A few days ago, we could enjoy the first “big” national final weekend in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest season. Six shows in total were held all over Europe – from Cyprus to Iceland. For those who missed some of the shows, here is a review on what happened.

Norway

The first semi final of Norway's Melodi Grand Prix was held in Stavanger. From the six presented songs, the televoters decided that they wanted to see the ballads Am I supposed to love again by Veronica Akselsen and Ándagasii by Ann-Mari Anderson in the national final. The latter entry is the first song sung in the Sami native language thattakes partin the national final. The Tinkerbells and Podium will compete in the "last chance" round with their entries Hold on and Lystgass while Michelle, who was one of the favourites among the esctoday.com readers according to the reactions and Nicholas Carlie, the favourite in the hall regarding the applause were eliminated.

• You can read the esctoday.com interview with the finalists here.
• You can watch the show again here.
• You can order the MGP CD here (€ 17.95 + postage).
• You can order other Norway-related Eurovision Song Contest material here.

Cyprus

The Cypriot national final was held on Saturday. Evdokia Kadi and her song Femme fatalewon the national final with 104 points, only four points ahead of Eurovision Song Contest veteran Marlain Angelidou. The show was also a special moment for esctoday.com as Cyprus' 2007 entrant Evridiki was awarded with her award as Best act not to qualify from the semi final you voted for! Furthermore, the winners of the Best dressed and Worst dressed awards were presented during the show.

• You can watch Evridiki receiving her award here.
• You can watch the winning performance of Evdokia Kadi here.

Denmark

Another nordic country has kicked of its selection: the first semi final of the Dansk Melodi Grand Priy 2008 was held. Unite, Amin Jensen, Ann-Marie & Claus Hassings and Charlie have reached the national final to be held on 2nd February. Nevertheless, the other four acts that have not qualified don't have to worry at all since they are going to entre the second chance round to be held on Danish radio. Last year, the later winner DQ had to qualify through the second chance.

• You can read the esctoday.com live coverage with comments from the green room here.
• You can pre-order your official Denmark Melodi Grand Prix CD through our partner store, CDON.com now for €17.95 here.
• Click here to purchase other Danish Eurovision Song Contest related material.

Lithuania

Lithuania has kicked of its search for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest (this year, the national selection seems to be less complicated than in recent years!) with twelve music acts performing one song each. After a very long show, Jeronimas Milius, Vilma Voroblevaite, Justas Lapatinskas and Laiptai qualified for the national final on 2nd February where they will join Aiste Pilvelyte and Julija & Girma, who already have a fix place in the final.

• You can read the esctoday.com live coverage here.

Switzerland

The Swiss entry Era stupendo by Paolo Meneguzzi was presented for the first time during the SwissAwards show on Saturday. The Italian ballad was very well received by the readers of esctoday.com.

• You can watch the song presentation here.

Iceland

After no less than eleven quarter finals, the second chance round in Laugardagslögin was held. From the three competing songs, the televoters chose the song Hvar ertu nú? by Dr. Spock instead of the ballads Boys and perfume and Bigger shoes. The winning composer Dr. Gunni was the only composer of the nine invited by RÚV that had no entry among the final twelve. The song joins the other eleven entries already chosen for the four semi finals to start this Saturday.

• You can find the line-up of the four semi finals here

New esctoday.com feature

• You can read more here.

Stay tuned for a preview on what will happen this weekend.