2019 Country Profiles
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Eurovision Obsession Presents: ESC 2019 Country Profiles Malta Competing Broadcaster: Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Debut: 1971 Best Finish: 2nd place (2002, 2005) Number of Entries: 30 Worst Finish: Last (1971, 1972, 2006) A Brief History: Despite its tiny size and lack of success, Malta is one of the ESC’s most fervent countries. Additionally, an ESC legend, Chiara, hails from Malta; coming in 3rd in her first attempt, 2nd in her second, and bringing Malta to the Final in 2009 after two missed qualifications. Malta returned to the Top Ten in 2013 with pediatrician Gianluca Bezzina. Song Title: Chameleon Performing Artist: Michaela [Michaela Pace] Composer(s): Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, Borislav Milanov, Johan Alkenäs Lyricist(s): Joacim Perrson, Paula Winger, Borislav Milanov, Johan Alkenäs About the Performing Artist: Michaela, who was born in Malta, grew up competing in talent shows in Lithuania and attended the Ultimate Artist Development Program in London. Michaela rose to fame by winning X- Factor and, with it, the right to represent Malta at ESC this year. Semi-Final 2, Song Number 11 Grand Final, Song Number 01 Albania Competing Broadcaster: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSh) Debut: 2004 Best Finish: 4th place (2012) Number of Entries: 16 Worst Finish: 17th place (2008, 2009, 2015) A Brief History: Albania has had moderate success in the Contest, qualifying for the Final more often than not, but ultimately not placing well. Albania achieved its highest ever placing, 4th, in Baku. Song Title: Ktheju Tokës [Return to Your Land] Performing Artist: Jonida Maliqi Composer(s): Eriona Rushiti Lyricist(s): Eriona Rushiti About the Performing Artist: Jonida Maliqi was discovered at the age of five at her music school. She's a singer, musical actress, presentersocial media influencer, television host, and fashion model; well-known throughout Albania. Maliqi is also an advocate for Down syndrome and Semi-Final 2, Song Number 14 Grand Final, Song Number 02 Copyright 2019 Eurovision Obsession Artists' names and information comes from Eurovision.tv *Number of entries includes 2019 **Best and worst finishes only includes Grand Finals Eurovision Obsession Presents: ESC 2019 Country Profiles Czechia Competing Broadcaster: Česká Televize (ČT) Debut: 2007 Best Finish: 6th Place (2018) Number of Entries: 8 Worst Finish: 25th Place (2016) A Brief History: After several attempts and a short break, Czechia finally qualified for its first Grand Final in 2016 with I Stand . Last year, not only did Czechia get its second qualification, but its first-ever Top Ten finish. Song Title: Friend of a Friend Performing Artist: Lake Malawi [Albert Černý, Jeroným Šubrt, Antonín Hrabal] Composer(s): Jan Steinsdoerfer, Maciej Mikolaj Trybulec, Albert Černý Lyricist(s): Jan Steinsdoerfer, Maciej Mikolaj Trybulec, Albert Černý About the Performing Artist: Founded in 2014 by lead singer Černý, Lake Malawi gets name from a Bon Iver song. Lake Malawi has become well- known for being a primary openning act for major artists who come through Prague. They released their first full album, Surrounded by Light , in 2017. Semi-Final 1, Song Number 06 Grand Final, Song Number 03 Germany Competing Broadcaster: Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) Debut: 1956 Best Finish: 1st place (1982, 2010) Number of Entries: 64 Worst Finish: Last (64, 65, 74, 95, 05, 15, 16) A Brief History: Germany is the only country to take part in every single Contest; however, it has only won twice. Though, it has three second-places, five third-places, and 16 other Top Ten finishes. Germany’s missing of the final in 1996 inspired the adoption of the Big Four (now Big Five) rule giving the countries with five largest tv audiences automatic qualification. Song Title: Sister Performing Artist: S!sters [Carlotta Truman and Laurita Kästel] Composer(s): Laurell Barker, Tom Oehler, Marine Kaltenbacher, Thomas Stengaard Lyricist(s): Laurell Barker, Tom Oehler, Marine Kaltenbacher, Thomas Stengaard About the Performing Artist: S!sters is a duo formed for Eurovision. Truman rose to fame at the age of 9, when she was a finalist on Das Supertalent (2008), then was awarded Rock and Pop Prize for Best Singer in Germany (2011), and then was runner-up on the The Voice Kids in 2014. Kästel won Kiddy Contest at age of 10 (2002) and finished 4th on Star Search . She went on to be a backing singer on The Voice and has begun a songwriting career. Voting in Semi-Final 2 Grand Final, Song Number 04 Copyright 2019 Eurovision Obsession Artists' names and information comes from Eurovision.tv *Number of entries includes 2019 **Best and worst finishes only includes Grand Finals Eurovision Obsession Presents: ESC 2019 Country Profiles Russia Competing Broadcaster: Russia-1 Debut: 1994 Best Finish: 1st place (2008) Number of Entries: 23 Worst Finish: 17th place (1995) A Brief History: Russia is one of the most successful countries in the Contest, only failing to qualify twice, 1996 and 2018, and finishing in the Top Ten 12 