While most of Europe vividly discuss the preparations to the Eurovision Song Contest
next year, Russia doesn't seem to be sure about the choice made by its broadcaster Channel One this year.

According to the Russian national newspaper IZVESTIA, the variant that a Ukrainian group or singer should represent Russia at this contest was seriously discussed as the rating of their popularity in the country has grown considerably lately. In the end, Julia Savicheva from Saint-Petersburg, the finalist of the Fabric of Stars television show, was entrusted with this responsibility. It caused a surge of criticism, which doesn't seem to come to an end. While the girl is very young and talented and the media critics beleive in her brilliant career, only few of them tend to regard the result of her performance as an “honourable place”. Most of them after the last year's entry t.A.T.u. are inclined to beleive it is a total failure. The plausible reasons are said to lie in the created image and the song itself. The prevailing opinion is that there was nothing in the song and the performance that could make people remember it.

“I am ready for the victory as well as for the defeat”, said Julia in her press-conference few days before the final. “Beleive me, every participant of the Eurovision Song Contest is already the winner.” Though the girl hasn't signed any important contracts yet, Russia did “beleive” her and now she is warmly accepted along with the recognized Russian stars at different culture events that have recently taken place in Saint-Petersburg and Nizhni Novgorod.