About Malta...

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: N/A
Position in Semi Final: N/A

Points in Final: 1
Position in Final: 24th
More about the 2006 result for Malta

2007 Contest: Must compete in Semi Final

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History (1956 to 2005)

Malta's previous appearances: 18 year(s) out of 50 [note]
Years participated: 1971-1972; 1975; 1991- [note]
Best result: 2nd (2002, 2005)

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.

2005 represented both the welcome return of an old face and a welcome return to form, with Chiara - seeking to better her 3rd place from 1998 - giving a stunning performance of her self-penned 'Angel'. 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. No-one has yet managed the feat three times, though Sweden's Carola will have a chance if she wins the 2006 Melodifestivalen as many predict. 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. Never mind, though - perhaps 2006 will finally be Malta's year?
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: N/A
Position in Final draw: 7

What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"After its excellent result in 2005, Malta can be forgiven for once again going back to the future in 2006. This year's returner is the 24-year-old Fabrizio Faniello, singing for Malta in Athens five years after finishing 9th in Copenhagen with the frothy but inconsequential 'Another summer night'. Fortunately, Fabrizio's 2006 song feels like a much stronger effort, with 'I do' boasting a soaring summery chorus and what must be the catchiest hook ("cause I do, I do, I do") of this year's Contest. It might not be the most original song in this year's Contest, but it's certainly got an instant appeal. There is also a significant totty factor - Fabrizio has the advantage of being a rather attractive young man, hence the extensive gallery on his website featuring lots of brooding poses and tastefully exposed flesh.

Meanwhile, 'Spare a moment' for the runner-up to Fabrizio, Olivia Lewis, participating - incredibly - for the tenth consecutive year in the Malta Song for Europe, with 2006 the third year in a row that she has finished a tantalisingly close 2nd (her full record, if you're really interested, is 7th in 1997, 15th in 1998, 7th in 1999, 5th and 9th in 2000, 7th and 10th in 2001, 11th in 2002, 6th in 2003, 2nd in 2004, 2nd in 2005 and now 2nd in 2006). Never mind Olivia, love, maybe you can be the interval act at next year's Eurovision in Valletta?"

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What I predicted...

My prediction for Semi Final: N/A
My prediction for Final: 6th to 8th
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:
"For me, the lack of support for the Maltese song has been one of the surprises of the last couple of months, with Fabrizio hovering around 12th or 13th out of 37 in the Soult.com Eurovision Jury Vote 2006, and with the bookmakers' odds drifting as low as 80-1. I think this underestimates the Maltese chances, particularly given that Fabrizio managed to finish 9th in 2001 with a song that I feel was much inferior to 'I do'. This year, we have a catchy song that sticks in your head after one listen, performed by probably the best looking male in the Contest who we already know is an experienced and engaging live performer. Indeed, every time I hear this song, I'm reminded of how surprisingly good it is - it sounds for all the world like a potential Eurovision winner. If it wasn't for some niggling doubts over whether Fabrizio can pull it off live, and the fact that there are so many other strong contenders this year, I'd say that Malta might be in with a chance. In any event, I've placed my £2 each-way bet at 80-1 and will pick up £160 if Malta manages to finish in the top four of the Final. I reckon it could happen..."
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 Malta are shown in the tables below:

Points awarded to Malta overall:
AL	0	HR	4	GR	2	MK	0	PL	0	ES	2
AD	0	CY	10	IS	0	MT	X	PT	0	SE	4
AM	0	DK	0	IE	3	MD	6	RO	6	CH	3
BY	0	EE	0	IL	3	MC	0	RU	0	TR	0
BE	0	FI	0	LV	0	NL	0	CS	0	UA	10
BA	0	FR	0	LT	3	NO	0	SI	0	UK	5
BG	0	DE	0	WO	1	Last updated: 18 May 2006 Next scheduled update: None
Total points: 62, from 14/39 juries
Position: 12 out of 37

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

Points awarded to Malta in the Final:
AL	0	HR	4	GR	2	MK	0	PL	0	ES	2
AD	0	CY	10	IS	0	MT	X	PT	1	SE	4
AM	0	DK	0	IE	3	MD	7	RO	6	CH	3
BY	0	EE	0	IL	3	MC	0	RU	0	TR	0
BE	0	FI	0	LV	0	NL	0	CS	0	UA	12
BA	0	FR