Martijn

🇪🇪 Road To Malmö: Estonia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Estonia. 5miinust 5miinust is a popular hip hop group from Võsu, Estonia, established in 2015. The group initially consisted of Estoni Kohver, Päevakoer, Põhja-Korea, and Lancelot, with Venelane joining later. Venelane left the group in 2023, returning it to its original lineup. They first gained major attention in 2018 after their albums “Aasta plaat” and “Rämmar” became top sellers. Their 2019 collaboration with Nublu, “Aluspükse,” topped the Eesti Tipp-40 chart for six weeks. Signed to Universal Music Group’s Baltic branch, they’ve produced multiple number-one singles. 5miinust has won several Estonian Music Awards, including Artist of the Year twice. Recently, they won Eesti Laul 2024, earning the chance to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Puuluup Puuluup is an Estonian nu-folk duo formed in 2014 by Ramo Teder and Marko Veisson. Known for their innovative use of the hiiu kannel (a traditional stringed instrument) and loopers, they create a unique sound. They began their music journey with the release of “Süüta mu lumi” in 2018, followed by “Kasekesed / Kasekäpa” in 2020, and “Viimane suusataja” in 2021. In 2023, Puuluup teamed up with hip hop group 5miinust for Eesti Laul 2024, Estonia’s national selection for Eurovision. Their entry won the competition, earning them the chance to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Eesti Laul Eesti Laul, previously named Eurolaul, is the Estonian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, 15 songs competed in a semifinal. 5 of them headed to the final, where 5 other songs were added. Former participant Laura Põldvere participated in the semifinal but didn’t make it to the final. Ollie, 5miinust & Puuluup and Nele-Liis Vaiksoo competed in a superfinal, where televoters decided for 5miinust and Puuluup to win with the song “(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi“. Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest The debut of Estonia came in 1993, when Janika Sillamaa participated in the Eastern European preselection Kvalifikacija Za Millstreet. The country failed to qualify, but Estonia had a song in the 1994 contest. So far, Estonia won only one time: in 2001 with Tanel Padar and Dave Benton and their song “Everybody”. The year before, Ines was 4th with “Once in a lifetime”. The year after, Sahlene was 3rd with “Runaway”. Those were the three times that Estonia made it to the top-5. Last year, Alika did well with an 8th place. The Bookmakers Currently, the Estonian song is 21st in the betting odds to win the contest. In the odds for the semifinal, Estonia has a 9th place. So at this moment it is likely for Estonia to qualify for the final. The Song And this is the song:

🇧🇪 Road To Malmö: Belgium

photo: RTBf We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Belgium. Mustii Mustii, also known as Thomas Mustin, is a talented Belgian singer and actor born in Brussels in 1990. He studied theater at the Institut des Arts de Diffusion in Louvain-la-Neuve, finishing his studies in 2012. Mustii quickly made a name for himself in both acting and music. He started his acting career with a role in the French TV series “À tort ou à raison” and played Benvolio in a production of “Romeo and Juliet” that opened the new Théâtre de Liège. Mustii directed the play “Débris” in Brussels and was involved in “L’Auberge du Cheval-Blanc,” showcasing his versatility. He acted alongside famous actors in the movies “Odd Job” and “Les Survivors,” and in the popular TV series “The Break.” In 2014, Mustii’s music career took off when he signed with Black Gizah Records and released his hit single “The Golden Age.” He was recognized as a major new talent, winning Revelation of the Year at the 2016 D6bels Music Awards. In 2019, he won the Magritte Award for Most Promising Actor and continued to impress with his second album “It’s happening now” in 2022, which included the hit “Skyline.” Excitingly, on August 30, 2023, it was announced that Mustii will represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, promising to showcase his exceptional talents on an international stage. Languages in Belgium Belgium is a fascinating country with a rich linguistic landscape. It officially recognizes three languages: Dutch, French, and German. Dutch is spoken by the majority, particularly in the northern region of Flanders, while French is predominant in the southern part of Wallonia. German, though spoken by a smaller percentage, is primarily used in the eastern part of the country, in the region bordering Germany. This multilingual setup reflects Belgium’s complex history and cultural diversity. Each language area has its own distinct identity and cultural practices, contributing to the country’s unique mosaic. The bilingual capital, Brussels, serves as a melting pot where both Dutch and French are widely used, offering a microcosm of the nation’s linguistic diversity. Belgium’s language divide also extends into its political and educational systems, with separate governance for each linguistic community. This coexistence of languages fosters a vibrant cultural scene, but also presents challenges in terms of national unity and administration. Despite these challenges, Belgium’s multilingualism is a testament to its rich cultural heritage and openness to diversity. With Belgium speaking three languages, Mustii will sing in English. Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Belgian participants were Fud Leclerc and Mony Marc in 1956. Leclerc took part 4 times in total. In one year, the Flemish broadcaster provides the entry, the other year the Wallon broadcaster does. Mustii represents Wallon broadcaster RTBf. One time so far, Belgium won: in 1986 Sandra Kim brought the trophy to Belgium with her song “J’aime la vie”. Jean Vallée (L’amour, ça fait chanter la vie in 1978) and Urban Trad (Sanomi in 2003) reached a 2nd place. In recent years Loïc Nottet (2015) and Blanche (2017) reached a 4th place. Last year, Gustaph was also very succesful with a 7th place with his song “Because of you”. The bookmakers Currently, Belgium is in 8th place in the betting odds to win the contest. In the odds to reach the final, Mustii has a 4th place. A good score for Belgium is likely. The Song And this is the song:

