The Dutch delegation organised quite a few parties to promote its 2007 entry. First there was the boat trip for the press, then the Dutch ambassador of Finland invited Edsilia and her team to wish her all the best. This morning a pre-contest party was organised, just before Edsilia took off for her last dress semi-final rehearsal.

The Dutch delegation has taken every opportunity to promote Edsilia Rombley and her song On top of the world. Last Tuesday Edsilia was invited to the Dutch ambassador's residence in Helsinki. Mr. Robert Engels and his wife opened their doors for the complete delegation to wish Edsilia all the best for this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Of course Edsilia took this opportunity to perform a couple of songs. She started with her 1998 entry Hemel en aarde. Then she sang one of her own favorites of her new album Wat heb je nodig (What do you need) which was written for her as a charity song for the people of Congo. Of course, she finished with her 2007 entry On top of the world, which was very well received by the guests. After her performance, she handed the cd single to the Dutch ambassador.

This morning, a pre-contest party was organised for Edsilia to wish her all the best for tonights semi final. Amongst the guests were Edsilia's mother and sister, Trijntje Oosterhuis (a famous Dutch singer in The Netherlands and Edsilia's sister in law) and Gerard Dielessen (Chief of the Dutch broadcaster NOS). Gerard Dielessen made clear that he was very happy with this year's Dutch entry. Besides that, he also pointed out that The Netherlands won't withdraw from the contest in the future. We'll go on for another 50 years, he said. However, he stated that the contest has changed in recent years. It has become more trendy and more modern. That's why we have to follow this example. The Netherlands can't ignore these developments. He ended his elucidation by toasting on Edsilia.

There was a small surprise as well for Edsilia. It appears that the biggest Finnish newspaper, Ilta Sanomat, published an article about last nights dress rehearsals. They consider The Netherlands to be one of the most likely candidates for a spot in the final, together with Andorra, Latvia, Belarus, Switzerland and Denmark. This news was received with a big applause from the complete Dutch delegation. After that, Edsilia took off to prepare for her last dress rehearsal.