since 1998 - The Maltese no.1 in Eurovision information
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This section was last updated, Thursday, May 24, 2001 09:25 PM
PBS deny 2002 Contest rumors
The Public Broadcasting Service have laughed off rumors that they will host next year's Eurovision Song Contest if Estonian TV fails to host it. The following is reported on eurosong.net
<<< Winning the 2001 ESC was a very proud moment not only for Tanel Padar and Dave Benton, but for Estonian television (ETV) also. It means that ETV have first refusal to host next year's song contest. Already suggestions have been made that the likely venue would be the Saku Suurhall, just outside Tallinn.
However, it seems that there are problems. ETV have never hosted - let alone
financed anything quite like this before, and it is uncertain as to whether or
not they will be able to find the money for it. The government has promised
37,000,000 Estonian Kroons, but ETV's director general Aare Urm says that
this is still not enough.
They would dearly love to host the Contest but unfortunately it's all a matter
of money at the end of the day.
The European Broadcasting Union require confirmation from ETV that they will host the event, before 31st May. If Estonian TV say that they are unable to host, PBS Malta have offered to do the job! >>>
Dear Whoever started spreading this news, just keep this in mind. The blokes at PBS have nightmares each year sweating profusely on the possibility of Malta winning the contest. Do you possibly think that they will volunteer to host the festival just two weeks after having breathed a huge sigh of relief !
C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S E S T O N I A !!
Estonia have surprisingly won the Eurovision Song Contest. They hardly deserve it, but Europe seemed determined to give it to them. Anyway, Malta obtained a Top Ten placing for the umpteenth time just overtaking Lithuania at the last moment to 9th place. Thanks Denmark for the 12 points ! The United Kingdom disappointed again, but the shock result is Ireland's. They are relegated, and the once Kings of Eurovision will not participate next year. How the mighty have fallen! More news soon.
Monday
- Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday
- Friday - Saturday
Fabrizio feeling ‘at home’ in Copenhagen
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Nineteen-year old heart throb Fabrizio
Faniello, accompanied by Mr Bonnici and the rest of the Maltese ESC
delegation, arrived in the Danish capital Copenhagen yesterday
afternoon. M O N D A Y 5.30 pm The first rehearsals have just been completed and the first twelve countries have now performed for the first time on the Parken stage. Sweden's performance has so far been the most impressive with Norway a close second. Fabrizio Faniello will perform his first rehearsal tomorrow. We will keep you posted with the latest news.
(Left)
Michelle, the Dutch singer on stage. (Right) The Parken stage. M O N D A Y 7.30 pm
Charlo Bonnici, Head of the Maltese delegation together with Jorgen Ramskov, Project Chief of the Contest and EBU coordinator Christine Marchal-Ortiz (courtesy of songcontest.com)
Natasje Crone and Soren Pilmark, the presenters of the Eurovision Song Contest (courtesy of oneurope.co.uk) Here is a report from eurobosnia.com: << OK, I made it here finally, totally shattered as I didn't manage to get to bed last night, but being the trooper I am, I struggled up to Parken for the rehearsals! Now I missed the first four countries, but I've enquired around as to how they went and this is the potted lowdown. NETHERLANDS Apparently Michelle had an excellent rehearsal and her voice was very strong. She's not going to be dressed as a mermaid, but she is still doing the floor routine from the national final. She has a new outfit, but one that is not too different from the one she wore before. Those who liked the song before rate its chances of doing well even higher. ICELAND Another excellent rehearsal, the boys are looking good, but not winners apparently. BOSNIA Nino sang well, but even those who love the song fear for its chances. The preview video was the backdrop to his performance. (All the songs will have a moving background on screens behind them. The set itself isn't very exciting live, but translates excellently to the small screen). NORWAY Contrary to previous reports about Haldor, I heard only positive things about his rehearsal. He has had his hair highlighted which makes him look less dark and moody, while the set lighting is much brighter than it was in Norway and lifts the song. Haldor is reputedly in very fine voice indeed and is seen as a dark horse. Now for the rehearsals I've seen: ISRAEL Well if you like choreography, this is the song for you! From the beginning of the song, Tal and his group strut around the stage in various formations, and I personally find the effect distracting and comical. It seems like a pastiche of every Israeli routine since the year dot. Tal sang well, and hit the final note perfectly. I have always liked this song, but seeing it here, it began to feel like a long three minutes if I'm honest. It is still a very nice song, but there is