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About Malta...
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2005 Result
Points in Semi Final: N/A
Position in Semi Final: N/A
Points in Final: 192
Position in Final: 2nd
2006 Contest: Directly qualified to Final
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History (1956 to 2004)
Malta's previous appearances: 17 year(s) out of 49
Years participated: 1971-1972; 1975; 1991-
Best result: 2nd (2002)
Malta had a brief dalliance with Eurovision in the 1970s, taking part in 1971 (finishing last), 1972 (last again) and 1975 (a slightly better 12th). After that run of 'success', it's hardly surprising that Malta gave up, only returning in 1991. By this time, Malta had realised the advantage of singing in English, rather than the Maltese of its first two entries. Remember, from the late 1970s until 1999 only those countries with English as a native language - the UK, Ireland and Malta - could perform in English at Eurovision. Since its 1991 comeback, Malta has used English to good effect, finishing in the top ten every year between 1991 and 1998, including two 3rd places (Mary Spiteri's 'Little child' in 1992, and Chiara's 'The one that I love' in 1998). With the free language rule reintroduced in 1999, Malta seemed to suffer, its song 'Believe'n Peace' slumping to 15th - in truth, though, the song was weak, its poor result reflecting crimes against both spelling and singing. Indeed, it was back to normal after that, with an 8th place in 2000, 9th in 2001, and a tantalising 2nd for Ira Losco's '7th Wonder' in 2002. Then, in 2003, Malta sent chirpy Lynn Chircop to Eurovision...
Unfortunately, Lynn finished in 25th place with just 4 points (3 of those from Ireland), spared the indignity of coming last only because the UK's Jemini did even worse. If Malta was hoping to win the contest, it had 'To dream again', as it were. Since Malta takes Eurovision very seriously, heated debate ensued in the light of this shock result, slightly tempered by the fact that the new Semi Final system gave Malta a chance to participate in 2004 when previously it would have missed that year's contest through relegation. Luckily, Julie & Ludwig's 'On again, off again' restored some Maltese pride, qualifying for the Final with relative ease, and doing enough on the big night to finish 12th and - by the skin of their teeth - secure Malta's direct qualification to the Final in 2005.
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This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: N/A
Position in Final draw: 3
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"It's the clash of the power ballads! Assuming that Glennis from the Netherlands reaches the Final with ease, 2005 could well see the Dutch and Maltese competing for the Eurovision crown. Malta's contribution is courtesy of Chiara, making a welcome return to the Contest after coming within a whisker of winning in 1998. On that occasion, you may recall, Chiara hovered in a floaty dress among a sea of candles, belting out 'The one that I love'. To be fair, her vocal performance had a few duff notes, but the overall staging of the song was excellent, and made a positive impression on viewers in the first year of comprehensive Eurovision televoting. With Selma (Iceland), Constantinos (Cyprus) and Helena Paparizou (Greece) all back for their respective countries after securing previous Top 5 places under televoting, having a good track record at Eurovision is clearly regarded as no bad thing. This year, Chiara even has the advantage of a stronger song than last time, all the more impressive given that she has written it herself. Where 'The one that I love' could have been lifted from a slightly dodgy musical, 'Angel' has more than a whiff of Kate Winslet's 'What if', and really comes across as well-suited to Chiara's voice. The only disappointing feature is the rather weak ending to the song, which compares unfavourably to the Dutch song's goosebump-inducing high note - hopefully this is something that the Maltese can address in time for the Contest. Overall, however, I like this very much, and there seems little doubt that it will do well."
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What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: N/A
My prediction for Final: 1st to 3rd, possible winner
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Chiara's 1998 success caught many by surprise, and we would do well not to underestimate her impact this time. Reports from rehearsals have been suitably gushing, and rightly so - it’s a beautiful song, beautifully sung, and by all accounts beautifully presented. Chiara has a good draw too - performing third after the UK's Javine, 'Angel' could hardly be more different to the energetic 'Touch my fire'. However, both the Maltese and Dutch will be hoping that Glennis Grace's near-certain qualifier avoids the vacant fourth slot in the running order - 'Angel' followed by 'My impossible dream' would almost certainly be ballad overload. Be clear, Chiara is a massive contender - and with such a powerful song, no-one could begudge her Malta's first victory after coming so close to winning seven years ago. With narrowing odds of 12-1, Malta gets my bet."
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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!)
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What actually happened...
Chiara is always a class act, and her performance of 'Angel' was impressive, soon settling into its stride after what I thought was a slightly iffy beginning. It was enough to give Malta a well-deserved 192 points (including six 10s but only one 12) and 2nd place in the Final, beaten only by Greece's Helena Paparizou. As a result, Chiara joins the relatively select list of performers who have managed to finish in the top three at Eurovision on two separate occasions. Perhaps Chiara will return yet again in pursuit of that elusive 1st place? Meanwhile, Malta suffers the frustration of having finished 2nd and 3rd on two occasions each, by the far the best record of any country that has yet to actually win the Contest. However, with a record this consistent, Malta's time will surely come.
