About Finland...

2006 Result
History (1956 to 2005)
This year's entry
What I predicted...
What you thought...
What actually happened...
What the bookies thought...

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2006 Result

Points in Semi Final: 292
Position in Semi Final: 1st

Points in Final: 292
Position in Final: 1st
More about the 2006 result for Finland

2007 Contest: 2006 Winner - Directly qualified for Final

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History (1956 to 2005)

Finland's previous appearances: 39 year(s) out of 50 [note]
Years participated: 1961-1969; 1971-1994; 1996; 1998; 2000; 2002; 2004- [note]
Best result: 6th (1973)

For a country that's participated in Eurovision quite so many times, Finland really does have a dismal record. It has only once reached the heights of 6th place (even then over 30 years ago, in 1973, with the rather silly 'Tom tom tom'), and last managed a top ten placing in 1989. Worse, between 1994 and 2002, Finland had the distinction of only participating in the even-numbered years (94, 96, 98, 00, 02), having managed to get relegated on every occasion, with its 'highlight' being a 15th place in 1998.

Having missed 2003 through relegation, the Semi Final fomat introduced in 2004 has at least allowed Finland to take part every year, though not yet with much success to show for it. In 2004, the country could only manage 14th place with Jari Sillanpää and his disturbing dance moves, despite 'Takes 2 to tango' being quite highly rated prior to the Contest. Participating in the Semi Final again in 2005, Geir Rönning gave a classy performance of 'Why', but once again it was not enough to gain Finland that elusive place in the Final, meaning that the Semi Final beckons once again in 2006.
Get 'The Eurovision Song Contest: The Offical History' at Amazon.co.uk

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This year's entry

Position in Semi Final draw: 16
Position in Final draw: 17

What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Finland's Eurovision Laulukilpailu final took place on 10 March, with Lordi - what Wikipedia describes as a "melodic theatrical heavy-rock band" - easily winning the chance to represent their country in Athens with the song 'Hard rock hallelujah'. Lordi's unique selling point is its bizarre image, with each band member taking the character of a different monster, complete with bloodthirsty costumes. Thus you have Amen "the unstoppable mummy", Enary "the manipulative Valkyrie", Kalma "the biker-zombie from hell" and Kita "the alien manbeast", all led by Lordi himself, "the hulk of hell" who looks like a Klingon. Apparently the band refuse to be seen or interviewed out of character, meaning that Athens faces the rather bizarre prospect of Lordi meeting up with fellow Semi Finalist Silvía Nótt, the former in character as monsters and the latter in character as an outrageous celebrity.

Notwithstanding all the gimmicks, 'Hard rock hallelujah' is really rather enjoyable, an anthemic slice of hard rock with a chorus that wouldn't put Jim Steinman (responsible for many of Meat Loaf's hits) to shame. The song might not be to everyone's taste, but no-one can deny it's different and memorable, visually and vocally. After years of underachievement, Finland has surely given itself a fighting chance of making the Eurovision Final in 2006 - and about time too! "

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What I predicted...

My prediction for Semi Final: 3rd to 5th
My prediction for Final: Definite qualifier; 10th to 12th
See all my predictions for the 2006 Semi Final
See all my predictions for the 2006 Final

What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"Hard rock hallelujah' may divide opinion among the Eurovision fans, but there's no disputing that Lordi's preview video is one of the best this year, and we know from the Finnish national final that the whole monster thing is equally startling on stage. It's striking, memorable and completely different, and if it fails to qualify I'll be amazed.

Once in the Final, the novelty of ''Hard rock hallelujah' is likely to wear off a little, particularly among those viewers who have already seen it in the Semi. However, I do think Finland will be challenging for a place in the top ten of the Final, and stands an outside chance of bettering its 1973 high of 6th place. "
Want an alternative prediction? See Simon Hylands' 'Je t'adore, Eurovision!' site

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What you thought...

View the final leader board

In the run up to the Contest, 1,721 visitors to this site awarded points to their favourite songs in the Soult.com Eurovision Jury Vote 2006, voting as a representative of their own country's 'jury'. The votes awarded by representatives of each country were totalled, with each of the 38 participating countries (plus the 'Rest of the World') then awarding points - 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - based on the overall voting preference of its representatives. The points awarded to the entry from Finland are shown in the tables below:

Points awarded to Finland overall:
AL	0	HR	0	GR	0	MK	0	PL	0	ES	0
AD	0	CY	0	IS	12	MT	1	PT	0	SE	5
AM	0	DK	0	IE	0	MD	0	RO	0	CH	0
BY	0	EE	12	IL	0	MC	0	RU	0	TR	0
BE	4	FI	X	LV	0	NL	0	CS	0	UA	0
BA	0	FR	0	LT	1	NO	5	SI	0	UK	0
BG	0	DE	0	WO	0	Last updated: 18 May 2006 Next scheduled update: None
Total points: 40, from 7/39 juries
Position: 15 out of 37

Points awarded to Finland in the Semi Final:
AL	2	HR	0	GR	1	MK	0	PL	0	ES	4
AD	0	CY	1	IS	12	MT	6	PT	0	SE	7
AM	2	DK	1	IE	3	MD	0	RO	0	CH	0
BY	0	EE	12	IL	3	MC	4	RU	0	TR	1
BE	7	FI	X	LV	4	NL	3	CS	0	UA	0
BA	4	FR	0	LT	6	NO	6	SI	4	UK	0
BG	0	DE	0	WO	0	Last updated: 18 May 2006 Next scheduled update: None
Total points: 93, from 21/39 juries
Position: 8 out of 23

Points awarded to Finland in the Final:
AL	0	HR	0	GR	0	MK	0	PL	0	ES	0
AD	0	CY	0	IS	12	MT	1	PT	0	SE	5
AM	0	DK	0	IE	0	MD	0	RO	0	CH	0
BY	0	EE	12	IL	0	MC	0	RU	0	TR	0
BE	5	FI	X	LV	1	NL	0	CS	0	UA	0
BA	0	FR	0	LT	2	NO	5	SI	0	UK