something missing> Maybe if he just stood still and sang it, it might help. RUSSIA I was very afraid of what the live performace of this song would be like. Actually it wasn't at all bad. The lead singer of Mumiy Troll doesn't have a good voice at all, but ther is something appealing in a Pet Sop Boys type of way, which may endear him to a few. Also, without the '80s make-up, clothes (he wore jeans and a denim jacket) and hairstyle - he is not a bad looking chap at all, and had a hint of David Cassidy about him. It's still early days, but this might surprise a few people. SWEDEN This is probably going to be the one to beat. The girls sang very well indeed, improving with every performance. I think they are still somewhat lacking in the charisma department and seem uncomforable with their choreography, which isn't very different to the MF performance. A couple of times they stumbled over the lyrics, missing out words. Their background is a permanently moving train, which made me think of Abba's video The Day Before You Came. I'm sure this not an accident. The people I was sitting with were convinced that this will be a runaway winner, I can't see it - not on this evidence, but they won't be far away from the winner either. LITHUANIA This could be this year's Latvia. Erica Jennings doesn't have the strongest of voices, which you notice especially coming after the Swedish girls - but she has charm in bucketfuls, and is a very fine figure of a girl - she's this year's Ines, but with smiles! The backing group have toned it right down and content themselves with wearing brightly coloured curly wigs. Erica got better vocally with every performance (they all get to sing four times). Not remotely a winner, but one to watch. LATVIA As I write this Latvia have just finished their second performance. This is a strong candidate for last place in my opinion. At the moment Arnis and his backing group are all over the place vocally and the whole effect is a total mess. Not even cheeky charm will save him if they don't get their act together soon. Away from the rehearsals, I stumbled across
Denmark's Rollo & King having their photo taken by a million
photographers. I cheekily joined them with my pathetic little camera, but
managed to have a chat with Signe their backing singer. Readers, I am in
love! What a lovely woman! So charming and unassuming. She looked worried
when I told her I had put my money on them. OK, I'm sure I'm getting on your nerves now, but I can't help it - this place is great! More from Planet Eurovision later if you can stand it! :) >> Fabrizio Faniello was on stage today for the first time in the Parken stadium. His first rehearsal attracted some positive comments and some negative ones too.
Fabrizio Faniello, the Maltese singer flanked by the Danish dancers, from left; Gry Trampedach, Bianca Moe, Bettina Moller and Gigi Freddy Petersem. (courtesy of Y2K) Report from oneurope.co.uk reporter << This was very very good. Fabrizio and his bevy of dancers strutting their funky stuff on the stage. Dressed in red he paraded his funky stuff. The song is growing on me more and more every time I hear it. It will be swamped by the other songs I fear >> Report from eurobosnia.com reporter << Malta: Well a lot of people thought that this song had some winning possibilities, but I will be brutally frank and tell you - it hasn't a prayer. Fabrizio gives a secure and polished vocal performance, but the choreography is the worst I think I have ever seen in the history of the contest. It is hysterically funny though, so you will at least be entertained. Bunny hops backwards are a big feature. Ocean waves, palm trees, stars and dreams that never die are all perfectly brought to life in hand movements. Fabrizio has four female backing singer/dancers - two of them are wearing shiny hula skirts on top of their regular clothes, so expect some funky clothing to match the choreography. Agadoo and Black Lace eat your heart out! Fabrizio has managed to get control of his eyebrows and is now more or less a blond. I was wondering how I could describe this rehearsal in a way that wouldn't upset the Maltese - that is an impossible task. Sorry guys but you'll have to wait at least another year for your first win. >> Report from songcontest.nl reporter <<
The Maltese rehearsal was eventually good. Although I don’t have the
impression that the boy is not always keeping the tune. But the Maltese
have provided their song with an choreographic act.>> It's difficult to choose whom to believe. But the eurobosnia.com reporter's comments are in my opinion, a bit harsh, even though I haven't seen Fabrizio's performance. Here is the official report from the official website following the Maltese press conference: << Up and coming
star Fabrizio Faniellio, who represents Malta was met with roaring
applause by the press. He's only 20 years old, but he's already a known
face in Malta. He's been in the national song contest twice before - the
first time at 16, and again last year, when he came in at second place. Apart from Malta, the last twelve countries took their turns to perform their first rehearsals. Greece and Portugal were singled out for their good performances.
