 |
|
|
Support Scooch!
Download 'Flying The Flag (For You)' at iTunes and help get Scooch back into the UK singles chart!
|
|
|
|
|
About Finland...
|
 top of page
|
|
2004 Result
Points in Semi Final: 51
Position in Semi Final: 14th
Points in Final: Failed to qualify
Position in Final: Failed to qualify
2005 Contest: Must compete in Semi Final
|
top of page
|
|
History (1956 to 2003)
Finland's previous appearances: 37 year(s) out of 48
Years participated: 1961-1969; 1971-1994; 1996; 1998; 2000; 2002
Best result: 6th (1973)
For a country that's participated in Eurovision quite so many times, Finland really does have a dismal record. It has only once reached the heights of 6th place (even then over 30 years ago, in 1973, with the rather silly 'Tom tom tom'), and last managed a top ten placing in 1989. Since 1994, Finland has the distinction of only participating in the even-numbered years (94, 96, 98, 00, 02), having managed to get relegated on every occasion, with its 'highlight' being a 15th place in 1998. Having missed 2003, Finland has to take part in the Semi Final in 2004.
|
top of page
|
|
This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: 1
Position in Final draw: Failed to qualify
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Finnish hopes this year are with Jari Sillanpää, a popular singer in his own country, and the song 'Takes 2 to tango'. Like all their recent efforts, the Finns' entry is performed in English, not that this has helped them much recently. Jari Sillanpää is one of several rather operatic-sounding men in this year's contest, continuing the trend started by Romania's Marcel Pavel in 2002 and Ukraine's Olexandr in 2003. Needless to say, the song sounds rather like it belongs in a West End musical, but this is not necessarily a bad thing - Jari undoubtedly has an excellent voice, and the song itself is Finland's strongest effort for many years, not that that is necessarily difficult. Incredibly, a revamp of the song has managed to make it sound even more camp than before - a bit like Roger Pontare (Sweden 2000) meets the Phantom of the Opera. With the distinction of opening the Semi Final, Finland should certainly provide a lively and memorable start to the contest."
|
top of page
|
|
What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: 3rd to 7th
My prediction for Final: Possible qualifier; 15th to 19th if it does
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Surprisingly, the bookmakers place Finland (with Greece) among the most highly tipped of all the Semi Finalists; in contrast, the Internet fan polls don't seem to rate this song so highly. On the other hand, it's perhaps the kind of song that appeals more to granny than the hardcore fans. I think Finland have a strong chance of qualifying for the Final, but I can't see it challenging for Eurovision victory. While that elusive spot in the top ten is a remote possibility, a finish in the mid to low teens seems more likely."
|
top of page
|
|
What you thought...
Final Poll Ranking: out of 36 ()
(Updated 15 May 2004; change refers to movement over final week)
In the run up to the Contest, over 5,000 visitors to this site voted for their favourite song in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll.
|
top of page
|
|
What actually happened
Jari's appearance was something of a relief following Korhan and Meltem's interminable banter. He gave a spirited and energetic performance, though the song itself came across as a bit of a mess, not helped by a scantily clad couple doing a distracting dance in the background. Equally - and no fault of the Finns - the sound quality throughout was very poor. Many had expected Jari to get through to the Final, me included - in the end, however, the Finnish package just wasn't strong enough to make it through. Hopefully Finland will win Eurovision one day, but on its recent record, it's hard to see it happening any time soon.
In my prediction, I gave Finland a "strong chance" of qualifying for the Final. Looks like I got that one wrong then...
|
top of page
|
|
What the bookies thought...
 | Finland to win: | 15/05/04 (prior to Final) | - |
| | 13/05/04 (after Semi Final) | - |
| | 11/05/04 | 25-1 |
| | 08/05/04 | 20-1 |
| | 06/05/04 | 16-1 |
| | 04/05/04 | 12-1 |
| | 31/04/04 | 12-1 |
| | 24/04/04 | 12-1 |
| | 17/04/04 | 10-1 |
| | 07/04/04 | 12-1 |
| | 24/03/04 | 12-1 |
|
|
After being consistently highly rated by the bookies, Finland's odds dropped off to 25-1 in the days before the Semi Final. Nevertheless, Jari's failure to qualify was still something of a surprise.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
|
top of page
|
|
Links
 http://www.jarisillanpaa.com/
 http://www.yle.fi/eurovision/
|
top of page
|
|
Notes (see 'History' above)
- The 1956 Contest (where each country had two songs) is counted as a single appearance;
- Countries eliminated in the 1993 preliminary heat (EE, HU, RO, SK) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 1996 preliminary heat (DE, DK, HU, IL, MK, RO, RU) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Semi Finals ARE counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest.
|
top of page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your comments (19)
From somebody, FINLAND
Added 19:35:5 2004-5-12
Good luck, onnea Suomi!
