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About Portugal...
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2005 Result
Points in Semi Final: 51
Position in Semi Final: 17th
Points in Final: Failed to qualify
Position in Final: Failed to qualify
2006 Contest: Must compete in Semi Final
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History (1956 to 2004)
Portugal's previous appearances: 38 year(s) out of 49
Years participated: 1964-1969; 1971-1999; 2001; 2003-
Best result: 6th (1996)
Portugal's record at Eurovision is spookily similar to that of Finland, with the same number of entries (38) and the same of lack of success (never finishing higher than 6th place). In Portugal's case, its high point came in 1996, when it achieved a strong 6th place thanks to Lucia Moniz - better known today as Colin Firth's Portuguese maid in the film 'Love Actually'. In fact, Portugal had a flurry of good results in the early 1990s (8th in 1991 and 1994, 10th in 1993), brought only to a grinding halt by scoring nothing at all in 1997. Since then, a series of rather old-fashioned songs has resulted in Portugal doing no better than 12th, in 1998. The country missed 2000's contest through relegation, and after another poor result in 2001 (17th), declined to take part in 2002. Interestingly, Portugal's absence gave a reprieve to the Latvians, who had finished one place below the Portuguese in 2001 and would otherwise have missed the 2002 contest. Marie N went on to represent Latvia that year, winning the contest for her country in the process. Portugal came back in 2003 with Rita Guerra's beautiful ballad, 'Deixa-me sonhar'. However, despite being sung partly in English, the song scraped a disappointing 22nd place, meaning that Portugal had to compete in the Semi Final in 2004. Many online polls had tipped Sofia and her song 'Foi Magia' to come last, so in the circumstances, 15th place with 38 points - including 12 from all the ex-pats in Andorra - was quite impressive. Still, it was not enough to qualify for the Final, and the Portuguese need to produce something really good if they are to avoid languishing in the Semi Final on a permanent basis.
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This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: 3
Position in Final draw: Failed to qualify
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Portugal kept everyone waiting this year, with broadcaster RTP only revealing the title and artist of its song at the last possible moment - the Heads of Delegation meeting in Kiev. Indeed, most online polls kicked off before hearing the Portuguese song, probably assuming that it would be rubbish. Happily, Portugal's entry is actually a pleasant surprise - after sending lots of rather miserable sounding entries to Eurovision over the years, 'Amar' is a breath of fresh air, an intriguing mix of English and Portuguese, with a lively, joyous chorus. Going under the group name 2B, the duo of Rui Drumond and Luciana both emerged via TV talent shows, and have come together especially for Eurovision. Of course, artificially creating a Eurovision act is fraught with difficulty - Latvia's F.L.Y in 2003 consisted of three great talents, but putting them all together proved disastrous. Fortunately, however, Rui and Luciana seem a strong combination, complementing one another both visually and vocally."
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What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: 9th to 11th
My prediction for Final: Possible qualifier; 15th to 17th if it does
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Portugal has a lack of neighbours to vote for it, and needs a good song in order to muster much support. I think this is the strongest Portuguese entry for many years, but its qualification is far from assured - I believe a good performance should see the song sneak into the Final, but it could just as easily narrowly miss out. However, the Portuguese are overdue some Eurovision success, and I hope this song does well for them, notwithstanding the unpromising odds of 100-1."
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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...
With the first two songs in the Semi Final (Austria and Lithuania) both doing significantly worse than I predicted, it can't hurt to add a third song to the hit list. In Portugal's case, I had ill-advisedly suggested that Rui and Luciana from 2B "complementing one another visually and vocally", a claim that was well and truly scuppered by their Semi Final performance. Luciana looked as if she had been dragged through a hedge backwards and forwards somewhere between Portugal and Kiev, while she and Rui sounded as if they were singing different songs over the top of each other, or at least the same song in two different keys. 2B also made the error wearing head-mikes - useful in preventing them from being tied to microphone stands, but counter-productive if all the energetic dance moves end up compromising their vocals (as they did). Still, it wasn't all bad - a good song is a good song, and when Rui and Luciana launched into the powerful chorus of 'Amar' we got a real taste of its potential. Unfortunately, we just had to listen to the verse first.
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What the bookies thought...
 | Portugal to win: | 21/05/05 (prior to Final) | - |
| | 19/05/05 (after Semi Final) | - |
| | 19/05/05 (prior to Semi Final) | 100-1 |
| | 16/05/05 | 100-1 |
| | 15/05/05 | 100-1 |
| | 08/05/05 | 100-1 |
| | 02/05/05 | 100-1 |
| | 24/04/05 | 66-1 |
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Portugal always seems to have odds of 100-1, whatever song it selects for Eurovision. Some would argue that's because its songs are usually rubbish. I, however, wouldn't wish to make such a sweeping generalisation.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
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Links
 http://www.ruidrumond.com/
 http://www.rtp.pt/
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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 (24)
From Damian, United Kingdom
Added 23:27:47 2007-04-13
Well, something occurred to me the other day that I hadn't noticed before. This song is a record holder. No other song in history has been awarded as many 12 points in the semi-final without qualifying. Just thought you might like to know...