An impressive shot of the stage in the Parken stadium (courtesy of oneurope.co.uk)
Lindsay D., the UK singer (courtesy of oneurope.co.uk)
The first twelve countries who will participate on Saturday have had their second rehearsals today. Here is the report from Eurobosnia. << Slovene party on Tuesday... I had a long chat with Lucia, the author of Energy, and they are now worrying about whether they can get the Danes to give them some pyrotechnics and how much it will cost. I more than suspect that they are not going to happen now. It would have been nice, but really it would be the cherry on top of the cake, and the cake is already very tasty without the cherry! Nusa was amazing, she was belting out song after song with such a powerful voice - I worried that she would have a voice lft by Saturday if she carries on at this rate! She just loves to sing, and I think it is the thrill of a lifetime for her to be so much the centre of attention. She really wasn't expecting it when she arrived - she said she knew that people would like the song, but not to such an extent! Nusa is from a very small town in Slovenia, and after winning the EMA, there was a brass band waiting for her when she got home, which up to then had been her biggest thrill! I met her husband, who is as tall as she is tiny - they are such a cute couple. She also has too small children who are at home with their grandparents. Tanel from Estonia and Sedat from Turkey were there, but they kept a very low profile. Sedat seemed a very friendly chap indeed. Not many other of the acts actually went to the party. I think that Piasek and Natasha St Pier are just staying at the hotel and didn't show up for the fun. After the party ended I had a quick chat with Gary from Ireland, who is indeed a very nice chap (from Artane in Dublin so it was to be expected! :))) ). He seems very happy just to be there - the Irish are also keeping a very low profile as they did in Stockholm last year, but there isn't the aura of quiet confidence that they had then. He is very happy with the backing singers, and on the night he is going for a smart-casual look. I also spoked to Raymond Smyth, the author of Millennium of Love, who said that his tip for first place was France, but he was very surprised to hear that she was singing the end in English. Oh, and one other small thing, I heard that my interview with Danish TV news did make a small item on the news last night. All I can say is that no-one has recognised me today! :))) And that was it. This morning I took a tourist sightseeing bus around Copenhagen. It is a very, very beautiful city, and I would recommend it highly to anyone even when there isn't a Eurovision being held there!:)) The rehearsals start at two, and I'll try to keep you posted, but today is the beginning of the national parties - Iceland, Germany, the Netherlands all have parties to my knowledge and there well may be more - I'll do my best to bring you a taste of everything! The second rehearsal begin and a bit more info on the staging. Above the stage (which look more like a big rock festival stage than a Eurovision one) are a huge set of lights which are formed like a representation of the Danish ESC logo at the beginning and which break up to make a different formation for each song - it's all very abstract though, don't expect pretty patterns or any thing, but it's very effective. Behind the stage is a large rectangular screen on which a differnt image is displaed for each song. At each side of the large screen are two smaller square screens, and beside each one of these there is a screen for the audience. As for the graphics, they are very good this year. Nothing fancy, a which square in the bottom left hand corner has the national flag on it, while a turquoise/aquamarine strip across the screen has the song name and the authors on it. Eas to read, modern and effective. The name of the country does remain on screen throughout the performance as in the last few years. The postcards seem to be a quirky look at how a typical native of that country is - so far we've had a pretty girl on a bike from the Netherlands, and a fat bearded man who goes swimming in the sea. Please don't be insulted if I have interpreted the meaning of these postcards wrongly! :) And so to the songs... ICELAND Before coming here, I thought this was a real dark horse. I don't think so any longer. They give a great vocal performance, but the singer doesn't really have enough charm to