Macedonia, or FYR Macedonia or Former Yugslav Republic of Macedonia or FYROM (whichever you prefer - but to save any hassle I'm simply calling them 'Macedonia') don't have a great record at Eurovision and before the Semi-Final was introduced, they constantly faced relegation.  What's interesting is their 'success' at Eurovision since the new format has been introduced.  In both 2004 and 2005, Macedonia entered mediocre songs, certainly nothing great nor spectacular - but on both occasions have very narrowly made it through to the final, where they have then finished outside the qualification zone and found themselves back in the Semi-Final.  This year is no exception, but surely they don't have to worry about not qualifying...

 

 

For a change, Macedonia have actually entered a good song, and what seems to be a great choice of performer.  Although she seemed a little lonely on the stage all by herself in the Macedonian selection, Elena gave a convincing performance, which I'm sure will be added to by 18th May.  The song is a catchy one and, considering this is Macedonia, it has gone down very well among the fans.  In any other of the Eurovision contests I would've been surprised to not see this surpass other Macedonian efforts, but this year, due to the competition, I'm not so sure.

 

 

Macedonia are sure to better their track record with this much better song.  I'd say qualification is almost imminent, but the main question is how they will fare in the Final.  If they follow suite, they'll end up with a mid to low teens result, but I suspect this might do slightly better.  A top ten placing isn't really guaranteed, although with a good performance you never know, but I'd expect to see this in the high teens.

 

 

Although better than the previous two Macedonian entries, I think this lacked what it needed on the Semi-Final night to be distinctly better than 'Life' and 'Make My Day'.  Nonetheless, and rather boringly, Macedonia qualified but I don't think they'll do well in the Final.  I'd say a repeat of the previous two performances is on the cards: 14th-16th.

 

 

Well, they've managed to do it three years in a row now - qualify narrowly from the Semi then miss out on a place in the top ten in the Final.  This year however, I think they've achieved the best result they've mustered from they started their Eurovision career.  Coming in at 12th isn't great, but Macedonia certainly deserved their ever so much slightly better result this year, with a much better song than we can usually expect from them.  Elena Risteska looked very well on stage, she was well dressed and looked like she belonged on the stage, singing the particular song she was singing.  On a negative note, some parts of the song looked and sounded a bit silly, but in general the dancers and backing singers did a good job.  Elena gave a surprisingly strong and impressive vocal, but by the end of the song I doubt that many were left stunned or amazed thinking 'Oh my God - where's the number for that one!'.  In the Final they only managed 56 points, 43 of which came from the Balkans: Slovenia 6, Croatia 8, Serbia & Montenegro 8, Switzerland 4, Aremenia 7, Bosnia and Herzegovina 8, Albania 3, Bulgaria 6 and Turkey 6 (Note that only Switzerland is considered Western Europe).  As for my prediction - I got the Semi pretty much spot on but was just out when it came to the Final, so I think that's a close, isn't it?