refers to those who are against them.


Kush Athens [34162]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:44:30

@ croatia hr

You are right!!!! I didn't even think of that!


Kush Athens [34162]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:43:16

candyman - think about what time it was in russia.

it was 11pm when it started and 1am when it finished! far to late for a family show!


Candyman 12 points [14078]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:28:15

postcards: boring. where's moscow?

empty stadium..disappointment for artists. what the hell russia does? they are millions of inhabitants and they didn't bother attending the show? EBU should do something


CROATIA HR [53114]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:24:08

what message gave us Russia with military EUROVISION ACT ?! ...and TATU With not gonna get us ?! Did they send clear message to Georgia or all Europe !
its scandal ! shame on u Russia and all who let them treat Eurovison for political message
Anyway i whish Portugal,Finland Iceland good luck in Final


Adnan Sobo [45608]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:22:05

The Bistra voda dont have anything with comunnisam.. the red color is color of love.. you have very deep mind...


Lorena Maddy [53568]
Wed 13 May 2009 02:14:31

Elena was amazing even if the sound and the camerawork were awful for her!!!


The list of 49 reactions is divided into 2 pages. Choose a page:
1 | 2

React yourself

Closed for reactions
This news article is older than one week. Reacting to articles is only possible in the first week after publication.

































click here for flight deals

21/Mar/2010

159 visitors online

2 members online

39196 members

65 reactions today

Become a fan

Set as home page!

Search news

Tools


More news

Country pages

Share!

Do you have news for esctoday.com? Please let us know! You can submit your newsitem in our contact centre!


Tip!