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About Spain...
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2004 Result
Points in Semi Final: N/A
Position in Semi Final: N/A
Points in Final: 87
Position in Final: 10th
2005 Contest: Directly qualified to Final
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History (1956 to 2003)
Spain's previous appearances: 43 year(s) out of 48
Years participated: 1961-
Best result: 1st (1968, 1969)
Spain's level of success at Eurovision hardly befits its 'Big 4' status. It won the 1968 contest with the lyrically-challenged 'La La La' by Massiel, shared victory with three others in the infamous 1969 competition (the not very memorable 'Vivo cantando' by Salomé), and has avoided victory ever since. There have been a few close shaves - Mocadades' 'Eres tu', from 1973, is regarded as a Eurovision classic, but could only manage 2nd place, despite ending up as a massive worldwide hit. Further 2nds followed in 1979, with Betty Missiego's 'Su canción' natrrowly losing out to Israel's 'Hallelujah'; and in 1995 with the memorable 'Vuelve conmigo' by Anabel Condé. However, Spain struggled in the early years of televoting, and had to rely on its 'Big 4' status to avoid relegation - after finishing 16th in 1998, 23rd in 1999 and 18th in 2000, David Civera's 6th place in 2001 marked a welcome return to form. In 2002, Spain decided that a change of selection procedure was in order, and introduced the 'Operación Triunfo', Fame Academy-style format. Rosa's irritatingly upbeat 'Eu-ROPP's living a celebration' finished a very respectable 7th, while the same formula produced a solid 8th place for Beth's 'Dime' in 2003. While the 'Operación Triunfo' format is yet to deliver a Spanish victory, it has at least seen an improvement in the country's Eurovision fortunes. Not that it really matters in qualification terms... as one of the 'Big 4', Spain has a guaranteed place in the Final anyway.
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This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: N/A
Position in Final draw: 1
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Using the 'Operación Triunfo' format for the third time, Spain sends another surname-less performer to Eurovision, following in the footsteps of Rosa and Beth. This year, however, it's a man called Ramón, a hunkier version of Ricky Martin. Ramón sings the energetic Latino number 'Para llenarme de ti', and it's actually rather good. Drawn to sing first, it will certainly provide a lively start to the Eurovision Final. Whether televoters remember it after listening to 23 further songs remains to be seen. Unfortunately, Spain's decision to send a male soloist might have worked better had it not been for the fact that so many other countries are also sending male soloists. This year there are 15 male soloists out of 36 entries, compared to a lowly 6 out of 26 in 2003, and just 3 out of 24 in 2002. Perhaps someone should warn these countries that the last male soloist to win Eurovision was Toto Cutugno, back in 1990."
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What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: N/A
My prediction for Final: 14th to 18th
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Spain's entry this year is probably a stronger song than either of its predecessors, 'Europe's living a celebration' or 'Dime'. Importantly, Ramón also appears to be a good live performer; this is something many believe let Beth down in 2003. Looking at past results, women seem to have the upper hand at Eurovision; this year, with quite so many male soloists, Ramón might get lost in the rush. Spain will probably be hoping that the two other Latin numbers in this year's contest (from Finland and Denmark, bizarrely) fail to qualify for the Final, given that they risk diluting the impact of the Spanish entry. Unfortunately for Spain, qualification for both Denmark and Finland seems likely. Despite these various difficulties, 'Para llenarme de ti' remains a strong and energetic song, that deserves to do well. However, with so much competition this year, a Beth-equalling 8th might be the best that Ramón can hope for, and a position in the upper or mid teens seems a more likely outcome. It certainly looks like Spain will have to wait a little longer for its elusive third victory."
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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.
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What actually happened
Ramón provided a suitably energetic opening to the Final, owning the stage like a chubby Ricky Martin, with the inherent strength and infectiousness of the song compensating for the occasional ropeyness of his vocal. The inclusion of a stripping moment and a flash of belly at the end probably did him no harm either.
With 87 points and 10th place, Ramón showed that there was still life in the Operación Triunfo talent show format, managing to do almost as well as the much more highly fancied efforts by Rosa (2003) and Beth (2004). As far as my prediction is concerned, Ramón certainly performed at the upper end of my expectations - I suggested that "a Beth-equalling 8th might be the best that Ramón can hope for", making it another close prediction rather than a completely crackers one.
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What the bookies thought...
 | Spain to win: | 15/05/04 (prior to Final) | 50-1 |
| | 13/05/04 (after Semi Final) | 25-1 |
| | 11/05/04 | 20-1 |
| | 08/05/04 | 25-1 |
| | 06/05/04 | 25-1 |
| | 04/05/04 | 25-1 |
| | 31/04/04 | 25-1 |
| | 24/04/04 | 25-1 |
| | 17/04/04 | 25-1 |
| | 07/04/04 | 16-1 |
| | 24/03/04 | 16-1 |
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Spain opened at odds of 16-1, before slipping to 50-1. In the end, 10th place was better than many had expected, with Spain qualifying for the 2005 Final regardless of its Big 4 status, and finishing in the top ten for the fourth year in succession.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
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Links
 http://www.portalmix.com/ramon/
 http://www.portalmix.com/triunfo/
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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.
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Your comments (35)
From Sergi, SPAIN
Added 18:10:30 2004-5-15
Last year a catalan singer represented spain, in spanish. this year another catalan singer goes to eurovision, but representing andorra.this year i don't want spain to win anything, but i wanted andorra to do it.'cuz i want my nation, the CATALAN COUNTRIES (Regions: Ibiza, Mallorca / Cities:Barcelona, Valencia) to win. As andorra was eliminated in the semifinals, i only want that a good song win (like the serbian one)
From greek girl, SWITZERLAND
Added 15:6:35 2004-5-13
A very big HOLA to Spain!
