About Netherlands...

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: 22
Position in Semi Final: 20th

Points in Final: Failed to qualify
Position in Final: Failed to qualify
More about the 2006 result for Netherlands

2007 Contest: Must compete in Semi Final

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History (1956 to 2005)

Netherlands's previous appearances: 46 year(s) out of 50 [note]
Years participated: 1956-1984; 1986-1990; 1992-1994; 1996-2001; 2003- [note]
Best result: 1st (1957, 1959, 1969, 1975)

One of the original Eurovision countries, the Netherlands managed four victories in the first twenty years (such as Lenny Kuhr's forgettable 'De Troubadour' in 1969), but have had nothing since their last victory in 1975. Perhaps the country is being punished for inflicting Teach-In's 'Ding Dinge Dong' upon the rest of Europe?

The country's record since televoting has not given much hope of a fifth victory - the wonderful Edsilia Rombley came a creditable 4th in 1998, but since then it's been downhill all the way with 8th place in 1999, 13th in 2000 (despite being a favourite prior to the contest), and a dismal 18th in 2001.

Having to miss 2002 through relegation, the Netherlands returned in 2003. There were great hopes for the Dutch entry, Esther Hart's 'One more night', with many predicting its victory. In truth, it was a rather ordinary song that sounded very similar to 1999's 'One good reason'; being the first song after the advert break (when many televoters are still in the kitchen or bathroom) probably didn't help. Ending up a disappointing 13th, the Netherlands just missed out on an automatic Final place, and had to compete in the 2004 Semi Final. The country's song that year - 'Without you', performed by Re-union - did surprisingly well in the Semi Final by finishing 6th with 146 points, before slumping dramatically to 20th with 11 points in the Final - a most bizarre result, given that the order of the top ten songs in the Semi Final (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10, obviously) was generally echoed in their Final placings (2-1-3-7-5-20-9-12-13-14). One can only assume that the Netherlands benefitted from performing last in the Semi Final, though this doesn't really account for - to give an example - Ireland awarding the Netherlands its 12 points in the Semi Final, but nothing at all three days later! Whatever the explanation, the Netherlands found itself in the Semi Final for the second successive year.

In 2005, hopes were high for Glennis Grace and ''My impossible dream', a stunning ballad recalling Whitney Houston circa 1992. Most people had assumed that Glennis would qualify for the Final failrly easily, and these expectations were reinforced by a great performance -Glennis looked stunning in a white dress, was strong vocally, and the whole act benefited from a simple presentation with just Glennis on the stage, and no unnecessary distractions in the form of dancers or backing singers. Sadly, it was not enough, 53 points securing a disappointing 15th place, once again condemning the Dutch to the Semi Final in 2006. Seven years after the Netherlands' last top ten placing, and over 30 since the country's last victory, one can only hope that 2006 brings greater success - 2006 is rumoured to be make or break for the Dutch, with the possibility that the country will withdraw from the 2007 Contest is a good result is not achieved. Of course, it all depends on the choice of song...
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: 17
Position in Final draw: Failed to qualify

What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"All-girl trio Treble will represent the Netherlands in Athens, performing their own composition 'Amanbanda'. There are inevitable comparisons with 'Sanomi' in the song's use of made-up language (plus English), but it's certainly distinctive both as a song and as a presentation, with the girls kneeling at the front of the stage to play their bongos and guitars. On the downside, 'Amanbanda' is rather repetitive, and the three minutes feel like longer. I'm really not sure whether this will make the Final, but all credit to the Dutch for trying something different after last year's safe ballad failed to deliver the expected success. "

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What I predicted...

My prediction for Semi Final: 20th to 22nd
My prediction for Final: Will not qualify
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:
"So, what will Europe make of 'Sanomibanda'? If nothing else, it provides a good contrast with the Finnish entry that precedes it, and it's a nice entry - memorable, different and enthusiastically performed by three attractive girls. Unfortunately, given the competition for ten qualifying places I just can't see the Netherlands making it, but there's always an outside chance that Treble could pull off a surprise. Who knows, maybe its easygoing charm will prove appealing, sandwiched between the excesses of Lordi and LT United?"
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 Netherlands are shown in the tables below:

Points awarded to Netherlands overall:
AL	0	HR	0	GR	0	MK	5	PL	0	ES	0
AD	3	CY	0	IS	0	MT	0	PT	0	SE	0
AM	0	DK	0	IE	0	MD	0	RO	0	CH	0
BY	0	EE	0	IL	0	MC	3	RU	0	TR	0
BE	5	FI	0	LV	0	NL	X	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: 16, from 4/39 juries
Position: 26 out of 37

Points awarded to Netherlands in the Semi Final:
AL	0	HR	3	GR	0	MK	7	PL	0	ES	0
AD	5	CY	5	IS	2	MT	0	PT	0	SE	0
AM	0	DK	0	IE	0	MD	6	RO	0	CH	0
BY	0	EE	0	IL	0	MC	7	RU	3	TR	4
BE	8	FI	0	LV	0	NL	X	CS	0	UA	0
BA	0	FR	0	LT	0	NO	0	SI	0	UK	0
BG	4	DE	1	WO	0	Last updated: 18 May 2006 Next scheduled update: None
Total points: 55, from 12/39 juries
Position: 14 out of 23

Points awarded to Netherlands in the Final:
AL	0	HR	0	GR	0	MK	0	PL	0	ES	0
AD	0	CY	0	IS	0	MT	0	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	X	CS	0	UA	0
BA	0	FR	0	LT	0	NO