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About Romania...
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2005 Result
Points in Semi Final: 235
Position in Semi Final: 1st
Points in Final: 158
Position in Final: 3rd
2006 Contest: Directly qualified to Final
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History (1956 to 2004)
Romania's previous appearances: 6 year(s) out of 49
Years participated: 1994; 1998; 2000; 2002-
Best result: 9th (2002)
Romania made a rather inconspicuous start to its Eurovision career, finishing in 21st place in 1994. After that, the country appeared to give up on the contest, not returning until 1998, though that was partly due to its intended 1996 entry - 'Ruga pentru pacea lumii' by Monica Anghel and Sincron - failing to make it through that year's qualifying round. The Romanians might as well not have bothered to come back, their 1998 effort - Malina Olinescu's 'Eu cred' - scraping a meagre 6 points and 22nd place, despite being popular among Eurovision fans. Reappearing in 2000 for a third attempt, Taxi's gentle song 'The Moon' managed a slightly more impressive 17th, though it was not enough to prevent Romania missing out on the 2001 contest due to relegation.
For 2002, Romania produced what many thought was the worst song of the contest, the Disney-esque ballad 'Tell me why'. Despite being tipped as a likely candidate for 'nul points', Monica Anghel - finally getting her chance after the abortive 1996 effort - and Marcel Pavel gave one of the evening's most professional and powerful performances; in a notable north-south divide, the song was shunned in the voting by the UK, Scandinavia and the Baltic States, but picked up enough support from the Mediterranean countries (and Russia) to finish in 9th place with a healthy 71 points. 2003 represented the first time that Romania had appeared in two consecutive contests, this time with the unusual 'Don't break my heart', performed by Nicola. If the song was slightly strange, the stage performance - featuring giant compact discs and bright colours reminiscent of Teletubbyland - was even stranger. However, it evidently stuck in televoters' minds, as the song finished in 10th place, probably higher than it deserved. As a result, the Romanians found themselves in the happy position of qualifying directly for the 2004 final. However, after two impressive results Romania's record had to slip sometime, Sanda Ladosi finishing a disappointing 18th with 18 points. The song, 'I admit', deserved better, but the performance was poor, and Sanda looked like she had forgotten to finish dressing before going on stage. Still, the Spanish obviously approved, awarding Sanda's cleavage a perky 10 points.
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This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: 14
Position in Final draw: 4
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Romania has a habit of sending very contemporary-sounding entries to Eurovision, and this year's effort is no exception. From the razor blade gargling school of music also favoured by Nicola (Romania, 2003), Luminita Anghel & Sistem continue the country's habit of singing in English with the song 'Let me try'. From its instrumental opening, the song builds into a fully-blown dance anthem, and is really rather good, Luminita owning the song with her distinctive and powerful voice. It's not a shoo-in, but a good performance should surely see Romania as a strong contender for securing a place in the Final."
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What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: 7th to 9th
My prediction for Final: Likely qualifier; 13th to 15th if it does
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Romania's song is a great dance track and a fan favourite, a combination that often foretells failure - Cyprus' Marlain (1999) and Belgium's Xandee (2004) both fell victim to this particular curse. Indeed, the omnipresent dance backing of 'Let me try' recalls last year's Belgian entry. However, I would expect the strength of Luminita's performace - and the presence of some obliging neighbours - to push Romania (relatively) safely into the Final. The bookies' odds have narowed of late to 28-1, and this seems a fair reflection of Romania's chances."
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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...
Every year has its Eurovision dark horses - songs that nobody had rated particularly highly beforehand, but that somehow come through on the night and challenge for victory. In 2005, 'Let me try' was one of those songs. winning the Semi Final by some margin (235 points, including the maximum 'douze points' from six countries), before going on to finish 3rd in the Final. Of course, prior to the Final it was only known that Romania, like the other qualifiers, had finished among the top 10 of the Semi Final, so the level of support for Luminita Anghel and Sistem's song remained a surprise during the Final. After never coming close to victory before, Romania's success was deserved - Luminita impressed with her vocal power, while the percussion group Sistem's act, including creative use of oil drums and angle grinders, was inspired. Once again, it demonstrated the importance of creating a stage performance that is appropriate to the song - done well, it can lead to a great result; done badly, it can create an epic mess of Jonatan Cerrada (France, 2004) proportions.
