OGAE Israel held tonight its biggest annual meeting in Tel Aviv. During the convention, which hosted important Israeli and Dutch guests, the club voted for its favourite entry of the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest.
The meeting in Tel Aviv was opened by a visit of Eddie Butler, Israel's entrant this year. 'I am aware I was not your favourite in this year's Kdam-Eurovision', said Eddie to more than a hundred Eurovision fans who gathered in the convention. 'Despite that, I appreciate your opinions and suggestions which I get daily in e-mails and on various forums. This is part of the reason we made changes in the song's arrangement and stage act', said Butler.
After the warm reception Butler received, came the turn of the Diamodz, Eddie's runner up band in the Kdam-Eurovision. They performed their song Ata Hakohav, which was also selected tonight torepresent Israel the OGAE's Second Chance competition. After this act the crowd was ready to vote, when suddenly the three members of the Dutch group Treble surprisingly walked into the hall, causing a commotion and excitement. The group performed Amambanda and even managed to have pictures with almost each and everyone of the fans… IBA's head of delegation to the Eurovision Song Contest, Mr Yizhak Sonnenshein, was present and congratulated the fans for their support and told about his recent visit in Athens, during the meeting of Heads of Delegations.
Later on the voting on all 36 entries (excluding Israel) indeed took place, and here are the top 10 scoring countries:
- Greece 85 pts.
- Romania 80 pts.
- Belgium 67 pts.
- Germany 66 pts
- Russia 60 pts.
- Sweden 60 pts.
- Iceland 59 pts.
- Finland 49 pts.
- Bosnia Herzegovina 34 pts
- FYR Macedonia 32 pts.
