Tie-Break, the male trio which won this year's Austrian national final song.null.vier, will be the one representing their country in Istanbul for sure. A last-minute lawsuit of the runners-up Waterloo & Robinson was rejected by the court this Wednesday.
Song Contest veterans Waterloo & Robinson, who came fifth in 1976, were the runners-up in this year's Austrian final. They complained that the winner song Du bist was eight seconds longer than allowed and thus must be disqualified. After ORF did not react to their complaints, they filed a lawsuit to prevent Tie-Break representing Austria in Istanbul.
This was however rejected by the court for formal reasons, as it was not proven that Waterloo & Robinson automatically would have gone to Istanbul instead of Tie-Break, had the trio been disqualified. The veteran duo announced to lodge an appeal. “But a possible participation at the Song Contest in Istanbul is of course done for us now, and as fair rivals we wish Tie-Break the best of luck from all our heart”, they said.