From Nikolas, SWITZERLAND
Added 23:52:38 2004-5-7
WWWOOOWW!!!
That is Grand Prix in its purest form!
"Halleluja! I want to see them win the thing.
From Panayotis, GREECE
Added 3:11:39 2004-5-6
Nice song, but it's Jari's voice that makes the difference! Don't think it'll win, but under certain circumstances it can do pretty well. Good luck to Jari Sillanpaa!
From asd, --
Added 17:1:41 2004-5-5
Boooooring. Who cares anyway...
From koray, TURKEY
Added 11:37:5 2004-5-5
I hope that Finland will win and Turkey will give 12 poinnts to Finland, as I love you PIPSA
From --, ISRAEL
Added 7:58:53 2004-5-4
this song sucks!!
From Manu, BELGIUM
Added 18:50:26 2004-5-3
Don't underestimate the power of grannies!!! I guess this song might be the surprise of this year's contest. Although this is not really my cup of tea, this song is not amateurish (like Monaco, Lithuania, Slovenia, Malta ...), boring (like Cyprus, Holland ...) or simply weird to the average listerner's ears (like Israel, Ukraine, Macedonia ...) so that I think it'll achieve great things. Besides Jari is a great performer and he's got a friendly face ... Grannies will go crazy!!!
From Maxo, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 12:44:30 2004-5-1
My favourite song on this year's CD at present! Completely over-the-top - can't wait to see it performed.... This is one that definitely gets you funny looks if you sing along with your Walkman in public.
Good luck, Finland!
From howie, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 12:9:41 2004-4-29
This is why we love the Eurovision - barmy lyrics, about 30 years behind the times - but a good song is a good song, and his voice is pretty impressive. I hope this makes it to the final and improves Finland's undeservedly dismal record. Harp and horn, music's born!!!
From ziv, IRELAND
Added 6:58:23 2004-4-29
Marion, your analysis and way of describing it is rather impressing! Needless to say i totaly agree with you.
Good Luck anyway(Finland will need it)
From Marion, GERMANY
Added 12:26:45 2004-4-27
I think no Country trys harder to kill themselves than Finland. A Land rich of wonderful Voices (and this entry prooves it), but with the their masochist inclination to destroy every strong song. It's even more sad to Finland than the compulsive tries of Germany to win. I finally like to see them fighting for Victory.
From Ziv, ISRAEL
Added 24/04/2004 13:51
poor finland.. another year of low position..
When will they finally learn??
From malena , FINLAND
Added 23/04/2004 16:50
A big disappointment for Finland this year! We had many better songs, but this one...! This is all some bad latino Ricky style... Come on Finland, next year i wanna see Finland on the top. Even though, good luck!
From Klara, SWEDEN
Added 18/04/2004 18:27
Yeah!This song is good.I like Jari's voice, and the ryhtm.
I hope that Finland goes to Final!
Good Luck!!
From Mike K, NETHERLANDS
Added 18/04/2004 12:51
Very bad song and the singer doesn't look very sympatic, no final for finland this year.
From Iván, SPAIN
Added 10/04/2004 19:51
I really like this song a lot. I hope Finland reaches the final, it's one of the countries that deserves it. The music is wonderful. Good luck!!
From T.G.Beck, ICELAND
Added 07/04/2004 12:43
moderate lyrics, the chorus slightly better. lousy accent but a good singer though. the song itself is okay, but the arrangement is dreadful.
From Sérgio Rego, PORTUGAL
Added 06/04/2004 16:38
Finland is my favourite country in ESC. This song... it's very kitsch. Usually I do't like kitschy songs but I think this one is ok. A nice way to open the semifinal. I think it will qualify and if it does, I hope Finland gets a good score. The Finns deserve it, for God sake!
From Steinar, NORWAY
Added 04/04/2004 17:40
something different and fresh, and he has a lot of stage pressence and a good singing voice. Not as dull as his other songs, it stands out in it's jerky, punchy qualities. Catchy, even if the silly "hallelujahs" in the chorus give it a slightly kitschy feel - never a good thing in ESC - regardless of what some might think. Still, "Nukku pomminn" remains one of the best ever Finnish songs
|
|
top of page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finland
![Official 2006 Double CD now available to order at Amazon.co.uk [external link in new window]](/eurovision/images/furniture/2006cd_120x215.gif)
![[external link in new window] Valid CSS!](/eurovision/images/w3c/vcss.png)
![[external link in new window] Level A conformance icon, W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0](/eurovision/images/w3c/wcag1A.png){kind=small}
