The German national final for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is about to take place. You can watch the webcast by following the link below.

WEBCAST(The webcast link is in the right corner on top of the page)

This article will be constantly updated.

The show has started! Thomas Hermanns welcomes the audience by telling them that the hunting for the "biggest music prize in Europe" has started!

As always, the running order was not announced before the show but it appears to be the following:

1. Marquess
2. Tommy Reeve
3. Cinema Bizarre
4. Carolin Fortenbacher
5. No Angels

We start with a medley of three Eurovision Song Contest winners: Ruslana performs Wild dances, her winning entry for Ukraine in 2004. She has new outfit – black and red, the colours of hell! All acts sing live tonight and we already have to hear the first sound problems. Charlotte Perelli, who is currently taking part in Swedish Melodifestivalen, performs her 1999 winning song Take me to your heaven. During the rehearsals her 4-year-old son was sitting in the front row and actually felt asleep during his mommy's performance – which was probably no criticism of Charlotte's qualities as a performer. Marija Serifofic now performs her winning song Molitva, which is the reason why we will go to Belgrade in May. In Helsinki, she has received eight points from Germany.

The five supportets of the five competing acts are introduced: comedian Kim Fisher, comedian Tetje Mierendorf, comedian Oliver Pocher, singer Katja Ebsteinand news anchor Marc Bator. The five now try to convince the audience to vote for them but seem not to take it much too serious – especially Oliver Pocher who has just insulted Marija Serifovic calling her a "fat playmobil man". So far, it seems like Carolin Fortenbacher gets the most applause. Host Thomas Hermanny performs his very own versionof Hold me now, Johnny Logan's winner in 1987. Kim Fisher sing Poupée de cire, poupée de son which won in 1965 by France Gall for Luxembourg. Marc Bator's favourite is Fly on the wings of love. Katja Ebstein performs Waterloo and does a good job although she obviously does not know the lyrics. We forgive her. Oliver Pocher, who is the only one who laughs about his jokes, said that his favourite was Everybody by the Backstreet Boys followed by Wadde hadde dudde da and Can't wait until tonight.

After a recap of 2007 and preview for 2008, we will start with the first song.

1. Marquess – La histeria
(music and lyrics by Christian Fleps, Dominik Decker, Marco Heggen, Sascha Pierro)

"Histeria, senoritas / La primera dirección de party con razón / Claro que si / Por aqui toda la gente non son differente / Claro que si"

The first song ever in a German national final that it entirely performed in Spanish and the song is typical holiday/summer/beach pop. The lyrics have already been heavily critisised both for various grammatical mistakes and the rather chauvinistic content. The song is undeniably catchy but probably a bit too much in the style of Vayamos companeros, their only big hit so far, but nevertheless it is a dark horse tonight as it has been heavily promoted on the private TV channels Pro7 and Sat1. The performance, illustrated by some coloured light bulbs and a beach scene on the screen in the background, is kept simple but works will with the song. Spain has not done very well in the contest lately, ususually even worse than Germany, so it should not be the best choice for Belgrade. The vocals are a bit flat.

After their performance, their supporter Oliver Pocher is a bit ironic again calling it a "bit too complex". Lead singer Sascha Pierro says that he was more nervervous then he thought he would be.

2. Tommy Reeve – Just one woman
(music and lyrics by Jamie Hartmann, Tommy Lee James, Lee Ryan)

"Just one woman / I need in my life / Just one woman / I want by my side / Just one woman / And she said goodbye / I realised / What I am / I'm a one woman man"

Tommy Reeve, who appears to be shirtless a lot at home, is number two. He is the least favourite to win tonight according to the various polls in the internet and by some newspapers. He performs his ballad, a hymn to the perfect woman and monogamous relationships, while sitting on the piano. The four background singers are no obvious part of the show and actually kept in the background. The song has no high recognition value and although it is performed flawlessly, it is hard to believe that this would score well in Belgrade. The white jacket makes the whole performance seem a bit too classy, not to say boring.

After his performance, Kim Fisher sings his praise – she needs a doctor because it was sooooo emotional. Thomas Hermanns highlights that the song is difficult to sing, something "we need in Eurosivion".

3. Cinema Bizarre – Forever or never
(music and lyrics by Remee and Thomas Troelsen)

"I'm for something mysrical, histerical / Dark, intesive, sexual / I'm gonna live forever / Said I'm gonna live forever / Better make it now or never / Ever, ever"

This is probably the most anticipated entry tonight. The band delivers a less spectacular performance than expected but ithas fireworks and a gas explosion at the end, which stands out in this national final but is probably about to become a standard in the Eurovision Song Contest. The vocals are, regarding the fact that the lead singer is suffering from a cold, far from flawless, maybe also beacuse ofthe lack of experience with live performances. The Manga style mixed with glam rock seems a bit synthetic as it has already been made popular by the commercially by far more succesful band Tokio Hotel. The song might not be the most original one ever written but could stand out in Belgrade as no similar song has been chosen this year yet.

Tetja Mierendorf is obviously a huge fan of the band he supports. It is also highlighted again that the lead singer is ill and actually not supposed to sing at all.

3. Carolin Fortenbacher – Hinterm Ozean (Beyond the ocean)
(music by Pe Werner and Peter Koobs, lyrics by Pe Werner)

"What should be wrong with me? / The regards on your picture postcard from overseas / Could be longer / I don’t know if and when I will see you again / I am alone"

From the five entries tonight it is probably the one that is most authentically German, and not only because it is performed in German. The ballad is dramatic, a tad old-fashioned but still ageless. Given the singer's experience as a live performer, it's no surprise that the vocals are flawless and Carolin Fortenbacher manages to show her emotions in an authentic way. The performance, which include a stormy sea shown in the background works perfectly with the song and even the windmachine, which was a bit overused in the 2008 national final season, seems to have been a good choice. It has already been stated that if this song wins tonight, it may be performed in English in Belgrade as Far beyond the sea.

5. No Angels – Disappear
(music and lyrics by Remee, Hanne Sorvaag, Thomas Troelsen)

"Everything's been off since you went away / And time just broke the promise to ease the pain / Cause I need you here / And it's just not fair / That it won't get better / Why did you disappear"

The No Angels are the biggest stars in the national final but their participation has caused less media attention than expected. The song and the performance seem a bit too synthetic, especially because of the high voices and the uniform outfits. There are four windmachines, one for every singer, and they seem pretty unnecessary even if very Eurovision like. The performance is very professional and so is the song, which is catchy although the chorus could stand out a bit more. Nevertheless, it is highly likely that this song will do well in the German single charts.

Marc Bator says that the performance was heavenly although they want to be no angels.

After some interviews in the green room, the 2007 German representative Roger Cicero now enters the stage. Although he only finished 19th, he get standing ovations – that should take the pressure off of the singers! He performs hi own entry Frauen regiern die Welt.

The lines are closed. To the super final go: Carolin Fortenbacher and No Angels.

Now it's time to honour Katja Ebstein, who reresented Germany three times in the Eurovision Song Contest. They talk a bit about her performances in 1970, 1971 and 1980. In 1980, she was second and she says that Johnny Logan, the winner, told her: "Katja, I'm so sorry but I need the money!". Now the guests of the show perform a medley of her songs: Diese Welt, Wunder gibt es immer wieder and Theater.

The lines are closed.

The No Angels will represent Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.