times, including one win, four 2nd places, and three 3rd places. Song Title: Scream Performing Artist: Sergey Lazarev Composer(s): Philip Kirkorov, Dimitris Kontopoulos Lyricist(s): Sharon Vaughn, Dimitris Kontopoulos About the Performing Artist: After great success in the group Smash!!, Lazarev began his solo career in 2004. He has won various music awards and has many top selling albums - not to mention 3rd place at ESC 2016. He is an accomplished voice actor and owns a small business making pet food. Semi-Final 2, Song Number 13 Grand Final, Song Number 05 Denmark Competing Broadcaster: Dansk Radio (DR) Debut: 1957 Best Finish: 1st place (1963, 2000, 2013) Number of Entries: 48 Worst Finish: Last (2002) A Brief History: The first Danish victory was wrapped in controversy and is the reason why votes are counted prior to their announcement. It's second win was one of the victors with the lowest betting odds. Song Title: Love is Forever Performing Artist: Leonora [Leonora Colmer Jepsen] Composer(s): Lise Cabble, Melanie Wehbe, Emil Lei Lyricist(s): Lise Cabble, Melanie Wehbe, Emil Lei About the Performing Artist: In addition to being a singer and songwriter, Leonora was a national champion junior figure skater. She continues her connection to the ice by training, coaching, and choreographing for many figure skaters. Love is Forever is Leonora's first-ever single. Semi-Final 2, Song Number 07 Grand Final, Song Number 06 Copyright 2019 Eurovision Obsession Artists' names and information comes from Eurovision.tv *Number of entries includes 2019 **Best and worst finishes only includes Grand Finals Eurovision Obsession Presents: ESC 2019 Country Profiles San Marino Competing Broadcaster: Radiotelevisione della Repubblica di San Marino (SMRTV) Debut: 2008 Best Finish: 24th place (2014) Number of Entries: 10 Worst Finish: 24th place (2014) A Brief History: San Marino has only qualified for the Final once, on Valentina Monetta's third (consecutive) attempt in 2014 with the song Maybe . This year marks the return of Serhat, the representative from 2016. Song Title: Say Na Na Na Performing Artist: Serhat [Ahmet Serhat Hacıpaşalıoğlu] Composer(s): Serhat Lyricist(s): Serhat, Mary Susan Applegate About the Performing Artist: Serhat, this year's oldest lead performer at 54, is a singer, actor, producer, and tv host. He hosted and produced Riziko (Turkish Jeopardy!). He is most known for his high energy songs, including his 2016 entry I Didn't Know , which had remixes that charted in various countries, including the US. Semi-Final 1, Song Number 17 Grand Final, Song Number 07 North Macedonia Competing Broadcaster: Makedonska Radio Televizija (MKRT) Debut: 1998 Best Finish: 12th place (2006) Number of Entries: 18 Worst Finish: 19th place (1998, 2002) A Brief History: North Macedonia has a history of being just short of qualifying for the Final; twice it has fallen one place short. It's biggest successes remain 12th place in 2006 and 13th place in 2012. Song Title: Proud Performing Artist: Tamara Todevska Composer(s): Robert Bilbilov, Lazar Cvetkoski, Darko Dimitrov Lyricist(s): Kosta Petrov, Sanja Popovska About the Performing Artist: The child of a music professor and opera singer, Todevska has been a critical and popular success since releasing her debut album in 2005. She represented NMak at ESC is 2008 and backed-up her older sister in 2014. She returns with a song dedicated to two her kids. Semi-Final 2, Song Number 17 Grand Final, Song Number 08 Copyright 2019 Eurovision Obsession Artists' names and information comes from Eurovision.tv *Number of entries includes 2019 **Best and worst finishes only includes Grand Finals Eurovision Obsession Presents: ESC 2019 Country Profiles Sweden Competing Broadcaster: Sveriges Television (STV) 1st place (1974, 1983, 1991, 1999, Debut: 1958 Best Finish: 2012, 2015) Number of Entries: 59 Worst Finish: Last (1963, 1977) A Brief History: Sweden is known for many things, not the least of which being ABBA (1974); Waterloo remains one of the most popular ESC songs ever. Sweden is the only country to win after a tie (1991) and has the highest rated national selection: Melodifestevalen . It has missed only two Finals, 1976 (sat out in fear of winning and having to host) and 2010. Sweden sits second overall with six wins. Song Title: Too Late for Love Performing Artist: John Lundvik Composer(s): John Lundvik, Anderz Wrehov, Andreas Stone Johansson AboutLyricist(s): the Performing Artist:John Lundvik, Lundvikfirst Anderz gained Wrehov, fame Andreasin 2010 when Stone he Johansson wrote the song for the Swedish royal wedding. He's composed songs for tv, sports, and movies, in Europe and the US. He started singing in 2016 when he performed the song for Team Sweden of the Olympics. He also cowrote the song for the UK this year. Semi-Final 2, Song Number 08 Grand Final, Song Number 09 Slovenia Competing Broadcaster: Radiotelevizijia Slovenija (RTV SLO) Debut: 1993 Best Finish: 7th place (1995, 2001) Number of Entries: 25 Worst Finish: 3rd Last (1993, 2003) A Brief History: Slovenia has had few notable entries to the Contest, neither winning nor coming in last in the Final.