:: Eurovision 24 :: Oslo 2010

Although more famous for its Formula 1 grand prix race track, San Marino is one of the last European countries never to have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, it seems that this could change in the next few years - Sammarinese broadcaster SMRTV has confirmed to esctoday.com that they are watching the Eurovision project with a possible participation in mind. SMRTV considered joining in 2007, but its stockholders, many of whom are related to Italian broadcaster RAI, decided not to support the idea. Whether they will have changed their minds in a year seems unlikely, but SMRTV is aiming to participate at some point over the next few years, according to a spokesperson for the broadcaster. San Marino is a tiny country surrounded entirely by Italy, and is often reported as being the world's oldest republic. Success for microstates has happened in the past - Monaco won in 1971, for example, and Malta has had 4 top 3 placings to date, the most recent coming in 2005 when

Svante Stockselius, the executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, visited Belgrade to meet with RTS officials with regards to the preparations for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest that will be held in the Serbian capital. Svante visited Belgrade to meet with RTS officials and inspect the possible venues for the contest. He visited the Belgrade Arena, home of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, the Sava Centar (where Serbian national finals are held) and the Expo Center, likely to host the Press Center and the Fan Center respectively in 2008. Mr Stockselius stated that he is satisfied with the size of the Arena "It is the perfect size, not to large, not too small, we need a certain amount of intimacy", he said. He also said that he is satisfied with the way preparations have begun. "Serbia is on the right track" Svante told the press " you have a good team of people working on the project. But there is a lot of work to be done until May". [ESC Toda

After we mentioned yesterday the uncertainty over continued Czech participation, the Czech broadcaster, CT, wrote on its site eurosong.cz that the Czech Republic will be present at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, despite a last place on their debut in the 2007 semi final. The Czech Republic will send its second entry to the Contest in 2008, where they will have to start in the semi again due to a non-qualification this year with Kabát, one of the country's top bands. Whether Kabát's 1 point will put off other famous Czech artists for next year remains to be seen. As yet, there is no news over how the Czech entry will be chosen for 2008.

Many rumours have been circulating on the Internet about the possible withdrawal of several countries for 2008, one of the most popular ones being Malta. However, the Maltese broadcaster has confirmed today that Malta will be present in Belgrade, despite having to start in the semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest for the second consecutive year. Estonia, who have so far failed to qualify on every single occasion since the semi final was introduced, will also be playing in Belgrade, although ETV are considering their options for Eurolaul, the national final. Montenegro, who failed to qualify in 2007 on their first attempt as an independent state, have also confirmed their presence in Serbia. The continued participation of the Czech Republic, however, is more of a confusing matter. After coming last with only one point on their first ever participation, with one of the country's most successful bands, it is as yet unknown whether Czech broadcaster CT will be willing to finance a

The charm free zone that is Eurovision winner Marija Serifovic has upset the Finnish press by having a pop at her Helsinki hosts. a recent ill-judged press conference, the singer whined about the food during her stay in the country, claiming she survived on biscuits and fruit. Closet hopping Marija went on to say that she hated her time in Helsinki surrounded by blondes and people with what she called 'transparent skin'. It repulsed her physically she added. was however grateful for the twelve points awarded her Balkan production line ballad 'Molvita'. Journalists sat open-mouthed at her tirade which she later tried to pass off as an attempt at a joke.

RTE, the Irish broadcaster, has decided to go ahead as planned with an one-hour special on Dervish, the group that represented the country in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest ending up last with 5 points from Albania. decision has triggered off more criticism from the local press that complains now both about the choice of Dervish as well as the production of the forthcoming show. This is a hard time for Dervish. The group’s performance on the night of the final is considered to have been “disastrous” and demands are being made by fans for RTE to change the way their Eurovision entries are selected. Caroline Crawford of the Irish Independent reports that the Irish public: “demands to know why TV bosses thought a traditional band singing about the former Czechoslovakia was likely to win a pop competition.” RTE also faces criticism on their decision to go on with the pre-commisioned TV special on Dervish. The show had been obviously agreed upon prior to the contest, the same as last