Last week was the biggest so far when it comes to the national final season of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest with ten shows being held in nine countries. Let's take a look back on what has happened all over Europe.
Belarus
Already on Monday, Belarus selected its representative for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. From the remaining four acts, Ruslan Alenkho was the favourite of the jury and he will go to Belgrade with his disco pop song Hasta la vista. He has already promoted his entry in the Montenigrin national final on Sunday.
Malta
The semi final and the final of Malta Song for Europe where held on Thursday and Saturday repsectively. From the semi final, eight songs went forward to the grand final. There were two singers who reached the final with both their entries and they were also very succesful in the final: Claudia Faniello finished third and second with Sunrise and Caravaggio while Morenawas chosen torepresent her country with the up-tempo pop song Vodka. It is mainly in English but also contains, which is a premiere for Malta, some words in Russian.
Norway
The third and last semi final was held in Norway with another six music acts competing and we could see some more and some less surprising results at the end of the show. The acts predicted first and last according to the betting odds – King of Trolls and Torstein Sødal went directly to the final. Early favourite Lene Alexandra only got a ticket for the second chance round and so did Ole Ivars who was seen second last. Avalanche and Maria Trøen are eliminated for good.
Bulgaria
The Bulgarian semi final was held on Saturday. Unfortunately for many fans, the webcast was not working so that only few people could watch how nine of the 18 participants were chosen to go forward to the national final on 23rd February. The three wildcards entries in the national final were presented for the first time, the line-up for the final is now complete.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic debuted in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki and only finished last with one point. The selection procedure in 2008 should be the same again nevertheless and Eurosong 2008 was held on Saturday. Tereza Kerndlová, who had to perform second, was the winner of tha national final and goes to the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade with her entry Have some fun. The placings of the other entries were not revealed.
Lithuania
The third and last semi final was held in Lithuania. Auguste, Mini Me, Nerri and Pokeris won the final four tickets for the national final on 2nd February where they will join the eight qualifiers from the other two heats and Aiste Pilvelyte and Julija Girma, who were directly qualified for the national final.
Iceland
The second semi final was held in Iceland. Davíð Þorsteinn Olgeirsson and Baggalútur were chosen by televoting to proceed to the national final on 23rd February. Bjartur Guðjónsson's entry The girl in the golden dress was eliminated.
Belgium
Another mammoth selection was kicked off on Sunday: Belgium's Eurosong. From the five competing acts, Brahim and Katy Satyn were chosen by televoting to go forward to the semi finals. The third and fourth placed entries are in the running to get one of the jury wildcards. Eva Darche is the singer whose entry is eliminated for good.
Montenegro
In Montenegrosong 2008, the country's second representative in the Eurovision Song Contest was chosen: Stefan Filipović, who had already taken part in the national final in 2007. His song will be known by 15th March.