ensure that people will remember him at the end of all the songs. They have two dancing girls who detract from, rather than add to the song. On the other hand, they are including a lot of shots of where the audience will be, and this song will get them going I'm sure, so there may be a bit of *Olsen effect*, but I would be surprised if there will be enough to put them near the very top of the leaderboard. All the same, a very nice song. BOSNIA Nino looks like he could do with borrowing the Icelandic guys backing dancers. He seems very alone on that stage, his backing singers being quite far away from him. The psychadelic background is very in keeping with the style of the song, and Nino gives a very good vocal performance. It's superficial, but I think his dress sense and especially his sunglasses are very off-putting, but maybe he won't wear the shades on the night. There's not much else that Nino needs to do to improve his chances, the rest is just up to the taste of the televoters. NORWAY Haldor is as alone on the stage as Nino, but of course that is in keeping with the song's subject. However I think that more imaginative camera work is going on than with the Bosnian entry (they need to be a bit harsher with the director IMHO). He is being circled by the camera and they are taking some effective long shots. Haldor has been holding back and not going for the big notes at all in the first two performances, and then half-went for them in the third. He looks better as a blond, but he is still pulling those scary faces that I personally think will put a lot of people off. What he sings he sings well, and I have no doubt that on the big night - or maybe in the later rehearsals, he will nail those big notes. ISRAEL It looks like Tal is wearing his ESC outfit. It is a midnight blue suit, with a collarless top underneath. The trousers are very flared, and he does look kind of strange in them, a bit like Donny Osmond circa 1975. The backing group are dressed to match, and look fab. Still lots of choreography, but after seeing Malta, they now look understated! :) Tal sings fine, a little bit shaky on the final note, but not very much. It's hard to see this song doing very well now, but there is nothing wrong with it at all. RUSSIA Mumiy Troll weren't as good as in the first rehearsal. The performance is VERY static, it's hard to see how they are going to get the crowd going. It's a shame, because there is something about the song I just love. SWEDEN not as good a rehearsal as on Monday either, and there have been a few choreography problems. At one point Kim (the dark one) has to get from the piano and pass Nina quickly to catch a quick camera change and she missed it badly - it was very funny and you could see that she thought so too! Kim is Friends' best asset in my opinion, she has such a likeable face, and is a good contrast to the rather cold Nina. Vocally they are fine, bar a couple of stumbles, but they do not radiate the energy that is contained in the melody. As the song builds to a climax, the camera cuts to the audience, who will be going wild, but the contrast when you get back to the stiff performance will show it up I think. I still don't see this as winner, but what do I know? LITHUANIA as good as ever, but will the voters like it? Have to dash - my bus awaits! :))) I've arrived back at Parken accompanied by the fair Anneli, just in time to catch Vanna's last rehearsal. She was wearing the outfit that I think she will be wearing on the big night. A Beige/Pink trouser suit with an unusual cut - she looks very nice in it. She gave a very nice performance, although still not going for it completely (clever girl). I think I've seen enough to predict that it won't be Zagreb 2001, she will do very well, but she lacks the punch of Slovenia's Nusa and the universal appeal of Denmark - but before anyone gets cross, these are just my opinions - I am not Nostradamus! :) PORTUGAL very professional, confident performers, they sound great. I am getting snow-blindness from the dazzle off the coloured guy's suit - they should find him a different outfit to wear - you can take this ebony and ivory motif a tad too far you know! I couldn't begin to know how this will do - there's nothing wrong with it at all, but I'm not sure that it will have people jumping off their sofas to televote for it either. That's it for today, it's Tivoli party time now, see you tomorrow! >> Tomorrow, Thursday, Fabrizio will have his second rehearsal.