From Simon, United Kingdom
Added 00:01:53 2006-02-18
Portugal may not have won, and they may not have even reached the final, but I believe the song selection and the act were something for the Portuguese to be proud of. A tad too 'over done' on the night with too much dancing and strange costumes, but the chorus was fantastic and I think they did a good song justice... I honestly think a better performance placing (and possibly more neighbours) would have pushed Portugal into the final. Alas, let's hope for the more realistic rather than the impossible of the two options next year :o)
From sara de freitas, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 16:22:42 2005-10-26
this year was just shameful 4 all da portuguese ppl includin me. a word of advise a little more singing and a lot less dancin. we all now its hard 2 sing and dance at the same time but if u cant do it then justtttt..... DONT. at least they tried there best. xxx
From lukasz, POLAND
Added 18:21:42 2005-6-7
I really believed you would win.
For me the best song of Esc2005
From Guell, PUERTO RICO
Added 15:43:19 2005-6-1
To be fair, there were very few sound problems this year as compared to last year, which was disaster. But Portugal was the most unfortunate victim of poor sound in the semifinal. At times the chorus was inaudible. Add to that the less-than-impressive staging and one of my favorite songs went unnoticed. Nevertheless I still think this song is a happy improvement for the country, and I do hope that Portugal will keep trying harder in the future.
From Ben Smith, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 14:45:5 2005-5-21
This is the worst of all the songs. The Semi Final performance didn't help, they were so out of tune.
From Karl, SOUTH AFRICA
Added 16:59:18 2005-5-18
Dear all
Eurovision time and every single year “more of the same”! Politics, politics and more politics! It seems that every year we go through the same and that there’s no one courageous enough to say “pure and simply” what they actually think! I will rephrase it, saying “pure and simply” what they actually think without being biased. Every year, people “praise” always the same countries (e.g. Sweden) and judge negatively the same countries (e.g. Portugal). I just felt like being “Devil’s Advocate” for now! Mind you I am not Portuguese, it just happens that I have been living in this shinny happy warm place for 2 years now, and I am lovin´it! The two above mentioned countries (not only Eurovision wise), where mentioned earlier, not due to its similarities, but on the other hand, due to its divergences! Regarding Eurovision (partly what this is all about) Sweden has proven records of its success, while Portugal, proven records has of its failures! It seems that this year, everything is, pretty much decided! Polls pin point Greece, Iceland, Israel, Hungary, Switzerland, Romania, Netherlands, Malta and Cyprus (to name some of the most hi-lighted top 15), with Greece the “ever favourite” including mine! This year Sweden was not that successful with their choice, but no one mentions the fact! To me, the Swedish music reminds me of an intro to “Pink Panther Does Vegas” cartoon! This is how used am I to their GREAT songs, now, almost always! On the other hand, the Portuguese entry had some vile comments and “everybody” had a terrible opinion about that! I know that the delay “stupidly” conducted by RTP towards the presentation of the music, just caused expectations among the “Euro Listeners” and probably everybody did actually put their expectations “too high”! Why?! Portuguese entries are not that memorable (positive wise) anyway – Apart from Lucia Moniz, Dulce Pontes, Rita Guerra and Sara Tavares, great songs. Considering that the Portuguese entry in 2004 (Sofia – “Foi Magia”) was probably the worse entry ever, and comparing it with 2005 entry… actually we cannot compare it with whatsoever! What I mean is Sofia’s music did not have the level of criticism that 2B “Amar” had. As an outsider in Portugal I have grown to understand the people, the culture, their successes and failures! For the Portuguese, ESC was (during earlier days) the place to find new talents and before 1974 the place to pass the message about the state of the country’s politics and its dictatorship. Nowadays, ESC is just about to become something to be taken seriously. Since 1974, the Portuguese have been trying really hard to abandon an installed natural state of “sadness” and lack of confidence and are becoming a much more confident society… shinier, happier people! The group 2B is very representative of the Portuguese youth! Just walk along the streets of Lisbon, go out for drinks in Lisbon Soho “Bairro Alto”, go out clubbing in “Fragile” and you will see what I mean! Rui and Luciana are just like the “the boy and girl next door”. Within my group of friends, living in Lisbon, there are Swedish, Finish, Germans, Spaniards, Catalans, Ukrainians, French, Belgians, Dutch, English and obviously Portuguese. Some of these friends have been living in the country for over 10 years and they always mention how they have been assisting to the changes (for better) within the Portuguese society. Furthermore, they mention the fact that these changes have been happening without the loss of the authenticity that characterises and gives so much charm to this country and its people! You may, by now, question the reason why for all this chat-chat…just to let you know that it is a fact that we all, given a moment in time, can be biased and can extend our sympathy towards friends, family or allies, just because “we know” them. On the other hand, hostilities are left to be applied towards things or those “we do not know”. Summing up, the theme “Amar” by 2B is, in my humble opinion, not as bad as everybody is “painting” it. Whether if I would have that same opinion if I had never lived in Lisbon, I really do not know, but I really hope they do well. Finally, I really think that the songs from Andorra and Serbia & Montenegro are beautifully composed and deserve a good qualification. Will that happen? Guess not. Hope you all have a Great ESC day and may the Best Win.
