esctoday.com predict that there will be 43 countries competiting to win the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. Despite claims that San Marino will withdraw, esctoday.com firmly believes that the tiny country will participate at the competition, to be held in the largest country in the world. Monaco, Austria, Luxembourg and Italy are set to sit out the competition again.

esctoday.com can confirm that San Marino national broadcaster, SMRTV have applied to enter the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. a few days ago, a rumour was curculated that the country would withdraw from the competition after a poor result in their debut year. The rumour was portrayed as news in some quarters, although never checked with the braodcaster.It hasbeen denied without foundation and San Marino is set toappear on the list of provisional countries.

Whilst the 'will they won't they' saga continues about which countries will participate at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, it now seems clear that Monaco have not applied to participate at the competition. About one month ago, the Monagasque broadcaster was investigating the possibility of a return to the competition, but it will not occur in 2009.

So, with Georgia withdrawing for political reasons, Slovakia returning and Austria, Italy and Monaco remaining outside the competition, there areno countries set to participate for the first time, 43 countries are left to battle it out to win the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.