🇬🇪 Road To Malmö: Georgia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Georgia. Nutsa Buzaladze Nutsa Buzaladze is a talented singer-songwriter from Georgia, born on January 28, 1997. She started her music journey when she was just 5 years old by joining a children’s group in Tbilisi, her hometown. Nutsa quickly showed her musical skills by playing in a band, singing, playing the guitar, and even learning piano by the time she was 8. Her big break came in 2011 when she competed in Georgia’s Got Talent, setting the stage for her solo career. Nutsa gained international fame in 2014 by winning at the New Wave Music Festival in Latvia, representing Georgia. Throughout her career, Nutsa has been part of various music contests and worked with famous artists like Hadise. In 2017, her song “White Horses Run” almost won Georgia’s choice for Eurovision. She released her first album, “Nutsa22,” in 2019, featuring popular songs in both Georgian and English. Nutsa continued to impress by participating in music shows around the world, including American Idol in 2023. Recently, on January 12, 2024, it was announced that Nutsa will represent Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Sweden with the song “Firefighter”. The New Wave Music Festival In 2014, Nutsa Buzaladze won the New Wave Music Festival. The New Wave Music Festival in Latvia is a prestigious international contest that showcases the talents of young musicians from around the globe. Held annually in the beautiful city of Jūrmala, the festival has become a launching pad for emerging artists since its inception in 2002. Over the course of several days, participants compete by performing a variety of songs, ranging from national hits to international classics, in front of a panel of esteemed judges and a live audience. The festival is known for its vibrant atmosphere, stunning coastal setting, and the opportunity it provides for young talents to connect with industry professionals. Winners of the New Wave gain significant exposure, opening doors to international careers in music. Besides the competition, the festival features performances by established stars, adding to its allure. Over the years, New Wave has solidified its reputation as a key event in the music calendar, celebrating new talent and the universal language of music. Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest “Firefighter” is the 16th Georgian entry in Eurovision. The country debuted in 2007 with Sopho Galvashi and her “Visionary dream”. The best scoring songs for Georgia were Sofia Nizharadze with “Shine” and Eldrine with “One more day”. Both songs were 9th in the final, Sophia in 2010 and Eldrine in 2011. The last time Georgia reached the final was in 2016 with Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz and their song “Midnight gold”. In 2009 Georgia withdrew: Stephane & 3G won the national selection with the song “We don’t wanna put in”. They had to change the lyrics due to a reference to Vladimir Putin, but they refused to do so. Sophia Nizharadze The Bookmakers Georgia is currently 18th in the odds to win the contest. In the odds to reach the final the country is 10th with 64%, against Denmark with 44% in an 11th place. So if the bookmakers are right, the spell of not reaching the final will be broken. The song And this is the song:

