About Belarus...

2005 Result
History (1956 to 2004)
This year's entry
What I predicted...
What you thought...
What actually happened...
What the bookies thought...

top of page 

2005 Result

Points in Semi Final: 67
Position in Semi Final: 13th

Points in Final: Failed to qualify
Position in Final: Failed to qualify
More about the 2005 result for Belarus

2006 Contest: Must compete in Semi Final

top of page 

History (1956 to 2004)

Belarus's previous appearances: 1 year(s) out of 49 [note]
Years participated: 2004- [note]
Best result: 19th in Semi (2004)

Belarus was one of four countries participating for the first time in 2004, but while some of the newcomers did very well (Serbia & Montenegro in 2nd, Albania in 7th), Belarus unfortunately did very badly, 'My Galileo' finishing 19th in the Semi Final with just 10 points. Undeterred, the country is back for another go in 2005, but must finish top 10 in Thursday's Semi Final if it is to win a place in the Final on Saturday.
Get 'The Eurovision Song Contest: The Offical History' at Amazon.co.uk

top of page 

This year's entry

Position in Semi Final draw: 8
Position in Final draw: Failed to qualify

What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Belarus seems determined to make my life as a reviewer as complicated as possible! Everything seemed straightforward enough when the country voted Angelica Agurbash, with the song 'Boys and girls', the winner of its national final. Sadly, Angelica's many talents - "the first Miss Minsk, talented singer whose songs occupy highest positions in modern charts, great wife and mother who brings up three children", according to the Belteleradiocompany company - failed to rub off on her intended Eurovision entry. I was not alone in questioning the quality of the song and performance, writing:

"The song is as scary as Angelica's outfit (see photo above) - sounding like a chain-smoking version of Belinda Carlisle, she growls menacingly over an apocalyptic backing, the whole thing erupting into a headbanging shoutfest towards the end. Deciphering the Belenglish, the song appears to be an Emma-esque (UK, 1990) plea about children being our future - however, notwithstanding Angelica's encouragements to 'come on!', most children are likely to be cowering in the corner after three minutes of this. Bizarrely, I have to admit there is something strangely likeable about this song, but that may be the effect of playing it too many times. For most of Europe, one terrifying listen to 'Boys and girls' will surely be enough."

However, Angelica apparently read some of the early (generally not very positive) comments about her song, and decided to ask Eurovision fans (via her official website) whether it should be replaced with a song called 'Show me your love', composed by the ubiquitous Svika Pick - responsible for the fantastic 'Diva' in 1998 (Dana International's winning song for Israel), and the not quite as fantastic 'Hasta la vista' (Ukraine's Olexandr) in 2003. My (slightly tongue in cheek) advice to Angelica was "don't do it! 'Boys and girls' must stay - Europe deserves the chance to hear it in its full, fabulous glory. Besides, 'Show me your love' - sounding uncannily like 'Hasta la vista', it has to be said - really isn't very good, so there would be little to gain by changing".

Needless to say, Belarus has ignored everyone, and decided to send a different song altogther - 'Love me tonight' - this time written by the team responsible for Sakis' 'Shake it' in 2004, the Greek duo Nikos Terzis and Nektarios Tyrakis. This is perfectly in line with EBU rules - Belarus was quite entitled to change its song right up to the March submission deadline, even if the moral argument for doing so is a little suspect. What is to stop any broadcaster deciding that the televoters' have picked a rubbish song and replacing it with something else? Nothing, it would seem. It is true that only last year France also replaced its original choice of song - however, the difference there was that TV3 used a completely internal selection process rather than a national final, making no pretence of involving the public in the first place.

Whatever the ethics, the result of all these shenanigans is exactly waht Belarus wanted - to greatly increase its chances of reaching the Final, with a song that is really rather good. Yes, Angelica still sounds like she's gargling nails, but the song is an upbeat disco stomper that will be packing out gay bars everywhere, with more than a whiff of Cher's 'Strong enough' in the '70s flavoured chorus."

top of page 

What I predicted...

My prediction for Semi Final: 4th to 6th
My prediction for Final: Definite qualifier; 6th to 8th
See all my predictions for 2005

What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Be scared, as I think this upbeat and completely camp entry could do really, really well. There are lots of things that act in its favour, beyond the fact that it is a catchy song written by a composer renowned for his past Eurovision successes. First, 'Love me tonight' has the distinction of being the 2005 entry that I am humming and singing along to more than any other - though perhaps that says more about me than the song. Second, Belarus has a good draw in the Semi Final, coming after three ballads on the trot. Third, with Angelica's performance promising lots of Marie N-like (Latvia, 2002) stripping, a memorable show seems assured. Fourth, do not discount the fact that Angelica has managed to promote her song in a staggering 16 countries, including smaller countries like Andorra where hundreds or even tens of votes can make all the differece between 12 points and no points. Finally, even Soult.com Eurovision's visitors rate 'Love me tonight' highly, with Belarus standing at a creditable 9th out of 39 in the Poll 2005. In summary, I suspect that the decision to ditch 'Boys and girls' will pay off, with Belarus reaching the Final for the first time. Once there, expect this to go at least top ten - for my part, I've placed an each way bet at 20-1 on it finishing top four; Coral's odds have since narrowed further to 16-1. Definitely one to watch."

top of page 

What you thought...

Final Poll Ranking: out of 39 ()
(Updated 22 May 2005; change refers to movement over final week)

In the run up to the Contest, 27,998 visitors to this site voted for their favourite song in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll (up from 5,000 in 2004!)
See full results of Poll 2005

top of page 

What actually happened...

Oh dear. Belarus' 2005 experience reminds us all that vast amounts of promotion and hype are of little value if your chosen performer is unable to carry a tune. There was much to enjoy about the Belarussian performance - indeed, with a song from the creator of Sakis' 'Shake it', fit boys cavorting on stage, and Angelica bedecked in gold and a tiara, the whole thing was a veritable campfest. Other elements were less successful - the strangely disembodied backing vocals (the backing vocalists were present, but rarely seen due to being elevated on platforms a couple of metres in the air), Angelica's habit of gargling and exhaling the English language, and just a hint of overconfidence in the whole, extravagent performance. Nevertheless, I still felt that the strength of the song itself might be enough to secure Belarus the place in the Final that they were certainly banking on. Sadly, it was not to be, 67 points and 13th place falling some way short of what was required.

top of page 

What the bookies thought...

	Belarus to win:	21/05/05 (prior to Final)	-
		19/05/05 (after Semi Final)	-
		19/05/05 (prior to Semi Final)	16-1
		16/05/05	16-1
		15/05/05	20-1
		08/05/05	25-1
		02/05/05	25-1
		24/04/05	25-1

With odds of 16-1, Belarus was expected to make the Final, so Angelica's failure to qualify was a surprise - at least prior to seeing her live performance.

(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)

top of page 

Links

http://www.agurbash.ru/
http://www.tvr.by/eng/eurovision2005.asp

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