As a greek I have to say, Ramon has e very good and spanish song ( i like falmenco, it's great!). and also sang in spanish, very good! not as our song. it's a pitty, that Greece sings in english, because greek as beautiful language as spanish!!
but GOOD LUCK TO ALL MEDITERAIN COUNTRYS!!!
besos xxx
From alexandra, GREECE
Added 23:37:43 2004-5-12
hello spanish friends!it is a cute song and i like it because it is too spanish!but i dont know if it will be winner,but i am sure it will be in the 10 first
From malena, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
Added 19:41:47 2004-5-12
Good luck tonight Spain from Serbia and all countries that take part tonight in Istanbul. Win the best song, no matter which country may it be!
Best wishes! :)))
From spain, MEXICO
Added 19:19:32 2004-5-9
if you won´t that andorra will win, go to the andorra forum because this is the forum of SPAIN and only there are msm of andorra. I´m very enfadada.
From Paquito, SPAIN
Added 3:15:17 2004-5-8
Please, I hope you will vote Andorra. And finally, 12 points goes for... Andorra!
From Melisa, ALBANIA
Added 22:17:51 2004-5-6
Very spanish..but might as well because I very much like spanish music...for me GREAT song...afterall it is supposed to be spanish isnt it...the singer and song are supposed to represent spain afterall...Good luck Spain...Cheers from Tirana
From PERE , SPAIN
Added 19:16:11 2004-5-2
my favourite song is the ANDORRA
From Maanu, ISRAEL
Added 14:34:25 2004-5-1
This song is my favorite this year. I think it won't win, but it will get into the top 10. The song is authentic and energetic.
I also think that Israel will give Ramon 12 pts, or something close. Israeli 12 pts will go either to Spain, Greece or Ukraine I think. We just love Spain over here.
From Hanna, NORWAY
Added 22:30:6 2004-4-28
I like this one! I'm not sure it will win, but finally Spain do what they REALLY can! AND what only the spanish should do, that danish latino-song is just ridicilous. But I think this is one of the best from Spain in many years, sounding very spanish. The guy doesn't look bad either :)
From Mark, GERMANY
Added 26/04/2004 19:06
Are we back in the midnineties again?
However, Spain, Denmark and Greece might kill each other, if all of them reach the Final. If one them should makes it to the top ten, let it be Spain please as this is the only one who could do that Sound at least autentically.
From Marcus, SWEDEN
Added 26/04/2004 09:56
Spain! I love this, and great that you havent translate it to english. Obsolutely ha top 5 song...i like!
From Graham Soult, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 23/04/2004 15:37
¡Deseo decir algunas palabras en español para agradecerle por comentarios sobre la canción española! Continúe por favor haciendo sus contribuciones, ellas son muy agradable.
Did i get that nearly right? :)
From malena, FINLAND
Added 23/04/2004 15:31
Mmm... Im about to be sure that Spain has a great chance to win this year! Great voice, great lyrics, music...very spanish! Much better then Malta's "On again...off again" Even Finland has made a very bad choice this year, need to admit! Congratulations Spain.. suerte!
From Mike K, NETHERLANDS
Added 18/04/2004 12:47
This is top 5! much better than Denmark and Finland with their stupid Tango
From Thomas, GERMANY
Added 17/04/2004 19:49
I am almost convinced, that Germany will win this year's contest, but i still hope that finally this year we'll have a winning song, that is NOT one of those 1000-times-heard songs sung in bad English. The spanish song is almost the only one of this year's entries that really is representative for the country it comes from. This is REAL spanish music, sung in Spanish, and i hope and vote for ESC 2005 in Spain!!! Anda, Ramón, canta y sé feliz, así que vas a ganar!
From Iván, SPAIN
Added 17/04/2004 19:04
really, francesca? Your own song is more stupid. But i wouldn 't get surprised if Malta gets many points since Austria was 6º place with a quite stupid and bad song like the Maltese one this year. Quality songs do not always get the points they really deserve.
From jelena, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
Added 17/04/2004 17:09
good song , very spanish , Ramon is great , I watched OT3 on TV Espana , Davinia was the best. Good luck for Spain in Istambul and see you next year in Belgrade!!!
From Francesca, MALTA
Added 16/04/2004 17:49
very bad song i'v never heard a song stupid like this one.
From sweetboy4, SPAIN
Added 16/04/2004 13:53
hola d nuevo!si alguien quiere agregarme al messenger aqui teneis mi direccion:sweetboy4@hotmail.com,this is the messenger,un beso a todos y esta claro que ganaremos y arrasaremos!!!!ole españa
From sweetboy4, SPAIN
Added 16/04/2004 13:48
ole la cancion de españa,los mejores!!!the best song of eurovision 2004!!!!
ramon is the winner!!!
bye
From hhhh, --
Added 16/04/2004 12:39
very bad song
ha-ha
From Marcela, ARGENTINA
Added 15/04/2004 13:34
He oido esta cancion y me gustado mucho, exitos en eurovision desde Argentina.
marcela.
From Yessenia, SPAIN
Added 14/04/2004 20:08
Hello!I think that song this year is fantastic! Ramon is also a phenomenon!!With him Spain will win or it will be in a good place!RHE SONG IS REALLY VERY GOOD!
From Karen, AUSTRALIA
Added 14/04/2004 12:58
At 2am in the morning this song had the power to make me get up out of my chair whilst writing a thesis and boogie around the computer room! What a fun song! Well Done Spain.:)
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Spain
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