Portugal’s history at Eurovision is rather woeful, never managing anything higher than 6^th.  One of the personal highlights of Portuguese entries for me was their song ‘Keep The Dream Alive’, but unfortunately, came 22^nd out of 26.  When the Semi-Final was introduced in 2004, they were favourite to finish last, but despite failing to qualify, Sofi gave a great performance.  2005 saw one of Portugal’s best attempts yet.  They song ‘Amar’ was a great mix of Portuguese and English, but the performers just didn’t pull it off on the night and it all came across a bit of an un-choreographed mess.  Last year saw Portugal enter their biggest girl group, and although they agve a pleasant enough performance, it still wasn't enough and Portugal find themselves in the Semi-Final for a fourth year in a row.

 

 

Oh dear!  What a pile of tripe!!  I don’t know how Portugal manage to come up with a selection where they can name something like this the best song.  It’s not terrible – but like most Portuguese entries, it’s nowhere near being something special or even good.  When Sabrina sang live the whole thing sounded flat – though I do think the song’s catchy and upbeat.  I do think it will be an entertaining one – but moreso one to sit back and enjoy rather than vote for… looks like another year in the Semis in 2008, sorry Portugal – I just don’t understand why you keep choosing people who either can’t sing, can’t dress properly, or that aren’t singing a song that will ever win Eurovision, or even (in some cases) who are lacking in all three of these areas!!

 

 

Sabrina's live performance at the National Final in Portugal was flat as a pancake - so I wouldn't expect big things here.  I'd love to see Portugal win some day soon though, their songs may not be the best but they really are one of the few countries who seem to remember that it's a song contest rather than a dancing/pyrotechnics/gimmicks contest.

 

 

For a fourth year running, Portugal have failed to make it to the Final.

 

 

Despite not qualifying, Portugal was one of the surprise entries this year: everything came together very well indeed, and Sabrina, along with her backing singers and dancers gave a professionally polished performance.  The fans worked very well, giving the backing singers an appropriate presence on stage, the dancers did a great job as well, and the switch between the male dancer dancing with the female dancer and then with Sabrina throughout didn’t seem clunky.  Sabrina sang particularly well, reaching all the notes and not flinching on any, and the language changes seemed to blend into one another as well.  Coming in 11^th place must have been like a mini victory for Portugal after so many years of dismal results.  They had the particularly rare feat of picking up more points than any of their Western counterparts, so this must have struck a chord moreso than the other western entries.  11^th place has to be one of the most frustrating to have to settle for, but Portugal finally gained a respectable placing and surprised many both by putting on a great show and by finishing much higher than anyone expected.  It seems I have had to eat my words on this one as it was much, much better than I had anticipated.  Predicting 26^th-28^th was very wrong of me indeed!