The Portugese National Final has kicked off for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest live from Lisbon. 10 acts will attempt to represent Portugal in May.

WEBCAST

You can watch the showvia RTP1, RTS Internacional, orvia the webcast available here.

Live coverage by Nina Pinto.

If esctoday.com crashes due to server capacity, you can visit the eurovision.tv livelog here until the site comes back.

The Portugese National final has started with dancers on stage with african music, followed by classic, then tango, samba, rap and hiphop.

The host Silvia Alberto now is on stage.

She is welcoming everyone to the 44th edition of Festival da Canção and urging people to vote.

We now see clips of rehearsals.

She now explains something different in the televoting,Portuguese people who watch RTP internacional in France, Switzerland, Germany and Spain can also vote!!!

We now begin with the entries:

Song 01 – EM ÁGUA E SAL – Marco Rodrigues

It's a somber ballad with a bit of a fado mood. Dressed in navy/black suit Marco is now joined by a woman playing a violin in the background, 2 female drummers and a male guitarist. The portuguese guitar is the main element of this song.

Song 02 – CAVALEIRO DA MANHÃ – Carluz Belo

This song is about all the portuguese roots spread around theworld. It talks about the Africa and Brazil and the strong connections with Portugal. Dressed in grey trousers, yellow t-shirt and grey waistcoat, Carluz is joined on stage by a female dancer dressed in white, a bag piper and 3 backing singers in African dress and tone. The song is very African in tone.

Song 03 – POR TI PORTUGAL – Big Hit

A boyband with female drummer. It's a song about Portugal. 4 guys in black suits with 2 drummers dressed in leopard skin trousers. They sing about the sea, the fado (ethnic Portugese sound as to Irish people with Celtic style music) and what is it to be Portuguese.

Host: Silvia is again asking ppl to vote and saying the voting is already open…

Song 04 – PORTO DE ENCONTRO – Lisboa não Sejas Francesa

This is a song about the sea. It's a mix of pop with etcnic and fado song. Set with a drummist, accordianist, Portugese guitarist, and a guy with a keyboard.

Song 05 – SENHORA DO MAR – Vânia Fernandes

It's a Sad love song, about a lost love that was taken by the sea, a fisherman (her love) who died on the sea. Vania is dressed in a long black dress and is joined on stage dressed all in white by 3 female and 2 male dancers. The song is a typical portuguese ballad.

Song 06 – DO OUTRO LADO DA VIDA – Vanessa

A typical love song. This song was about the end of a relationship and the good memories that remain. Dressed in a red dress Vanessa is joined by 5 male backing opera singers dressed in black suits. Very operatic song in style. Some audience members are on their feet applauding when it finishes.

Host is back reminding us of the voting details…

Song 07 – CANÇÃO POP – Ricardo Soler

It's a typical pop song. The song is about a broken Heart. Ricardo dressed in a black suit, is joined on stage by a male saxaphonist, guitarist, a pianist and 2 female backing singers all dressed in black. Very upbeat song.

Song 08 – OBRIGATÓRIO TER – Alex Smith

Alex looks very alike to Sakis Rouvas (host from Eurovision 2006 and greek representative in Eurovision 2004.) This song is an anthem to life and happiness. Dressed in a white suit Alex is joined by 3 femaale dancers dressed in green and white, also 2 male dancers dressed in white shirt and trousers. Very Eurovision pop style song, some of the audience are on their feet clapping.

Host is back again explaining voting procedures…

Song 09 – O PODER DA MENSAGEM – Tucha

This song uses the power of the voice (as a message). Tucha is dressed in a long broght yellow dress. She is then joined on stage by 2 male and 2 female dancers. Also there is a female backing vocalist in the background. The song is a message saying that if we belive we can make a difference.

Song 10 – MAGICANTASTICAMENTE – Blá Blá Blá

This is a song that takes us back to the 1960's, very retro. It's a funny song, about magic. Everyone is dressed in 1960's style clothing. The group are joined by 2 female backing singers. The stage lighting is very colourful.

Host now informs of the voting procedure and all songs are now being recapped.We are reminded Portuguese people who watch RTP internacional in France, Switzerland, Germany and Spain can also vote!!!

Commercial break.

After the commercials that was just 2 or 3 minutes, the host is speaking with the composers of the songs a few minutes and then there will be a medley of Eurovision Song Contest songs by all singers. In 25 minutes or so we will have the results she says.

Recap of all songs and voting numbers.

Eurovision Song Contest medley: Waterloo, Making your Mind up, Hold Me Now, Non ho L'eta, Ne partez pas sans moi, Puppet on a string, L'oiseau et l'enfant, Apres toi, Everyway That I can, My Number One, J'aime la Vie, Save your Kisses for Me and Hallelujah.

2 minutes left to vote…

Recap of songs

30 seconds left to vote…

VOTING LINES NOW CLOSED.

Sabrina (last years Portugese representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007) is on stage and will show a video about her performance in Helsinki.

She bringing an envelope with the 3 most voted songs, and another envelope with the winner.

3 most voted songs are:

Song 01 – EM ÁGUA E SAL – Marco Rodrigues
Song 05 – SENHORA DO MAR – Vânia Fernandes
Song 08 – OBRIGATÓRIO TER – Alex Smith

In 3rd place: Song 01 – EM ÁGUA E SAL – Marco Rodrigues
In 2nd place: Song 08 – OBRIGATÓRIO TER – Alex Smith
In 1st place: Song 05 – SENHORA DO MAR – Vânia Fernandes

Winner: Song 05 – SENHORA DO MAR – Vânia Fernandes