As in recent years, when Germany was not too successful in the Eurovision Song Contest the press reacted immediately after this year's “debacle” when the No Angels finished 23rd in the final with only 14 points. However, in general, the press seems a bit less furious in 2008.
BILD, always eager reporting about the Eurovision Song Contest, last year complained about the "East mafia" in the contest, claimed "obvious cheating" and stated that "Germany should withdraw". In 2005, a columnist stated that it was "unfair" that Germany got zero points from so many countries which he because Germany and German people supportmany countries outside the contest- this article was heavily criticised. This year, they state that the contest was "as embarrassing as never before" and that Germany "pays and the others give each other the points". Again, they claimed that the Eastern countries to give each other and said: "Like every year, Bosnia & Herzegovina got 12 points from Croatia, countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia shuffled points onto each other" simply ignoring the fact that it was only the second time Bosnia& Herzegovina got 12 points from Croatia and that Azerbaijan and Armenia gave each other no points at all. Still, the overall reporting is more modest in 2008.
Michael Steppner of focus.de was also not happy with the results but sees it from a different point of view: "Deservedly lost" is the title of his column. He says that the contest in general is already "bad enough" and complained that some clips of earlier Eurovision Song Contest entries were shown during the pre-show of the contest. Furthermore, he claims that Carolin Fortenbacher, who finished second in the national final would have been better for the contest. His general meaning is that the No Angels deserved their last (or third last) place and that the Eurovision Song Contest is a waste of television dues.
In general, the annual complaints Eastern Europe are the main topic in the media. However, the German result seems to have been more expected this year than Texas Lightning's 14th place in Athens and Roger Cicero's 19th place in Helsinki and the press reaction is more modest.