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What the bookies thought...
 | Romania to win: | 21/05/05 (prior to Final) | 16-1 |
| | 19/05/05 (after Semi Final) | 25-1 |
| | 19/05/05 (prior to Semi Final) | 28-1 |
| | 16/05/05 | 28-1 |
| | 15/05/05 | 28-1 |
| | 08/05/05 | 33-1 |
| | 02/05/05 | 33-1 |
| | 24/04/05 | 33-1 |
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With odds of 33-1, the Romanian entry was certainly underrated prior to the Semi Final. In the Final, 'Let me try' once again exceeded the bookies' expectations by finishing in an excellent 3rd place.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
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Links
 http://www.luminitaanghel.ro/
 http://www.tvr.ro/eurovision/
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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 (115)
From Catalina, Romania
Added 17:54:52 2006-05-10
In case anyone still reads this section,considering it is for 2005...Dear CONSTANCE,actually Romania's performance with drums was not at all related to what happened in Athens and I'll explain why: Sistem is a band that plays this kind of music for almost ten years now...and they do not play drums,but barrels,they were initially called "Trupa pe butoaie" (the Band on Barrels) and for about 5 years they are called Sistem...so long before Athens Olympics!They could have stayed home if nobody voted for them in the nationals!What I am trying to say is that they weren't part of the show,they were the "singers" (if I can say that) together with Luminita,like a duet only that they are a band that does not sing.
I don't know about other countries,but you people should learn more before making any allegations.If you do not believe me can send you songs and clips with them.
From Constance , Greece
Added 21:07:25 2006-02-18
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, GREECE WON, IN 2005, WITH A SHOW-STOPPING PERFORMANCE FROM HELENA "My Number One" PAPARIZOU!!!!!
Luminita's "Let Me Try" was a good but LOUD dance song that did not remind me at all of a ROMANIAN entry! However, we let her "try" and she ranked third.
By they way, did anyone notice that MANY performances included drums on the ESC stage, in 2005?
Just wondering whether those first utterly grabbing minutes (with ... DRUMS) of the fantastic Opening Ceremony of the ATHENS 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES had anything to do with it!!!!! Most likely, YES! It is an observation I made at the time and decided to share it with you now ...
REPLY FROM GRAHAM: Indeed, thank you so much for sharing that Constance!
From Anna, UKRAINE
Added 16:33:54 2005-9-12
I like this song and I vote for Romania but...the ukraineans don't like very much Romania because Bistroe chanel and I think that Roamnia was the best from Eurovision 2005
I like very much Ruslana's song "Heart on fire" and Helena Paparizou dosen't desrve the first place
And I heard the romanian song of Loredana "Le,le" at radio and I think that is a very beautiful song
RUSLANA IS THE BEST!
From Dave HIckman, UNITED STATES
Added 21:6:20 2005-8-24
Romanian music is awesome! I spent several months there this year and came back with lots of CDs, Romania I love you!!! ;)
From MONALISA, ROMANIA
Added 15:14:1 2005-8-11
HI, LUMINITA U R A GREAT SINGER WITH THIS HIT.
LET ME, TELL U THAT I LIKE YR VOICE COZ U GOT A STRONG VOICE AND BEAUTIFUL AT THE SAME TIME AS U!
BYE KISS YA!
GOOD LUCK IN EVERYTHING U DO!
From Asia, POLAND
Added 14:26:47 2005-6-21
it's the best song!
From a-r-m-d-x, AUSTRALIA
Added 10:51:27 2005-6-19
the way this song was performed on stage was stunning! the sparks, the drums, and the amazing voice. i think the country of romania should be very proud of its result. i am dissapointed though that this song, and the song from isreal placed behind greece.
From isma, --
Added 13:23:18 2005-6-9
hola arriba let me try, brujeria y ela ela de mi constantinos are the best!!!
From MICHELA MARIE, MALTA
Added 19:25:31 2005-6-8
I ACTUALLY LOVED THE ROMANIAN SONG!!!! IT RULES!!!!!!
From Laura, LITHUANIA
Added 12:3:59 2005-6-5
you we're very cool! let me try, let me try, I don't wanna say goodbye...
