UK & World News
- 25 May 2012, 17:03
Eurovision Contest: Spain 'Told Not To Win'
As Engelbert Humperdinck aims for a UK victory at the Eurovision song contest this weekend, one country is actually hoping it does NOT win.
Spain's entrant has admitted it would be best if she did not score top marks at the competition as the country would struggle financially to host next year's event.
Singer Pastora Soler told ABC Punto Radio: "If we won, I think it would be impossible to stage the next edition because it costs so much money."
In the lead-up to this year's contest in Baku, Azerbaijan, violent clashes between police and protesters have broken out with 40 people arrested.
The activists are demanding the release of political prisoners and the resignation of the government.
But even within the competition, entrants are worrying about the political and financial problems in their own countries.
Contest rules state that the public broadcaster of the nation that wins must host the following year.
Spanish singer Soler, whose latest album got to number three in her country's charts, will sing her ballad Quedate Conmigo (Stay With Me).
Directors from Spain's broadcaster, TVE, sent a joke message to her, saying: "Please, don't win!"
The 33-year-old singer told the AFP news agency: "I think it is not the moment, neither for Spain nor for the Spanish public, to win Eurovision."
Spain has won the competition twice, in 1968 and 1969.
On Thursday evening the line-up for the contest was finalised with 26 nations competing in Saturday's live contest.
Alongside veteran singer Humperdinck, Irish twins Jedward are also through to the final with their song Waterline.
Bookmakers William Hill currently have Sweden's entry, Loreen, favourite to win at 5/4 with Russia's singing grannies 5/1 and Serbia and Italy both 10/1.
The UK last won Eurovision in 1997 with Katrina And The Waves' song Love Shine A Light.
Update:
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what do you think?
Stuart Harley
...I dont think they have any chance of our goverment resigning.....!!
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Joan Burgess
Funny but boring!
ian
8 out of 10 cats is not too bad but you have good point.
keith harrison
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Neil C
Wow!! Bet we do win. Just our luck, europe will vote in our favour this time round just to s h a f t us. We don't need another merry go round event when we are in the mire upto to our necks. Chin chin
Gavin Nellis
I think its safe to say uk are not going to win.what were we thinking sending this silly old fool to represent us,the song once again is awful and humpernickel has sertainly not been having vocal lessons for a few years im ashamed to say he represents our country
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Gordon Wright
I can tolerate Engelbert, I can put up with half a dozen Grannies representing an Easter republic but whose idea was it to include the twin irritants Jedward?. That really is having a laugh at the licence payers expense !!. It's almost as if some committee sat down and said "just how bad can we make this contest before the fools turn off their tv sets in droves"?.
emmy_92
I agree the fact that they got through instead of Israel who had a really catchy tune that I've been singing along to in my head all day annoys me. Fair enough people may say they're in the wrong era but it doesn't stop it from being good.
Joan Burgess
Its no longer a straight forward song contest. Its all political with Countries who are in the same bloc voting for each other. Its a real con to call it a contest.
Eric Phoenix
It's always been more about politics than actual singing. While many countries are struggling with debts, contests like this should be cancelled for a number years until Countries are out of debit. It can only be good that Engelbert is singing for the UK... we do not stand a chance of winning, hence will not put ourselves further into debt. Phewww :)
emmy_92
I think you will find that that UK is one of the 5 main countries of Europe, we're automatically in the final because it's one of the main finance providers along with France, Germany, Spain and Italy. So yes, a lot money is still going towards it whether we win or not.
Mike Drouin
emmy 92 absoblutly right !!
Keith Brunsdon
Its about time we pulled ouit of this "so called competition" for at least the last ten years the result has been politically swayed. Good songs have failed to win to the benefit of songs voted for by political Blocs. If the BBC pulled out of Eurovision then the competition would disappear overnight, and our money could be spent on decent programming rather than the claptrap that is currently screened. If the rest of Europe wants to carry on with the show then let them do so at their own expense and not ours.
David Wragg
Well said!
Mike Drouin
BLIARS action in IRAC was the final blow for the UK we used to do quite well up to that point who can blame any country not likeing us
David Wragg
What a farce! As Keith says below, it is politically swayed, with countries viting for their neighbours or the bullies on the block, Russia and Germany. Of course, the Spanish could always have an austerity Eurovision, held in an old bull ring. Frankly, it is one of the most boring nights on television onbly enlivened by the sarcasm of our presenter. The official Eurovision presenters are simply awful - amateur doesn't do them justice.
emmy_92
If it's so boring why waste your time reading the article and commenting about it?
Sarah Rudman
Emmy-92,agree with you.David,I think you'll find that there are people who like Eurovision and yes,some of the songs may be bad and voting politically biased but it is fun. I have actually been to see the contest live and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! The atmosphere is friendly,good natured and people just put aside the political problems in Europe and just enjoy themselves. Don't you think in these miserable times that Europe is experiencing at the moment that people are entitled to have the opportunity to enjoy something light-hearted? As Emmy said,if you don't like Eurovision,then why take the time to write about it?
Tina Nunn
About time we pulled out of this "show". And we surely won't win with Englebert's song. Its so slow and boring. Sorry Eng. You used to be my mums favorite singer when she was alive. And I grew up with his songs. But this one is just soo wrong for Eurovision...
Tony Quantrill
I think the UK entry is probably bad enough to win it. Lol
Cleone Parr
Well it will be a laugh anyway, think it stopped being a contest years ago. We dont have a chance of winning as we dont have any neighbours near us that love us. So it will be the same shambles of voting again. We should bow out of it but BBC wont as they would have to find another programme to put on instead and that would be a lot of hard work for them and they wouldnt like that. One good thing about it - it wont be a repeat for a change !!!
barry
Been a standing joke for years , now just degrading.
Paul Tinker
Since when was Israel ion Europe? Come to think of it since when were half of these countries part of the EU. Oh yes! Since Blair took office. Poor old Mr Dawsey....doesn't stand a chance. Because all the votes will be decided by some Russian Puppet master telling each other to vote for anyone but the biggest invester in the competition. Sorry! Did I say competition. That would imply every entrant had an equal chance to win. NIL PWON
Nick Eaton
2:33pm on 25/5/2012
what a sensible thing to do ,shame we dont do the same,mind you dont think we stand much chance anyway .