USC enters Extravaganza

USC to compete in Online Music Extravaganza
Online Music Extravaganza is an online contest, where managers send the best three 2007 entries of their contest. USC will compete with these three songs, which were 3 winners during 2007:

Sonja Aldén - För att du finns : Sweden : Spring Edition 2007 : 1st (41 participants with semi) Player: Swedish TEAM, Hampus & Jörgen 158 pts

Tamta - With love : Greece : Summer Edition 2007 : 1st (38 participants with semi) Player : Babis 210 pts

Celine Dion - Á cause : Luxembourg : Autumn Edition 2007 : 1st ( 37 participants with semi) Player : Yannick 140 pts

The semi-finals of Online Music Extravaganza will be probably held in February, while the final takes place in March. Along with the managers, all members from all contests are allowed to vote.

A big name for Spain

The Spanish Delegation has announced a big name for the Winter Edition, due to the last position in the Autumn Final. "We must change a lot of things for not repeating the bottom", said the Spanish chief. "May be, the best way for winning is a big name, a very representative Spanish singer or group that make us dream with a new Top 5". In fact, Spain didn't reach a good position since the 3rd place of Rebeca in USC Summer 2006, long time ago... One of the favourites for representing Spain is D'Nash with his new single, Amanda, but the Spanish Delegation doesn't want to say anything yet about it. We will wait for news in a few weeks. "We promise an important singer and a good song".

MELOSONGFESTIVALEN GRAND PRIX

Hello USC Members!

As you all know we have already enjoyed all the 4 editions of United Song Contest 2007. You have been able to hear 84 Swedish Song along these seasons. In Winter and Summer we had a 10-songs-edition and we had a full-32-songs-edition in Spring and Autumn.

We think it's time to make a review of all of them. To make it easy, we would like to invite all European Juries to vote for the BEST song and singer of the year.

We have created several categories:

• Best Swedish song at USC
• Best Swedish Performer at USC
• Best Swedish Performance at USC
• Best Male Soloist at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Female Soloist at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Duett at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Group at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Male Song at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Female Song at Melosongfestivalen
• Best Edition of Melosongfestivalen
• Best Non-Swedish Artist at Melosongfestivalen
• Best International Song at USC

You have to fill in the FORM by choosing one option from each category and finally lick on SUBMIT after writing your Name, the Country you are playing with at USC and your eail adress.(IF IT'S NOT WRITEN, THE VOTES WILL NOT BE VALID)

You an vote untill DECEMBER 28th. The results will be announced on December 30th on Melosongfestivalen's Official Website.

Thank you very much,
Swedish Team

BY THE WAY: IN FEW DAYS, A NEW SURPRISE WILL BE GIVEN...STAY TUNED!

ORF welcomes the new management - and says thanks to Liza & Jörgen

ORF, on behalf of the whole Austrian public, wants to welcome the new management! Greg, Babis and Alan: we wish you good luck, good nerves and also a lot of fun for your new tasks. ORF wants to say that it is very satisfied with the new managers, and strongly believes that they will continue the success of USC. Austria guarantees participation in all 4 regular editions of 2008.

Furthermore ORF wants to say thanks to the passing management, Liza and Jörgen. You have built an amazing online contest - for me, Mack, the best that I have ever seen. Because it is not just an online contest with songs and results - it is a community, where the players meet and talk with each other, whether in the chatroom or in MSN. I have met so many wonderful persons here and I don't want to miss that. No matter if we had fun, if we argued or if we just talked about our passion. A wonderful community has grown, and you can be proud of that!

I hope that we will see you often in the USC chat, also when you won't be managers anymore. I am honored that I could have been active member at least for 2 editions under your management.

And for now I say: Tack så mycket, Liza och Jörgen!

GREECE IS FAVOURITE IN SOTY

Here are the line up for SOTY 2007 and with only 12 countries competing there are many songs from same country. Greece has got full house with 4 songs, Sweden got 3 songs, Latvia, Norway and Andorra has 2 songs each. Good Luck everyone. SOTY is opened for voting for everyone in USC. Tamta is considered a favourite with here 210p in summer edition.

NEW MANAGEMENT 2008

A new Management will take over USC in 2008. USC News are the first to make the announcement of the new managers.

Computer shutdown in half of UBU Sweden

50% of the Swedish UBU office has suffered from a major computer server crash and many things are not as it should be at Georgies office. For at least 2 weeks, maybe more, there will be no contact with his office nor his soulseek connection. But the French UBU section is fully operating now again (after 5?) weeks of offline situation. And the other 50% of Swedish UBU is still online for now. We hope you can bare with us. Georgie has been granted hotmail access to the Royal Castle "Tre kronor" to install the voting counting system for backup. But as usual there is a 3 independent calculation stations for 100% accuracy in voting. Semifinal votes will be needed at latest this sunday the November 11th at midnight.

THESSALONIKI WELCOMES EUROPE

Kalispera Europa

ERT and Greece is now ready to welcome Europe for United Song Contest 2007 Autumn Edition. With this video the Autumn Edition starts for real. This Friday the 2nd of November at 20:00 we will have the official USC Draw show from Thessaloniki. (Directly after there will be results of the USC 1990 history contest as video show). After the draw show we are set to start receiving the votes for the 18 competing countries in the semifinal (To be sent before November 11th).

Semifinal Friday 16th of November.
Final voting period: 17th Nov - 25th Nov
Final Saturday 1st of December.

Dutch song for 2007 Autumn is known!

The winner of the dutch national final is known:

Kees Kraayenoord - God of the moon and stars 43
Wolter Kroes - Niet normaal (Not normal) 38
Sharon Kips - Is it love you're after 34
Delain - See me in shadow 31
Valensia - Millennium 30
Nick & Simon - Kijk Omhoog (Head up) 30
Jan Smit - Boom Boom bailando 29
Anita Meyer - Idaho 27
Sarah - Ik laat me gaan [akoestische versie] (I let myself go) 27
Ps. Voor Nu - Wat hou ik van uw huis (How I love your home) 16


As Wolter Kroes refused to go to 2ndC (overall he's considered a bad loser) Sharon Kips will represent the Netherlands with her song "Is it love you're after"


In the meantime preparations for the Winter edition are at full speed.
see also: http://netherlands2007usc.blogspot.com/

LAST PERFORMANCE OF TOSE

In honour of Toše Proeski we give you his last performance live. Toše Proeski - Igri bez granici - Gradski Stadion. He is representing FYROM in USC Autumn Edition as a celebration to his contribution to the art of music.

UBU in trouble over Thessaloniki

UBU Team flight to Thessaloniki yesterday was a bit dangerous due to bad weather. One engine stopped working but landing was without any major trouble. The bad weather in Thessaloniki is very surprising one of the UBU members said and was wondering if this can really be good for greek tourist industry to have USC here in late autumn. "Well", Mr Babis said as he welcomed the inspection delegation at the airport, "We will have the USC Autumn final in beginning of the winter actually, December 1st so it is not so hot here by then. But no matters, we are ready"- The inspection tour around teh Arena and teh artists facilities will continue during the next days. It is said that once the inspection arrives in an USC town everything has already been at a stage of "Ready steady go" for a while. No major concerns are to be revealed this time either USC News believes but you never know. This is the first time Thessaloniki organise a Contest of this size. Welcome to Thessa all.

Dutch Preselections 1997 & 2007-4 final

These ten songs are selected to compete in NL NF for the 2007 autumn USC:


01 Jan Smit - Boom Boom bailando
02 Valensia - Millennium
03 Sarah - Ik laat me gaan [akoestische versie]
04 Wolter Kroes - Niet normaal
05 Ps. Voor Nu - Wat hou ik van uw huis
06 Kees Kraayenoord - God of the moon and stars
07 Anita Meyer - Idaho
08 Nick & Simon - Kijk Omhoog
09 Delain - See me in shadow
10 Sharon Kips - Is it love you're after

voting is 12-1 esc style
via rollercoasterslow@hotmail.com
deadline to vote 27th of October
http://netherlands2007usc.blogspot.com/


1997 preselection:

The 1997 preselection is filled with 15 very different songs. From the rocky Anouk (pictured), via the infamous danceroutine hype called 'gabber' from the Party Animals to ballads like "World without you" and the say-farewell-to-grantdad-Schlager (debut) by Jan Smit (then called little Jan in dutch: Jantje)


2 Brothers on the 4th floor - I'm thinkin' of U
Anouk - Nobody's wife
B.Z.N. - Mother
Close 2 You - Baby Don't Go
Close 2 You - Nice And Nasty
Frans Bauer en Marianne Weber - De regenboog
Guus Meeuwis & Vagant - Verliefd zijn
Jan Smit - Ik zing dit lied voor jou alleen
Katja Schuurman - Wereldmeid
Marco Borsato & Trijntje Oosterhuis - Wereld Zonder Jou
Party Animals - Have you ever been Mellow
Ruth Jacott - Hartslag
T Spoon - Sex on the beach
The Sunclub - Fiesta
Volumia! - Het is over

http://hebbuzz.blogspot.com/
Voting procedure is ESC-style, votes to be cast by email (rollercoasterslow@hotmail.com) or in the soulseek chatroom.

ITALIAN SONG READY

The quick cancellation of the Italian voting process has caused a tremendous outcry within RAI and some high executives has claimed in public that Mr GeorgieFree has seen his last day at RAI television and that he is no longer welcome there.

- "We would cancel the whole National final if it wasn't for the winning artists, whom we respect the deepliest, and to respect to teh International jurys that did vote in Italian final. We could not embarrass ourself like Greece do. So we will send The winners to Thessaloniki and the runner up to USC 2nd chance."

- "So who did win?"

- "We must go make preparations for a new manager for Italy in USC. Bye bye"

- "But what if you do not find one?"

- "Then Italy will not be in USC. It is simply unbelievable that such a thing could happen. All these fantastic ballads now can not go out to Europe...it is ....too much"

After this the Italian delegation held a press conference where they interviewed one of the winners. Here is the short video exstact from that interview:
INTERVIEW RAI 1



THE WINNING PERFORMANCE - LIVE RAI 1



Full results and individual votings can be read about HERE

Christina Stürmer wins Austrian NF with "Nie genug"

Christina Stürmer has won the Austrian national final for USC Autumn with her song "Nie genug". She got an amazing amount of 87 points, which is 31 points more than the runner-up Excuse Me Moses with "Butterfly Tree" (56 points). You can see the complete results as well as the winning reprise here.
We wish Christina Stürmer good luck at USC Autumn in Thessaloniki, Greece, where she will participate in the final directly. Mr. Austria wants to thank all 9 USC-members that voted!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE from USC Management

To: USC participants
From: USC Management

Dear United Song Contest Players,
We, the USC Management has an announcement to make. Each and every one of us will write to you individually as well as together. Georgie will start, then Liza and Greg. At the end we have a common message.


“We have been playing for almost two years now and it has been a great pleasure to discover all the fantastic music from all around Europe I have had a great time chatting with all of you over trivial things, and more serious matters or simply just about USC, ESC, and music. But it is time for me to move on to new adventures in life. I will miss this great online game, especially the USC history section, but from January 1st 2008 I will not be in USC Management anymore.”
Jörgen


“Each thing has its own time and it is now time for me to leave USC and hopefully hand over to new enthusiasts.” I also think it has been a pleasure to meet so many new friends and I hope we can still have contact on soulseek in the future.
Liza

“I love USC and will continue to organize and since Liza and Jörgen is leaving I will try to go on on my own for now but I would like to have other people in management also. Send in the application form and contact me personally when I am online again.”
Greg

So,
To conclude, in January the 1st 2008 USC is run by Greg alone, unless a new team can be found to continue to organise and build new contests on the USC history and/or the Editions. Jörgen and Liza would love USC to continue and would of course follow USC but without playing. Simply fill in the application form that can be found here and send to us so we can try to form a new team or simply just talk with greg. Four contests that are up running, USC 1990, Autumn Edition 2007, Song of the year 2007 and USC 1997 will of course be organised by us together and we sincearly hope that all of you will take part in these contests and stay and play under a new management.

Greg, Liza and Jörgen
USC Management

1997: Udo Jürgens returns to USC after 29 years!

The Austrian delegation confirmed that Austria will participate at USC 1997. After weeks of negotiations ORF has finally found a suitable entry for the contest. None other than Udo Jürgens, who came 8th back at USC 1968, will return to the contest after 29 (!) years. Together with the singer Jocelyn B. Smith he will perform the beautiful ballad "Never give up - Gib niemals auf", sung in English and German. Mr. Austria Michael explained that this song perfectly fits to Austria's attitude, because "Austria never gives up, especially not at United Song Contest".

You can listen to a sneak preview (1 minute) here:

Edurne will represent Spain

Edurne will represent Spain in USC Autumn Edition after she won the Spanish National Final Starlife. The song 'Amores Dormidos' (Slept loves) had the 40% of the votes. The song that will compete in Second Chance will be 'Tu peor error' from La Quinta Estación. Marta Sánchez, the favourite for the Spanish Delegation before Starlife, was the last and Era will try again in a USC History Edition.

RESULTS

EDURNE - 40%
LA QUINTA ESTACIÓN - 27%
ERA - 20%
MARTA SÁNCHEZ - 13%

Dutch 1990 entrant: Henk Wijngaard

Henk Wijngaard won the dutch 1990 preselections end will be the dutch entrant with the song "He Suzie" a song in which he sings about his love to come and shelter allthough the thunderstorm is over.

Henk was really glad he won the 1990 edition of the dutch National Final with 26 points

Angela (ex-Dolly Dots) & The Rude came 2nd with 20 points
Lois Lane ended in 3rd position (16) while both Sandra Reemer and Hessel received 15 points. Marco Borsato just finished outside the top 5 with 13 points

7th both Mildred Douglas & René Froger (9)
Anita Meyer and Van Alles We completed the top 10 (8 points)
11th Candy Dulfer (7)
12th BB Queen (6)
Frank Boeyen Groep, De Dijk and Twenty 4 Seven ended with the infamous nil-points

SWEDISH VOTES - RIGA 2007

Do you remember the spring voting and winner?

SVT Production

USC WEBPAGE POPULARITY INCREASES

The webpage of USC has been increasing since the start 19 months ago.

Number of hits has been steadily going upwards.
2006 Win: 160
2006 Spr: 133
2006 Sum: 141
2006 Aut: 268
2006 SOT: 328
2007 Win: 1127
2007 Spr: 1355
2007 Sum: 1277
2007 Aut: 93 (so far)

in history it has been like this:
1956: 123
1975: 103
1987: 220
1995: 284
2000: 297
1968: 270
2002: 568
1990: 127 (so far)
1997: 23 (so far)

Sarah promotes her ballad in the discotheques

Sarah, one of the entrants in the dutch semi finals for the USC 2007 autumn edition, has made a danceversion of the song she's competing with. Her ballad is turned into a suitable track for the discotheques. She expressed to the press, she hopes by releasing this danceversion it will promote her acoustic song in the dancescene and will have a possitive effect on her chances to make it to the final.

First goal is to reach the final in The Netherlands and win. From there I want to conquer all Europe. Her danceversion is already heard in Ibiza and disco's on the greek islands. She also made videoclip to be shown on MTV.

Maxine & Franklin Brown - come back!!

Maxine & Franklin started a big promotion tour to promote their comeback single and hope to qualify for the dutch national selection. They made a video with subtitles....

DJ Ötzi arrested by Malmö police

According to an article in Swedish tabloid paper Aftonbladet DJ Ötzi, the Austrian participant at USC Summer 2007, was arrested by Swedish police in Malmö on Saturday night. The singer was caught by two police-officers about 3 hours after the USC final in front of a popular stripping-bar. DJ Ötzi told to Aftonbladet: "I wanted to join the Greek delegation that celebrated their victory in this pub. However they refused to let me in". What followed was a little fight between DJ Ötzi and Babis gr, head of the Greek delegation. After Greek singer Tamta called the local police, DJ Ötzi was arrested. It was found out that he was very drunk. DJ Ötzi commented that he "fell in love with Swedish beer". On early Sunday morning DJ Ötzi was released so that he could travel back to Vienna, where he will host the Austrian national final for USC Autumn.

Dutch efforts to beat Summersucces by Jeroen (songs for NF known)

The dutch songs trying to qualify for the Autumn 2007 USC NF dutch final are:

Semi A
01 Jan Smit - Boom Boom bailando
02 Djumbo - Eyahe (english version)
03 Petra Berger - Grande amore mio (My big love)
04 Wolter Kroes - Niet normaal (Not normal)
05 Ps. Voor Nu - Wat hou ik van uw huis (How I love your home)
06 Jezebel - Nothing Last Forever
07 DJ Tiesto & BT - Break my fall
08 Valensia - Millennium
09 Delain - See me in shadow
10 Ruth Jacott – Hartslag (Heartbeat)
11 Raffaela - Jouw ogen (Your eyes – lullaby for unborn child)

Semi B
01 Franklin Brown & Maxine - Steeds weer (Over and over again)
02 Delain - Frozen
03 Sarah - Ik laat me gaan [akoestische versie] (I let myself go)
04 Joling & Gordon - Als Je Alles Hebt Gehad (After you’ve head everything)
05 Wolter Kroes - Ik heb de hele nacht liggen dromen (I’ve been dreaming all night long)
06 3J's - Net alsof (Just as if)
07 Anita Meyer - Idaho
08 Nick & Simon - Kijk Omhoog (Head up)
09 Dennis - Today
10 Sharon Kips - Is it love you're after
11 Kees Kraayenoord - God of the moon and stars

Best 5 of each semi qualify for the NF final.

SWEDISH TELEVOTE RESULTS

CONGRATULATIONS GREECE!

Tonight, united Song Contest Summer 2007 FINAL took place in Malmö and Sweden reached the TOP5 once more. Linda Bengtzing got a 4th place with her song "Natten har en hemlighet", getting 100 points. She was very thrilled since she was one of the contestants, along Denmark and Latvia, who had been applaused the most.

Linda Bengtzing was great Live. She had a different performance from Melosongfestivalen, Swedish National Final. She was very applaused since she was the Host Singer

As you all know, Swedish votes are made by 2 juries(One from North Sweden and other from South Sweden). Then they both add their TOP10 and they make a full TOP with all songs taking part.

These are the results from SEMIFINAL:

As you can see, both North and South had the same winner in Televote. The TOP5 from each one received points plus The 9th and 10th from them.

And now, here are the FINAL results:

Now, they both also gave 8 points to the same country, Denmark, who received the 12 points. now we can see some differences. The 12 points from North, FYR Macedonia, only received 3 points in South. The 12 points in South, Germany, did not received any point from North!. However the winner, GREECE, received 10 points from North and 1 points from South, what made it received 7 points.

Then, we'd like to see you all next edition ion Thesalonniki. GOOD LUCK!

CONGRATULATIONS GREECE! CONGRATULATIONS TAMTA!

GREECE - ON TOP OF THE WORLD

After tonights Summer Final of usc, Greece is holding the all time high record (210p) but also went ahead of sweden in total points leauge. But it is not only Greece that has a reason to celebrate tonight. 5 countries, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Netherlands and Austria had their highest score ever in this final. Congratulations! Futhermore, no less than 7 countries made their 2nd highest score of points this time. Congratulations to Andorra, Denmark, Latvia, Lebanon, Moldova and Lithuania!!! Futhermore, Fyr Macedonia and Montenegro reached the final for the first time in this Edition. Congratulations!


Some countries need to contemplate and do some serious evaluation though. Sweden, United Kingdom and Ukraine did their 2nd worst score (of points) in this final, but at least they did qualify for the final and a 4th place would be a dream for most countries. The runner up and previous winner of USC, Ella from Latvia was very happy since she reached this spot after finishing on a 10th place in the semi. Winner of semifinal, France, managed to stay in the top on a 3rd place in final. Russia on the other hand, 2nd in semifinal, lost a lot in the final and mangaed to be just the last and 15th country to get into the next final directly. Thankyou for some great music and once again many congratulations to Tamta and Greece for the magnificent victory. See you all in Thessaloniki December 1st.

PS. Send your autumn song before October 28th. DS

HERE is the results of FINAL

HERE is the results of SEMIFINAL

HERE IS THE ALL TIME HIGH SCORE
Points receaved in the finals of the first 7 USC Editions

Austrian National Final for USC Autumn

The Austrian delegation has announced that the Austrian participant for the Autumn edition of United Song Contest will be determined in a public national final. Everybody member of USC is invited to watch the video-clips of the 10 contenders here and to send the votes in ESC-style to mackmilitant@gmx.net!

Next USC history year is revealed tonight

Shortly after the FINAL of USC 2007 Summer Edition we will announce the last history year in 2007 (1995,2000,1968,2002,1990...). In 2006 we made usc history years 1956, 1975 and 1987.

ANNOUNCEMENT AROUND MIDNIGHT

BBC makes winner DVD

51 years after Siw Malmquist won the very first United Song Contest BBC releases a DVD with all the USC winners 1956-2005. They have spent last 6 month retreiving all the old tapes from the archive. Especially the years in the 50's was hard to find.

Siw Malmqvist - BBC Broadcast 1956

DRESS REHERSALS IN MALMÖ TONIGHT

The final of United Song Contest has been performed now and all contestants made a grewat job with each entry. The previous USC winner Ella from Latvia got huge applause, Also Linda Bengtzing, DJ Ötzi and the danish entry got huge applause. Must be a lot of danish ´fans in Malmö or the danish song is one of the favourits to win. Also the ballads of Greece and Italy got a lot of applause. All the club songs like croatia, latvia, spain, united kingdom and romania was popular in the arena. But most applause ws given to Sonja Aldén when she performed her winning song "För att du finns" in the new ENGLISH VERSION!!!!! In the after party Cascada performed the "Everytime we touch" (candle light version) the previous summer winner and Najoua Belyzel performed her latest single and Rosa came and made her winning song "Etymon es el rey"

Sonja Alden


Cascada, Belyzel & Rosa

SPAIN STARLIFE AUTUMN EDITION

Starlife, the Spanish National Final for United Song Contest is ready again. Four songs compete for representing Spain in next edition. Here are the participants:

1. Edurne - Amores Dormidos
2. Era - Ameno (remix)
3. Marta Sánchez - Superstar
4. La Quinta Estación - Tu peor error

You can vote at the website www.freewebs.com/spainstarlife/ and check the videos and mp3 files. Feel the Spanish passion with Starlife!

ITALIAN AUTUMN SONGS ARE KNOWN

Italy – National final – Autumn 2007 – USC pre-selection

Give out 45p to the 10 songs, maximum 9p to the same song.

01. Biagio Antonacci - Sappi amore mio
02. 883 - Nord sud ovest est
03. Alexia – Goodbye
04. Andrea Bocelli & Katherine McPhee - Can't help falling in love
05. Velvet - Boy band
06. Paola and chiara – Hey
07. Mariangela – Estasi
08. Lollipop - Don't leave me now
09. Marco Masini – Principessa
10. Vasco Rossi - Basta Poco

Thankyou for listening and hope you will vote

Download songs here or in soulseek

WEBPAGE REACH ALL TIME HIGH

Tonight at 22:47 the United Song Contest Webpage reached the magical number of 20.000 hits on USC webpage since the beginning of 2006. After 1 year and 9 ½ months we break this magical limit. Thankyou for your support and we hope that the webpage will continue to be of great survice to you all.

FINAL MEDLEY USC SUMMER

Donna Summer, Bonnie Tyler, Ruslana, Mihai and Dame Edna in Malmö at the USC WELCOMING PARTY

Last night on the after rehersal party in the Arena of United Song Contest in Malmö the American superstar Donna Summer came and performed a duett with the french contestant Tina Arena. They sang "Enough is enough" to the audience delight. Also Emanuel has come to Malmö and he performed "Hold me now" together with the Romanian singer Alexandra Ungureanu. The Russian artist Varvara performed with previous Ukrainian USC artist Ruslana a duett - "Dva Puti". The main impression of teh show last night was that all teh artists of USC is really not so competitive but very friendly and enjoy every minute of their stay in Malmö. United fans Sasa Kovacevic and Romana joined Marija Serifovic om stage performing "Kad zamirisu jorgovan". Matthias Reim took everyone with storm coming in performing "Vergess es" together with no less than Bonnie Tyler.

In the middle of the show the stage transformed and out came Dame Edna of all people, who has been seen several times on United Song Contests events and then she and Sophie Ellis Bextor performed a unique version of "Fame". Tamta came on stage with Mihai performing "Tornero".


USC NEWS also caught Rebeca at the USC club where she performed "I love you mi vida" to the audience huge amuzement.

It looks as if we are up to see a wonderful show and an exciting contest. See you all at the final Saturday September 22nd.

Tina Arena and Donna Summer - Enough is enough

Alexandra Ungureanu & Emanuel - Hold me now


Varvara & Ruslana - Dva Puti



Marija Serifovic, Sasa Kovacevic, Romana -Kad zamirisu jorgovan


Bonnie Tyler & Matthias Reim - Vergiss es


Sophie Ellis Bextor & Dame Edna - Fame


Tamta & Mihai - Tornero


Rebeca at the after rehersal party - I love you mi vida

Ireland in rage!

After the results were made public , it showed Ireland just missed the final by 1 point difference. Portugal was punished a 50% points penalty for not casting their vote in time and also missed the final. Luxemburg by some considered as an outsider didn't make it to the final either. Ginie Line (ended 17th) and said on the pressconference that it was her 'dilemme' Italy had a great ballad also and had to perform later in the draw.

Ronalda (Portugal) stated: "Seras meu! " (It should have been me! - very free translation) and left the arena in tears.

Ireland in rage!
Meanwhile the Irish team was furies of missing the final by one point and focussed on the countries that qualified and called for plagiarism of the dutch entry claiming Jeroen van der Boom covered David Bisbals song 'Silencio'. Nevertheless Jeroen is 100% dutch and therefor the entry does not violate te rules. See link for the irish accusation and compare both songs.


After Antonella Ruggieri (Italy) gave her pressconference, she was asked about the irisch rage and musical guerra. She replied. Maybe they can "blame it on the weatherman". Varvara (Russia) was so much into her joy that she only could scream in her bewitched way "(but) We'll be there!!!" Moldovan entrnat Natalia Barbu who qualified gave the irish girls some good advice: "Baby don't cry" while Roser's could not stop thanking the audience saying "I wanna kiss you"

SPANISH AFTERFESTEN

The Spanish Delegation has made a party after the semifinal to celebrate that Roser will be in the final in Malmö next 22nd September. Roser was so happy that she sang a medley with Raffaella Carrá songs in the party. All the Spanish delegation in Sweden was exciting singing and dancing with her. Here are the video from the party.

SEMIFINAL RESULTS - USC summer 2007

The Line up in FINAL will be:
1. Monaco
2. Croatia *
3. Israel
4. Spain *
5. Latvia *
6. Norway
7. Austria *
8. France *
9. Netherlands *
10. Montenegro *
11. Serbia
12. Denmark *
13. Lithuania
14. Greece
15. Italy *
16. Russia *
17. Sweden
18. Moldova *
19. Andorra
20. United Kingdom *
21. Lebanon
22. Romania
23. Germany
24. FYR Macedonia *
25. Ukraine
26. Poland

*=qualified from semi


The non qualifyers in tonights semifinal was:

Dutch 1990 final is out!

All participants:

Sandra Reemer (pictured) and Anita Meyer are once again into it! :-)

Angela & The Rude - Pressure
Anita Meyer - Freedom
B.B. Queen - Soultrain
Candy Dulfer - Saxuality
Dijk - Bloedend Hart
Frank Boeijen Groep - Zeg me dat het niet zo is
Henk Wijngaard - He Suzie
Hessel - Brother Sagitarius
Lois Lane - I Wanna Be
Marco Borsato - Una Donna Cosi
Mildred Douglas - One More Night
Rene Froger - Just Say Hello!
Sandra Reemer - La Colegiala
Twenty 4 Seven & Captain Hollywood - I Can't Stand It
Van Alles We - En nou die hendjes de lucht in

Who will cross to the final?

Delay in USC2002 Final

For technical reasons, the final show of USC2002 was cancelled till a new date. The managers has announced in a official pressnote that they need a litle more time to prepare the videos, because the holiday season of some contestants and the entry of new countries in the contest has ought to Greg to do a new software videoshow.
Now all the voters are exciting so they all expect a wonderfull show with a new and superb technical design! Georgie told us that he thinks in a very few days it will be possible to know which song will be the best from 2002. Good luck to all!
We'll keep informing!

DRAW SHOW

This evening, the draw show for USC Summer 2007 has taken place in Malmö. The show has been hosted by Swedish singer Genjor McNell(RAI's Director), the beautiful swedish princess Lisa(German Manager) and Göran. It was very enjoyable with wood pieces over the water of the big jacuzzi.This was the order stablished:

FINAL:
01. MONACO
02. HUNGARY
03. ISRAEL
04. From Semifinal
05. From Semifinal
06. NORWAY
07. ALBANIA
08. From Semifinal
09. From Semifinal
10. From Semifinal
11. SERBIA
12. From Semifinal
13. LITHUANIA
14. GREECE
15. From Semifinal
16. From Semifinal
17. SWEDEN (HOST COUNTRY)
18. From Semifinal
19. ANDORRA
20. From Semifinal
21. LEBANON
22. ROMANIA
23. GERMANY
24. From Semifinal
25. UKRAINE
26. POLAND


SEMIFINAL:
01. FRANCE
02. CYPRUS
03. BELGIUM
04. BELARUS
05. SPAIN
06. FYR MACEDONIA
07. VATICAN STATE
08. FINLAND
09. UNITED KINGDOM
10. AUSTRIA
11. SWITZERLAND
12. TURKEY
13. NETHERLANDS
14. ESTONIA
15. LUXEMBOURG
16. PORTUGAL
17. LATVIA
18. ITALY
19. MOLDOVA
20. MONTENEGRO
21. RUSSIA
22. SLOVENIA
23. SAN MARINO
24. DENMARK
25. IRELAND
26. CROATIA

UBU DESIDE NEXT HISTORY YEAR

LINDA BENGTZING THRILLED!

Two weeks after winning Melosongfestivalen, the Swedish contestant in United Song Contest Linda Bengtzing declared that she was very thrilled representing her country.

One of the most important newspaper in Sweden, Aftonbladet, got an interview with the winner of Melosongfestivalen. She said she was very nervous the day of the Final because there were big stars in the final.