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What the bookies thought...
 | Malta to win: | 21/05/05 (prior to Final) | 12-1 |
| | 19/05/05 (after Semi Final) | 12-1 |
| | 19/05/05 (prior to Semi Final) | 12-1 |
| | 16/05/05 | 14-1 |
| | 15/05/05 | 14-1 |
| | 08/05/05 | 12-1 |
| | 02/05/05 | 12-1 |
| | 24/04/05 | 9-1 |
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Chiara's stunning 2nd place proved that the bookies had slightly underestimated her chances - she really should have been up there among the Contest favourites.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
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Links
 http://www.chiara-music.com/
 http://www.maltasong.com/
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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 (329)
From mark micallef, Malta
Added 10:45:42 2007-03-05
chiara is the best singer in the world the most voice thanks please share
From Raissa, Malta
Added 14:13:21 2006-10-19
For me and for all the malthese people Chiara is the one and only... She have a great voice and everyone is proud about her... Thank You Chiara!... I wish that next year we can see you in the ESC again... but this time not 3rd or 2nd place... 1st place... keep up your good work
www.freewebs.com/chiara_angel
www.freewebs.com/chiara_siracusa
www.freewebs.com/chiaranewlook
From Yukky Dins, Malta
Added 21:05:09 2006-05-27
Chiara had a brilliant song in 2005. She has a fantastic voice and it made a very good change from all those wild songs which were becoming really tiring. I, being Maltese, think that Chiara should have won but Greece's song was more 'Eurovisionish' and more catchy and was therefore a good winner. I am still disappointed though.
From lisa, Malta
Added 16:50:16 2006-03-03
the results were: greece-1st place and malta 2nd place. it is no use that the maltese argue. in my opinion both songs were really great. i liked them both. the maltese song was really nice and helena was great. i liked it . she deserved to win the festival. in fact although the maltese argue they gave 12 pionts to greece.
From yiannis, Greece
Added 07:49:13 2006-02-23
well ok chiara has an amazing voice and she is really sweet. However her song was too boring not exceptional at all. I cant understand why greece gave 8 points to this song. I am happy we gave 5 points to romania (the best of all for me) but also dissapointed because greece didnt give points to israel.
Besides maltas entry this year is also too boring. sorry......
From samantha, Malta
Added 13:28:43 2006-02-05
hey i'm want the music all of eurovision can you give me the web site
REPLY FROM GRAHAM: Er, that's quite a lot of music... which year's Contest do yo mean?
From Kenneth, MALTA
Added 22:10:17 2005-12-2
In my Opinion, Chiara had so a talented and angelic voice and she had performed very good.
From Daniel azzopardi, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 18:0:6 2005-10-24
HI CHIARA
I REALLY LOVED YOUR SONG ANGEL. I HAVE BEEN TO MALTA SINCE I WAS BORN. BECUSE MOST OF MY FAMLIY WAS BORN THERE,LIKE MY DAD. YOU HAVE A GREAT VOICE. YOU SHOULD OF WIN IT. COZ YOU WAS THE ONLY GOOD SINGER I LIKED. I AM TRYING TO GET YOU SNOG BUT YOU CAN;T GET HERE IN ENGLAND. ITS GOOD YOU CAME 2ND PLACE. WELL IT WAS NICE TALKING TO YOU. IF YOU GET THIS E MAIL. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO E MAIL ME BACK PLEASE. THANK YOU. FROM DANIEL
From Wane Borg, MALTA
Added 19:59:18 2005-10-21
Your the best chiara Malta didn't have neighbors but anyway we finish in 2 nd place Thank you!!!
From thomas bruce, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 12:14:22 2005-10-14
i thought this was the best sing in the contest i was very dissapointed with the rubbish that got through from the semi final li holland and iceland not getting through also could you help me im trying to get chiaras albums can you help thomas bruce
From melanie, MALTA
Added 13:56:54 2005-9-20
welldone chiara!
From Mary Rose Cutajar , MALTA
Added 18:32:3 2005-9-16
I LIKE YOUR MUISC YOU HAVE A GREAT VOICE,KEEP IT UP,
YOU ARE THE BEST
From marilouborg, MALTA
Added 8:35:54 2005-9-15
you are numder on e inmaltacahia
you are numder one not greese
From P., GREECE
Added 20:56:30 2005-9-6
Your song was really beautiful!!Congratulations Chiara!! cu in Athens,next year :-)
From manuel constantinou, CYPRUS
Added 18:1:25 2005-7-22
HI CHIARA!!!CYPRUS DIDNT GIVE U MORE POINTS BUT U HAVE TO KNOW THAT IF I WERE THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN VOTE.I WILL VOTE MALTA SURE..COS OF YOUR REALLY BEAUTIFULL ISLAND AND YOUR EXCELLENT VOICE.PLS CHIARA IF U SEE MY MESSAGE.CAN U TALK TO ME.I AM IN LOVE WITH U AND IF YOU WERE NOT MARRIED I WOULD LIKE TO MARRIED,....