🇸🇲 Road To Malmö: San Marino

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: San Marino Megara Megara is an alternative metal band from Madrid, Spain, that started making music together in 2015. The group has four members: Kenzy sings, Rober plays guitar, Vitti rocks the bass, and Ra Tache keeps the beat on drums. They’re known for playing a unique kind of music they call “fucksia rock” or “fucksia metal,” which is all about mixing different musical styles into their own special blend. They kicked off with their first EP, Muérase quien pueda, in 2015, and kept the hits coming with albums like Siete in 2016 and Aquí estamos todos locos in 2018. They even played at the big Resurrection Fest in 2019! Their latest album, Truco o trato, came out in 2022. In 2023, they tried to represent Spain at Eurovision with their song “Arcadia” but didn’t make it, even though they got to the final of Benidorm Fest. They also got to open for Babymetal in Spain, which is pretty awesome. The band did not give up. They tried for Eurovision again in 2024 with “11:11” and, after not making it in Spain, got picked to represent San Marino! Una Voce Per San Marino A total of 126 (!!!) songs competed in the San Marinese national final Una Voce Per San Marino. In 5 long semifinals, half of the 16 finalists were chosen. In another competition, the San Marino Sessions, an extra song was chosen. The songs in this competition were al written by AI. The winner, Dana Gillespie with her song “The last polar bear”, reached a 7th place in the final. Eight established artists also competed in the final. Among them Jalisse, who represented Italy in the 1997 contest, and Loredana Berté. The latter was the favourite to win the competition. However, she did not. She ended up in 2nd place behind Megara. San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest The country debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 with the Italian group Miodio. San Marino often (not always!) selects artists from other countries. Even American rapper Flo Rida represented the country. There are also many artists who take part for the country more than once, like Senhit, Valentina Monetta and Serhat. With a 19th place in the final, Serhat was the best scoring artist for San Marino so far with his song “Say Na Na Na”. Serhat, photo: EBU/Thomas Hanses The Bookmakers The odds for winning the Eurovision Song Contest are currently not too positive about Megara: they give them a last place. In the odds to make it to the final, the country has a 13th place. A job has to be done by Megara to convince the jury and televoter and prove the odds to be wrong. The Song And this is the song:

🇪🇸 Road To Malmö: Spain

photo: EBU We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Spain. Nebulossa Nebulossa is a lively electropop duo from Ondara, Spain, made up of singer María “Mery” Bas and keyboardist Mark Dasousa. They started making music together in 2018 after bumping into each other in an elevator, which shows sometimes amazing things happen by chance! Their name, Nebulossa, comes from their fascination with nebulae and also nods to the Valencian language with its unique spelling. They first caught everyone’s attention with their EP “Ufo” in 2019 and have been dazzling us with hit songs like “La Colmena” and “Océano de Palabras” since then. By 2021, they were really making waves with their album “Poliédrica de mí.” They even grew to a trio when Ophelia Alibrando joined in 2022, and tried to represent San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest. Although they didn’t make it that year, their spirit never faded. In 2024, they took Benidorm Fest by storm with their song “Zorra,” winning their way to represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Benidorm Fest Since 2022, the Spanish entry is chosen via Benidorm Fest. There has been a contest in Benidorm in the past, from 1958 to 2007, but it has never been the national final for Eurovision. How different that was with the return of Benidorm Fest in 2022!Two semifinals with eight songs each and a final, also with eight songs, made up the contest. The songs were chosen by an expert jury, a demoscopic jury and televoters. While the expert jury prefered St. Pedro, the other two chose Nebulossa. In the end, the latter won the contest. Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest It was Conchita Bautista who brought Spain to Eurovision in 1961 with her song “Estando contigo”. The song “Zorra” is the 63rd Spanish entry. Two times in a row a victory was there: in 1968 Massiel got the trophy with her song “La la la” and a year later, Salomé did the job with her “Vivo cantando”. In the years, Spain didn’t win anymore but came close to it. “Eres tu” by Mocedades was 2nd in 1973 and became a Eurovision classic. It was until the very last moment in 1979 that Betty Missiego could be the winner with her “Su canción”. In recent years, Spain was 3rd in the contest with Chanel’s “SloMo”. Salomé wearing a porcelain dress The Bookmakers Spain is placed directly in the final. That means there are no betting odds for any semifinal. Currently, Spain is 23rd in the odds to win the contest. However, that might change completely when the rehearsals start. The song And this is the song:

🇱🇻 Road To Malmö: Latvia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Latvia. Dons Artūrs Šingirejs, famously known as Dons, is a celebrated Latvian singer and songwriter born on April 10, 1984. From his humble beginnings on a reality show in 2003, Dons quickly rose to fame, releasing eight solo albums and winning numerous awards. His music has captivated audiences, earning him five Song of the Year awards at the Latvijas Radio’s Muzikālās Banka and two Best Pop Album titles for his works “Varanasi” (2014) and “Tūrists” (2020). His album “Lelle” (2008) was acclaimed as the Best Rock Album, and “Signāls” (2013) was nominated for Best Pop-Rock Album. Dons has also made notable attempts to represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest, finally securing his chance in 2024 with the English single “Hollow.” Beginning his career with a duet album after participating in Talantu Fabrikā, Dons has explored his musical talents in both English and Latvian, solidifying his place as a significant figure in Latvian music. Supernova Since 2015, the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in Latvia is called Supernova. This year, it started with a semifinal. Out of 15 songs, 10 were chosen to participate in the final. A jury and televoters selected the song together; both had Dons as their favourite. Among the participants was one former Eurovision singer: Agnese Rakovska, who was the singer of Triana Park. The group represented Latvia in 2017. Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest Latvia entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000. The band Brainstorm debuted with a 3rd place with the song “My star”. It didn’t take long before the country won. In 2002, Marie N took the trophy to Latvia with her song “I wanna”. In 2005, it was time for top-5 again with Walters & Kazha. The last few years, Latvia seems to have lost it. The last time, the country reached the final, was in 2016. No less than six entries didn’t make it to the final. Let’s hope Dons is gonna change that. Marie N The Bookmakers Currently, Latvia is 22nd in the odds for winning the Eurovision Song Contest. Not bad! However, in the odds for surviving the 2nd semifinal, the country has a 12th place. Let’s hope for a place in the final for Latvia, finally. The song And this is the song:

🇦🇲 Road To Malmö: Armenia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Armenia. Ladaniva Ladaniva is a special band from Lille, France, known for its unique world music. The group was created by Zhaklin Baghdasaryan and Louis Thomas. Zhaklin was born in Armenia in 1997 and moved to France in 2014. She’s been singing since she was a kid. Louis, born in Lille in 1987, comes from a family of musicians and is a talented jazz artist. They met in 2018 during a music session in Lille and formed Ladaniva in 2019. Their music is inspired by sounds from around the world, like the Balkans, Maloya, and Armenian traditions. The name “Ladaniva” comes from an old Russian car, the Lada Niva. They became popular during the 2020 lockdown with videos that got a lot of love online. In 2023, they put out their first album with [PIAS]. Armenian Language The Armenian language is a unique and ancient language spoken by millions of people, mainly in Armenia and in communities around the world. It’s part of the Indo-European family, which means it’s distantly related to languages like English, Spanish, and Russian, but it stands out because it has its own branch in this family tree. Armenian has its own alphabet, invented by a scholar named Mesrop Mashtots in the 5th century. This was a big deal because it helped preserve the country’s culture and literature. Armenian is split into two main types: Eastern Armenian, which is spoken in Armenia, and Western Armenian, used by Armenians in other countries. Even though it’s old, Armenian is very much alive, changing over time and used in books, music, and on the internet. It’s a language with a rich history, connecting people to their heritage and to each other. Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest Ladaniva provides the 16th Armenian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. They started participating in 2006, when André represented the country. “Without your love” was an instant success with an 8th place in the Eurovision final. Armenia reached the top-5 twice, both with a 4th place. In 2008 it was Sirusho‘s “Qele Qele”, in 2014 Aram mp3‘s “Not alone”. The latter was the number 1 at the bookmakers for a long time. We can not speak about Armenian Eurovision history without mentioning Rosa Linn and her “Snap”. In the Grand Final of 2022 she reached a 20th place only. Thanks to TikTok “Snap” became a worldwide hit and one of the most viewed Eurovision songs ever. The Bookmakers Currently, Armenia is 17th in the odds to win the Eurovision Song Contest. The country is 5th in the odds to reach the final this year. Conclusion: it is safe to say that Armenia might do well in the contest again. The Song And this is the song:

🇩🇰 Road To Malmö: Denmark

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Denmark. Saba Saba, whose real name is Anna Saba Lykke Oehlenschlæger, is a singer, actor, and model from Denmark. She and her twin sister were adopted from Ethiopia when they were just eight months old and grew up in a place called Ringkøbing in Denmark. Saba has had a challenging journey; she shared that she has bipolar I disorder and has been in the hospital many times until 2020. She talked about these struggles in a documentary called “My Insane Twin.” She also works to help others as an ambassador for the Danish Depression Association. Saba left high school early and moved to Copenhagen with her sister. She started working as a model and in the teeth whitening business. Her sister chose singing and musical theater. Saba’s big moment in acting came in 2023 when she played Dionne in the musical “Hair,” taking over for her sister who was pregnant. In 2024, Saba’s music career took off when she won a big competition in Denmark with her song “Sand.” This win means she will represent Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest, a huge international music competition. Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Since the first moment Denmark took part in the Eurovision Song Contest, Melodi Grand Prix was the national final. In Denmark, it’s almost always a one evening event. This year, eight contestants competed. Among them, former Eurovision participant Basim. In a superfinal with three songs, jury and televoter chose the winner. Saba was the favourite of the jury, while Basim was the televoter’s winner. Overall, Saba had the highest amount of points. Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest Denmark debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Skibet skal sejle i nat”, sung by Birthe Wilke and Gustav Winckler. The duo ended the song with a long and passionate kiss. So many years later, that kiss is still the talk of the town. The first Danish victory came in 1963 with Grethe and Jørgen Ingmann and their “Dansevise”. Denmark quit the contest after 1966, unsatisfied with the blockvoting. They only returned in 1978, and despite high scores, they had to wait until 2000. The Olsen Brothers won the contest with the song “Fly on the wings of love”. A third victory followed in 2013 with Emmelie De Forrest‘s “Only teardrops”. It’s already since 2019 that Denmark reached the final, so there is a task for Saba. The Bookmakers Currently, Saba is no. 25 in the odds for the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. For the semifinal, her song “Sand” has an 11th place. That means it’s gonna be exciting for Denmark according to the bookmakers. The song And this is the song:

🇦🇹 Road To Malmö: Austria

photo: ORF We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Austria. Kaleen Kaleen, whose real name is Marie-Sophie Kreissl, was born in 1994 in Austria. She loves dancing, choreographing dances, and singing. Even when she was very young, she enjoyed watching music shows and dancing in her living room. She started learning ballet when she was a little girl and soon learned many other types of dance like jazz, tap, and even Latin dances. Kaleen was really good at dancing from the start. She won her first big dance competition when she was just seven years old. Over the years, she won more than 100 competitions in Austria and Europe, and she even won five world championships. That’s a lot of wins! In 2018, Kaleen started working with the Eurovision Song Contest. She first joined as a stand-in lead artist and choreographer, helping to create dances for the show. Kaleen is also very talented in music. In 2021, she released her very first song that she made all by herself, and in 2023, she put out her first album called “Stripping Feelings.” Kaleen didn’t stop there. By 2021, she became the creative director for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for Spain and Bulgaria. She was in charge of the stage for the 2022 contest in Spain and helped Austria, Armenia, Germany, and Georgia with their performances for the contest in Liverpool in 2023. On January 16, 2024, it was announced that Kaleen will be the one to represent Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest. She has come a long way from dancing in her living room to performing on one of the biggest music stages in the world! How Austria selects a song ÖRF (Österreichischer Rundfunk) does not have a tradition of national finals. The majority of the Austrian entries have been selected internally. The first time the Austrian song was selected by a national final was in 1981, but still Marty Brem was the only contestant. A year later, the first national final, with 12 competitors, was a fact. The last time was in 2016.One national final we cannot deny was the one of 1990; the contest was won by the duo Duett, singing “Das Beste”. Half way through the performance, Duett-singer Monika fainted and fell on the floor. Duett was allowed to sing the song again, and guess what: they won. However, the song already competed in a German semifinal 2 years before and was disqualified for that. In the end it was Simone who represented the country with “Keine Mauern mehr”. Duett, with Monika who fainted during her performance. Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest It was Bob Martin who brought Austria to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957. After two failed attempts, Udo Jürgens won the trophy in 1966 with “Merci Cherie”. The country took several breaks, had some top-5 positions but finally won again in 2014, when Conchita Wurst presented her “Rise like a Phoenix”. Conchita brought Austria on the map again. Already 4 years later, César Sampson won the jury vote. His “Nobody but you” became 3rd overall. Conchita Wurst; Albin Olsson, Wikimedia Commons The Bookmakers A new success for Austria is a serious option: Kaleen is currently 10th in the betting odds for Eurovision win. In the odds for making it through the final, she has an 8th place. Conclusion: as soon as she is in the final, she will make it there. The song This is the song:

🇫🇷 Road to Malmö: France

photo: EBU We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: France. Slimane Slimane Nebchi, widely known as Slimane, is a celebrated French-Algerian singer and songwriter. Born on October 13, 1989, in Chelles, Seine-et-Marne, Slimane’s music is deeply enriched by his Algerian roots, blending diverse cultural influences. He gained fame through his participation in music competitions, notably winning “The Voice: la plus belle voix” in 2016 with 33% of the public vote at age 26. Before this triumph, Slimane had been sharing his compositions online, including notable pieces like “Toi et moi” and the duet “Amour Impossible” with Princesse Sofia. Post-“The Voice,” he released his debut album and several singles, quickly becoming a key figure in the French music scene. Besides his recording achievements, Slimane has taken on roles in musicals, including “Marie-Antoinette et le Chevalier de Maison-Rouge.” His career reached a new milestone when he was chosen to represent France at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Mon Amour” in November 2023. A French winner…. or not? France won the contest in 1991, and yet they did not. France and Sweden ended up with a tie. Even the amount of twelves was the same. Sweden won because of a higher amount of tens. Amina Annabi, often just called Amina, is a famous singer from Tunisia who also grew up in France. She sings, acts, and has been making music for a long time. Amina is special because she mixes music from Tunisia with music from France and other places, making her songs interesting and different. Her Eurovision song became the most famous of her songs: “Le Dernier qui a parlé” which means “The Last One to Speak.” The song “Le Dernier qui a parlé” is really catchy and talks about how important it is to talk and understand each other to make peace. Amina’s beautiful singing and the mix of traditional and modern music made this song stand out. It did really well in the competition and almost won, coming in second place by just one point. The song became a hit single in various countries. France in the Eurovision Song Contest As said, France almost won in 1991. That would have been the 6th victory. The row of French victories started in 1958, when André Claveau won with the song “Dors mon amour”. Two years later, the trophy went to France again, this time thanks to Jacqueline Boyer and her “Tom Pillibi”. Again two years later, Isabelle Aubret did the job singing “Un premier amour”. In 1969, Frida Boccara‘s “Un jour un enfant” was one of the four winners. The last time so far France won was in 1977, with Marie Myriam holding the trophy thanks to her “L’oiseau et l’enfant”. In the last few years France is less succesful, except a few highlights. We have to mention Barbara Pravi in this; she was the runner up in 2021, but her “Voila” became a hit and a Eurovision classic. Marie Myriam The Bookmakers As France will be placed directly in the final, there are no betting odds about reaching the final. In the odds to win the contest, France is currently 7th. That would mean one of the better scores for France in the last few years. The song And this is the song: