A little bit of history...
Malta are one of my favourite Eurovision participants - I look forward to hearing their always enjoyable entries each
year. The last few years have have seen highs and lows (and even bits in between!) for Malta. They always have
benifited from being able to use their native english in their entries throughout their career at Eurovision, but this doesn't
matter, considering the free language rule has been introduced. They saw a disappointing result in 1999 but bounced
back in 2000, 2001 and topped their best ever in 2002 with 2nd place. Unfortunately, 2003 saw a strange turn of fortunes
when they finished one from the bottom. Interestingly, in 2002, Latvia held 1st place, Malta took 2nd and the UK took
3rd, in 2003, UK were bottom, Malta were next up and then Latvia. 2004 saw Malta in the Semi Final, where they then
qualified and gained directb entry to the 2005 Final. The come-back of Chiara was a good move - she placed second and
Malta find themselves directly entered to the 2006 Final again.
Singer & Song
Fabrizio Faniello I Do
Due to their success with the return of Chiara last yera, Malta have chosen to send another former Eurovision participant
- Fabrizio Faniello from 2001. Fabrizio is a very pretty boy and is sure to give a sound performance. The song,
'I Do' is a lovely slice of cheesey Europop, which has gone down well with the fans online. I do have doubts regarding
the strangth of the Maltese entry. While it bops along nicely and is an entertaining track, I'm just not sure if it
will stand out.
Prediction
17th-21st in Final
I don't think the Maltese entry will fare very well. They had something nice n catchy but inoffensive in 2003 and it
failed to pick up many points. I really like the track but I just don't think it's a powerful enough song to stand out
among it's competitors in the Final and coming through from the Semi-Final. There's an outside chance this could still
make the top ten, but I doubt it, solely due to the competition.
Prediction after Semi-Final
9th-11th in Final
I've had a change of opinion on this one. I think Fabrizio will give a sound performance of a genuine pop song.
It's nothing flash, scary, over performed, or ambiguous. It's a simple pop song that I think stands every chance of
making the top ten, putting Malta through.
Review of the Eurovision Performance
Oh Malta! What did you do?! After having watched the performance, one could safely have suggested that this wasn't going
to fare well at all... I actually wouldn't have been surprised to see this muster no points at all never mind just one!
The performance from Malta was absolutely diabolical - and certainly didn't shine out as it should have amongst all those
dur first performances. Fabrizio didn't sound on form at all and it was far from being memorable - at least, far from
being memorable for being any good. While he wasn't out of key he certainly could have sung it better - maybe in the
same octave as the actual song. And as for those backing singers, well, let's just say it wasn't entirely Fabrizio's
fault. Malta always try so hard, and it's a shame to see them do so badly - especially after last years very deserved
2nd place. But this really wasn't anything special and it turns out that had I have stuck with my initial prediction
I would have been alot closer. As I said, Malta really need a corker if they're to impress at Eurovision - cuz they
have zippo number of neighbours, and unfortunately nice and easy going just won't win it for them - they need a belter of
a song that's memorable, abd have already proved this. So, as for my prediction, I was well wrong, but I hope you do
better next year Malta... see you in the Semi!