SO MALTA AND CHIARA ONE LOVER OF I AM...I LOVE ALL MALTESE PEOPLE AND I HOPE TO COME IN MALTAS UNIVERSITY...MALTA AND CHIARA FOR ME U WEE MY NUMBER ONE THX FOR 12 POINTS TO CYPRUS
JINE INHOBORE MALTA HANFFA
From emmi, FINLAND
Added 17:32:10 2005-7-20
i love this song i realy love it but i need the notes for free Where i find them?
From Kenneth, --
Added 14:12:36 2005-7-11
Sorry Panos but on the Greek radio programms they told you to vote evey song except the Maltese. So I think you were scared from the Maltese song. And by the way Malta is the only country without friends and neighbours while Greece has 4 neighbours and Cyprus as their friend!
From Christina, GREECE
Added 11:43:1 2005-7-6
Helena was great!!!She made us proud!!!Greece has waited 31 years for this victory!F I N A L L Y !
What I don't get is why some countries (mostly Moldova, Malta, and Lithuania)are being so nasty and mean about it.Secondly, why do the Maltese think that Helena should have given Chiara the royal treatment?She didn't have to be friends with her anyway.It's nice to be proud of your country but I think you've gone too far.
And what's all this about our neighbors?Greece's foreign affairs aren't THAT good!I will admit to the alliance with Cyprus, but not Albania, Turkey and Romania.And if it were true we would have won the ESC a long time ago.Same goes for the Maltese accusation that we won because we are Orthodox Christian. And I understand that some people didn’t like the song, its impossible to appeal to everyone, but what I don’t understand is why people are attacking Greece as a country and Helena as a person.
Greece won because it was original, catchy, fun and representative of our musical heritage.And about the "high publicity" the Greek delegation generated for Helena....if the song wasn't good, no matter how many interviews, commercials, promotional tours etc., the song would have flopped.It was all there.We nailed the Eurovision recipe on the head,and brought it home!
From Denise, MALTA
Added 10:15:16 2005-7-2
Charia you are the best. Much more than helena you are the 1st one
for all the maltese. thank you for the fantastic place.
From nikolas, GERMANY
Added 14:1:42 2005-7-1
Oh my God, you maltese eurovision fans are such a bad loosers! Get over it and be happy with a very good second place. Balcan countries have similar taste in music (among others) and Helena´s song had balcan tunes in it along with a modern beat, the perfect recipe. And Eurovision is also about a show, and she did a perfect one. So instead of complaining, try to bring to Athens next year a good performer who can touch the soul of many countries like Elena did. And that with politics is pure nonsense: you can not explain everything with this, just because you do not know how to be a respectfull looser. Anyway, how strange, that Malta gave last year 12 points to Sakis for a bad song, and this year only six points to the winner Elena. You are the one who used "tactical voting", but it did not work. Elena deserved the first place, smile and say Congratulations!
From Esme, AUSTRALIA
Added 4:41:45 2005-6-27
Chiara's song was amazing!! Congratulations to Malta for another excellent song - I thought this year was their year, but maybe Chiara can bring it home for them in 2006
From Asia, POLAND
Added 14:24:6 2005-6-21
that's one of the most beautiful songs! I love it!
From kimberly scicluna, MALTA
Added 19:18:21 2005-6-20
you're the best chaira and good luck for the future
From Renee, GREECE
Added 16:18:20 2005-6-20
Ok people.....i'll say it one last time.HELENA DIDN'T HAVE TO LIKE CHIARA!!!Do u like everyone you meet?Did Helena have to be Chiara's best friend, kiss her feet and worship the ground she walks on to deserve to win the contest??
OH WAIT!!!I have an idea!!!Why doesn't Helena hand the victory over to Chiara!!!Oh oh wait....I have another idea!!!Why don't we have the ESC in Malta next year instead of Greece???I mean, Greece doesn't deserve it after 31 years of trying and Chiara lost by only 38 points! Who does Chiara think she is?Helena lied about liking Chiara?Good for her!At least she was professional and a good sport and didn't show it.Unlike Chiara, who found it wise to accuse the winner of "not liking her".Oh boo hoo!!!SO WHAT?WHO CARES?I REPEAT.....HELENA WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO LIKE CHIARA!Helena one the ESC not the Miss Congeniality award in a beauty pagent.
From Maria Vella, MALTA
Added 16:17:20 2005-6-17
WILL U STOP ARGUING???? I also think that Chiara is the best and our song should have won. But come on... the result is there and you cannot change it. WELL DONE CHIARA... YOU MADE US PROUD!! Well done Helena... YOU made GREECE proud. See you in Greece....
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