Karl
[REPLY FROM GRAHAM: I think this is the longest comment ever, Karl! For what it's worth though, I have championed Portugal's entry this year, and criticised Sweden's - so not sure what you make of that :)]
From Andreas, HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY STATE)
Added 2:17:25 2005-5-18
I liked this song very much!
From Sara, UNITED STATES
Added 1:53:25 2005-5-18
I'm impressed with Portugal's song this year. The song is refreshing with an upbeat sound and with the amazing voices of Rui and Luciana bringing quality to the song, I feel that Portugal has a very good chance to reach the finals. Hopefully the song will do very well. There are other good songs in the festival but most of them have a ethnic beat, where only nearby countries may vote. I think the festival should be one of universal sounds and not particular to any country. I believe Portugal accomplished that. Good luck Portugal.
From Nuno, PORTUGAL
Added 21:48:24 2005-5-17
Go...Go...Go...Portugal!!
From antonio, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 14:50:28 2005-5-17
im so happy because the portuguese song is great this year!
i love that song!
go portugal!
PORTUGAL POINTS!!!!!
From Guell, PUERTO RICO
Added 14:22:52 2005-5-17
Oops, sorry. I posted the wrong country in my previous comment. I'm from Puerto Rico, which of course means that I can't vote, unfortunately. If I could, it would be for Latvia, Portugal, Slovenia, and Norway.
From David HJ, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 23:21:20 2005-5-16
You know if this passes the qualification stage and the performance is good, Portugal could have a Top 10 this year maybe even 4th or 5th. Thankfully they have got away from fado and meandering ballads, beautiful as they are, but are not Eurovision fodder. Will Portugal ever win Eurovision?
From Guell, PORTUGAL
Added 21:44:19 2005-5-16
This one might not be doing very well in the polls, but I don't care. This is one of the most fun and enjoyable songs this year, and one of my top 3 personal favorites. It is a joyful, unpretentious song that will provide a nice contrast to all the overproduced ethnic sounding stuff that we will hear this year. I hope 2B does a good job on stage so we can hear it again on the final. I'm optimistic. Lisbon 2006 is probably too much to ask from european voters, but wouldn't that be a pleasant surprise?
From Francisco, PORTUGAL
Added 21:45:36 2005-5-15
Hi Guys! I've just heard the portuguese song once and it sounded basic. Better than our usual anyway. Just writing this post to say to all you guys that we have a lot of people doing excellent music here in Portugal (most of them pretty accurate for the ESC) but the problem is that for some years now on there is no selection/contest to reach the song that will represent us. The RTP (national broadcasting television, owned by the portuguese state) just ask some friends (in their 50's-60's or so) to write a song, chooses one or two cute faces to sing it, and that's it. Done! We onc had a national contest which represented for us the same that San Remo does for Italy. But it's gone. They choose to impose rather than let people choose. Hugs to you al...and vote for PORTUGAL!
From Alexandra, GREECE
Added 17:8:51 2005-5-14
Hey Portugal!What's up? :P I haven't listen your song yet,i'm sorry!But i'm sure it is great!I'm adding this comment for one reason:for congratulating your country and your ppl for the perfect organisation of Euro 2004 :D i came to your country and i had a great time!Greece supports u!Good luck!Kisses :)
From edison, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 16:26:5 2005-5-12
Good Luck from London. The best Portuguese entry for some time so hopefully will do well on the night.
From amy, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 12:55:33 2005-5-12
good effort i say
From george, SOUTH AFRICA
Added 10:26:4 2005-5-12
I hear the Eurovision song contest every year. Although Portugal in the past few years have had low quality songs, this year is an exception. The song is full of energy, a typical festival song and most surely do wish 2B all the success.
From Sébastien, FRANCE
Added 15:8:2 2005-5-11
PORTUGAL is finally entering the 21st century... Nevertheless the song is very bad and repetitive. If PORTUGAL access the final, I will probably think that I'm hallucinating...
From Ting tong, BELGIUM
Added 20:38:0 2005-3-22
how?You haven't heard it...
From Bo Overall, HOLY SEE (VATICAN CITY STATE)
Added 11:0:50 2005-3-22
I liked this song very much.Good luck from the Vatican
From blend, ALBANIA
Added 11:54:49 2005-3-16
l like this song very much. From Albania good luck
From Lukas, LITHUANIA
Added 7:50:29 2005-3-16
HI PORTUGAL, LITHUANIA WILL BE WITH YOU.
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Portugal
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