From Ashok Kawol, MAURITIUS
Added 12:3:7 2005-6-5
She was the sexiest on the show
From tudor, ISRAEL
Added 21:44:45 2005-6-1
hello i am so happy that romanian reached 3rd place but this place is good. i am originaly from moldova and i can't understand why moldova givens only 7 points to romania. and why they given 10 to russia and 12 to latvia.in my opinion i think that luminita anghel&sistem from romania was in the best but maybe next romania will be in 1st place i just hope.congratulation romania,moldova,israel.but luminita&sistem forever. thanks
From Tóth András, HUNGARY
Added 9:28:5 2005-5-31
Your performance was really pompous.
Our people should live in peace together.
From Kristina, --
Added 6:41:32 2005-5-30
I am so happy that Romania reached 3rd place, but I can't help thinking that our song was better than the greek one. I only liked the performances of Moldova and Israel quite as much, while My number one didn't seem very special to me.
As for the Moldavian vote, I think it was something political, the Moldavians couldn't have given more points to Russia,Ukraine and Latvia than to Romania...I agree with you, Noah, there must be a story behind this story...
From sergiu, MOLDOVA
Added 19:21:37 2005-5-28
sorry Roumanian. the vote don't mean the choice of "Basarabia people".
From Charlotte, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 19:3:22 2005-5-27
fabulous song .. more drums! Well presented and the singer has a gorgeous voice! Well done Romania .. you got my vote! Please feel free to visit my eurovision website .. www.freewebs.com/xeurovisionx THANKYOU! xxx
From Noah, MOLDOVA
Added 18:6:38 2005-5-24
I asked so many persons...They all voted for Romania. I don't understand why just 7 points...
Let us say one more time and trust me that it's not the way people voted...There is a story behind this story...
Traiasca Romania mare!!!
From Adrian, MOLDOVA
Added 12:48:30 2005-5-24
Luminita and Sistem were very good ,but Z&Z was better.Anyway moldovians are crazy( to give 10 points tu Russia!!!)and to romania only 7 .Ne cerem scuze fata de romani!!!
From Adrian, MOLDOVA
Added 12:48:2 2005-5-24
Luminita and Sistem were very good ,but Z&Z was better.Anyway moldovians are crazy( to give 10 points tu Russia!!!)and to romania only 7 .Ne cerem scuze fata de romani!!!
From Claudia, CANADA
Added 9:21:58 2005-5-24
I followed the national selections for Romania and sorry guys, but the band you chose was awful.Loredana with "Le Le" or Nico and Mihai Traistariu were way better.If they had gone to Kiev, maybe Romania would have won.Again, nothing against Luminita but the song was cheese,lot of screaming and smoke.Better luck next time.
From Kiki, GREECE
Added 18:5:54 2005-5-23
Awesome dance song. Incredible! I'm so glad you did well!!!
=D
From Florin, ROMANIA
Added 11:52:7 2005-5-23
I liked Moldova more than others, I thaought that Romania will be behind Moldova. Anayway 3rd position is great.
I have some reserves about the corectness of Moldavian vote, only 7 point for Romania, the rest for Russia, Ukraine, hmm, some political manipulations of teh televoting??. It is hard to belive that a romanian country (Moldavians = romanians + some russofone minorities) has gives less points to Romania than Hungary and Spain & Portugal (with their romanian minorities)...
From Aleksandr, UNITED STATES
Added 7:25:56 2005-5-23
I am together with Noah regarding the fact that Moldova gave only 7 points to Romania! Outrageous. I think Moldova was trying to be less political, which is strange. But they gave 10 points to Russia (so they don't turn off the gas) :) Well, Romania's song ROCKS and I'm listening to it every day!! Love your country, guys. Hope to visit it again soon!!!! Salut
From Nastya, ISRAEL
Added 1:57:54 2005-5-23
Romania was realy good, i don't understand why they don't get the 1-st place, but there was somesting that reminded me Benassis' motives:)
Moldova was on the level, and Shiri also, Greece wasn't the best i'm very disappointed about the results.....
From Krutas, MOLDOVA
Added 23:55:14 2005-5-22
Hey, neighbours, your show was awsome! I wonder why Moldova gave you only 7 points. Well, anyway, i'm listening to this song over and over again! It's much more pleasant than Greek one.
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Romania
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