Two Tricky, the Icelandic performers. (courtesy of oneurope.co.uk)
Natasha St.Pier, the French singer (courtesy of Y2K)
Fabrizio Faniello with the Danish dancers (courtesy of eurobosnia.com) Malta (together with the last twelve countries in singing order) performed its second rehearsal today. This is the official report from the second press conference of the Maltese contingent: << Fabrizio Faniello singing
the Maltese entry this year is multi-talented. He has played football with
the national maltese footballteam, he has been
Only hours away from the contest, there are high expectations throughout Europe that this year's Eurovision will be one of the best ever. With 35,000 yelling their heads off in a packed Parken stadium, it will be a splendid and unique atmosphere. Today, Malta had its dress rehearsal. Fabrizio seems to have polished up his act and his dancing has, according to reports, improved. He also said that he will wear a cross round his neck.
Fabrizio Faniello during the Friday dress rehearsal The following is the daily report from eurobosnia.com: << Hi again, well everyone is in for a treat tomorrow night. Just about everyone is looking and sounding great. These are my impressions of the show with my rough predictions for the finishing positions: The Contest opens with some filmed fireworks and the Olsens walking on stage to sing a small part of FOTWOL. They then sing their new single Walk Right Back (it's only OK and I'm impatient for the show to really get on the road, but the crowd will love it I guess.) Natasha and Soren are introduced and come on stage, he in a black suit, she absolutely stunning in a Grace Kelly-esque powder pink ballgown. She looks a millions dollars. A very short and sweet intro follows. The songs: Netherlands - she has a midnight blue trouser suit. Her hair and make-up are great and she gives an excellent performance.My prediction: 13th-18th Iceland: They look great, one in his Liam Gallagher fancy dress, the other in a white leather bomber jacket. The girl dancers look good and dance better than before. They sound great, fresh and fun. Prediction: 12-17 Bosnia: Nino's dressed in a wine coloured shirt and trousers and a bright orange jacket, a black headscarf and sunglasses. Still a very solitary performance. He sings well but he doesn't project much personality. Prediction: Bottom three (unfortunately) Norway: Haldor is well dressed in a beige t-shirt and trousers with an open white shirt. He looks as good as they will ever get him I think. Backing singers look great in beige and blue jeans. Great vocal performace, he really nails the song. Still pulling faces, this is the first big performance of the night and could be a dark horse, but i honestly think he's on too early. Prediction: 5-8 Israel: Slick performace, the choreography is very well done. They are all dressed in black now. The song is delivered very well, it is hard to see how they could improve on it. The rest is up to the voters. Prediction: 7-12 Russia: Ilya is dressed in a tight black top and snakeskin trousers. He looks good. Still a very static performance, but a personable one. His vocals will never be great but he was OK today. Prediction: Bottom 7 We go back at this point to Natasha and Soren who tell us about the live internet coverage. Sweden: Nina (the blonde one) is dressed in a burgundy leather suit with a beige top, while Kim is in a beige leather top which really makes her look busty, and burgundy leather trousers. Vocally they sound even more like Abba than they did in the earlier rehearsals and they both sounded good. They looked a bit nervous, and their movements were better than before. I'm sure that this will go very big in the stadium, but I still don't see this as a winner. Prediction: 4-6 Lithuania: Erica looks great in a gold shiny outfit. She is so slim. The band all look great, even the clowns in the coloured wigs. A polished look, a great vocal performance. This might do well if the audience react well to it. Prediction: 8-14 Latvia: Arnis looks very cool in what seems to be a black Armani suit, with a white top and sunglasses. Vocally, this was his best performance so far. He just might be this year's Guildo Horn! Prediction: Anything between 10 and 23! Croatia: Vanna looks gorgeous, her hair (she's had it cut here I think) and make-up are great, and her beige suit really suits her. She has got her figure back but doesn't move any more than when she was pregnant! Still great vocals and the big ending should ensure that this does reasonably well. Prediction: 6-10 Portugal: Black and white suits again (at least 2 sizes too big!). The backing group look great in matching monochrome. A very secure and confident performance, I still fear for its chances. Prediction: Bottom 3 Ireland: Gary looks as good as he's going to in a grey suit with a white open-necked shirt. He sings very well too. The flame effect in the background adds to the song, and the whole thing is as professionally done as last year. The song however is not as anthemic and is going to get lost big time, there are better ballads coming up as well as some very strong up-tempo numbers. We are in real danger of relegation. Prediction: An optimistic 12, a pessimistic 18. Back to Soren and Natasha - she has changed into a silver catsuit. They show of the trophy (and look like they are getting ready for the obligatory host joke!) Spain: He's is a black shirt and black leather trousers. He looks good, sounds great. This will go huge in the stadium as well. Prediction: 3-5, but could go closer. France: As predicted, she wore her first dress,
as rusty red colour, which is too close to the colour of her hair and does
her no favours. Her hair could also do with being tidied up in my opinion!
