Bruno Berberes, head of the French delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest, is reported to have been invited to take part in the second phase of Malta Song for Europe, the Maltese national final 2007 as a judge. As an experienced casting director, he is currently in Malta to listen to the songs and artists that will compete in the selection.
This cooperation might be called a quitefunny one, regarding the fact that the last placed country in Athens seeks the help of the country that finishedthird from last with only four points between them.Trivia: France has done definitely worse than Malta since the televoting was seriously introduced in 1998: While Malta finished second twice, third once and achieved two further top 10 placings, France reached the top only twice with a fourth and a fifth place. All other placings were 14th and lower. Esctoday.com has requested official confirmation that Mr. Berberes has accepted the position, but has yet to receive a reply.
As previously announced, a total of 228 entries were submitted for the Maltasong for Europe Festival 2007, which were be cut down to35 by a panel of judges towards the end of this week. The second phase will be held tomorrow. For the second phase, the song will be performed livein front ofa panel of foreign judges. 14 songs will be chosen for the semi final on 1st February.Six out of them will qualify for the final round on 3rd February.
Malta finished last in the finalof the Eurovision Song Contestin Athens with Fabrizio Faniello's I do. Therefore, they will have to enter the semi final in Helsinki. France reached a 22nd position with Virginie Pouchain performing Il était temps. Nevertheless, France will be directly qualified for the final as part of the 'big 4'.