She gave her worst vocal performance of the week so far (better to get it
out of the way in the rehearsal!). She still sounded reasonable good
though. I'm not as sure as I was about its chances of winning. Turkey: He really has the best male voice of the contest, better even than Haldor in my opinion. He looks good, surrounded by pretty female musicians dressed in gold. The English part sounds like something from Les Miserables. I really hope that he does well, he deserves it, but I'm nervous for his chances. Prediction: 15-23 UK : Linday is dressed in a red top with a black tracksuit. Her hair is a bit of a mess. (Someone should shoot her stylist). She gave her best performance of the week so far, held the last note and was only a bit wobbly in other parts. There is still no hiding that this song is a struggle for her however. Prediction: 8-12 Back to Natasha and Soren for another gag. Slovenia: I've got to tell you this - she waved right at me when she came out on stage (ask Anneli! :) ). She is dressed in a yellow and black leather trousered number that makes her look busty, but not in a cheap way. Her hair and make-up were graet and her performance was as good as ever. They've added a shot of her on the big screen behind her towards the end of the song, which I'm sure will look great on TV. Prediction: 1-2 Poland: Piasek comes out in a womble-type hairy coat, which he soon removes to reveal a black t-shirt and greay tousers. He seems to favour designer stubble and I still can't see his appeal. However, he performs well and has an energetic backing group. Prediction: 8-14 Germany: She looks gorgeous in a pink beaded dress. She also sounds great, her voice is maybe a touch deeper than before. Prediction: 3-6 Estonia: Dave is in a black suit with a cerise shirt. Tanel is in a light blue shirt and black trouers. He wears sunglasses, and has a very stupid-looking spiky hairstyle. The backing group's choreography is very reminiscent of Eden who sang for Israel in '99, but with added gymnastics and breakdancing. A slick performance, bound to go big in the stadium. Prediction: 6-10 Malta: Fabrizio wears a tight red top and black trousers. He looks good, as do the backing dancers, who have now abandoned the hula skirts! This might still do well, despite the choreography and his awful hip-wiggling. Prediction: 8-14 Greece: She is the looker of the contest. Dressed in a white catsuit, her hair and make-up are perfection. With her hair pile up with a hairpiece and falling long down her back, she reminds me of Julia Roberts at this year's Oscars. A confident, charismatic performance, she sounds very good indeed. Prediction: 3-5 Denmark: Their best performance so far, and they were excellent before, so you can imagine. The guys seem less dull and Signe is a vision in lilac. They exude friendliness and likeabilty and the song is as catchy as they come. Just wait for the crowd reaction! :) Prediction: 1-2 In brief, I think that Slovenia and Denmark have bagged the top two places - the order just has to be decided. France, Spain and Greece are battling it out for 3rd to 4th places, but any one of them might just pull off a shock win. I will try to give you a brief note to let you know how the audience react in the public rehearsal, but if I don't manage it, I'll say bye from here, as I go back to London for my own little Eurovision party. Thank you for all the positive comments, but actually doing this has been a lot of fun for me. I hope you all have a wonderful evening tomorrow, wherever you are watching, and remember - it's just a song contest and we are all friends here. If your country loses, they will always have another chance in a year or two! >> Best of luck to Fabrizio and the Maltese Contingent !!
Fabrizio Faniello gave an excellent performance for Malta but a win looks very unlikely due to the sheer high quality of a couple of songs; namely, France and Denmark. While Aqua are strutting their stuff, we the Maltese people, let's cross our fingers altogether.
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