"I never tought about winning the contest. The hottest favourite
entry was the uptempo song Where were you, performed by Charlotte Perrelli.
Swedish people love her so much since she had won the Eurovision Song
Contest. When I listened to Natten har en hemlighet for the first time, I fell in love with it.The demo was sung by Emma, a young singer who was not selected to sing the song LIVE in final. As I was very sorry, I proposed her to come with me as backing singer to Malmö and she accepted."

She revealed us that she is already preparing for USC Performance, which will have dancers and backing singers as well.

We wish a very GOOD LUCK to Linda Bengtzing!And we know she will do her best to succed in Malmö

SVT

Dutch entry chosen!!!

The dutch entrant is chosen:

"Jeroen van de Boom - Jij bent zo " will defend The Netherlands tricolor in the 2007 USC Summer edition. "Jij bent zo" which means "You're like that" is an uptempo song in dutch and beated former USC particpants Sharon Kips and Rafaella in a final of high musical standard.

The only performance that got Booooooooo-ed from the audience, Guillermo & Tropical Danny, nevertheless got just enough votes to rank up in 10th position (despite 12 from jury member Babis). Gothic band GOOD THINGS END seduced even non gothic fans to vote for them, hence their 4th place. Comeback bands like Dolly Dots, Champagne and Millionaires made the crowd go wild, but did not reach the higher ranks. Maybe the'll have try in a few years back :-)

Unsecure is still which song will be send to 2ndC. It s rumoured it's a battle between Sharon and Rafaella. Some jurors want Sharon to have a second chance after see failed to reach the final in the Spring-edition due to jurors mistake. Others say Rafaella should go, because she is the one in runner up position. An internal decision is expected in the next week.

Jeroen van der Boom however, was a clear winner and was hapy tp perform his (already smash-hit in Holland's charts) again. The reprise can be viewed here.

Full results:

1. 46 points, Jeroen van der Boom - Jij bent zo

2. 41 - Rafaella - Right here right now
3. 40 - Sharon Kips - Heaven knows

4. 37 - Good Things End - I Know
5. 32 - Petra Berger - Terra Promessa
6. 30 - Do - Beautiful thing
7. 28 - Robby Valentine - Over and over again
8. 26 - Monique Smit - Wild
9. 23 - Millionaires - Fantasy Island
10. 22 - Guillermo & Tropical Danny - Toppertje!
11. 22 - Van Velzen - Burn
12. 18 - Champagne - Oh Me Oh My Goodbye
13. 15 - Dolly Dots - S.T.O.P.
14. 14 - City To City - The Road Ahead
15. 12 - André Hazes & Gerard Joling - Blijf bij mij

ITALY RELEASES PREVIEW VIDEO

RAI LAUNCH EUROPEAN TOUR

Italian representative Antonella Ruggiero will go on a long tour around Europe before the semifinal of United Song Contest. She desided to put all her soul in this project and has cancelled 12 concerts in Italy to present herself and the USC song and of course some other fantastic italians songs to the European audience. The full tour plan can be read below. Make sure you get a ticket or two.



Tour Antonella United

August

10 Rome

11 Stockholm & Helsinki

12 Tallin & Oslo

14 Moscow

15 Riga

16 Vilnius

17 Odessa

18 Bukarest

19 Belgrade & Zagreb

20 Warsaw

22 Berlin

23 Hamburg & Amsterdam

24 Frankfurt & Munich

25 Wienna & Llubljana

26 Sarajevo & Tirana

28 Bern & Nice

29 Paris & London

30 Dublin

31 Istanbul



September

1 Athens & Thessaloniki

2 Madrid & Lissabon

4 Rehersals in Malmö

5 Copenhagen (Tv show - USC special)

6 Dress rehersals in Malmö

7 Malmö SEMIFINAL UNITED SONG CONTEST



22 Malmö FINAL UNITED SONG CONTEST ( if Italy qualifies from semi)


As you can see she put her main effort into the German audience. "Si, I am not so well known nor popular there so I think I need more time there." she says to USC News. How can you manage to go to 2 cities at one day? "Well, if that is so, we first do a pre recorded show in the day then later in the evening a live TV show. For me there is not so much difference."

K-otic shoot new video on the beach!

The members of K-otic went to the beachside to tape this video of their fab song for the USC 2002
You can have a look at the result here and don't forget to vote The Netherlands in USC :-P

Laura Re-releases her USC 2002 VIDEO

Laura Pausini and her VIDEO has just been re-released and we are first to share it with you. Italian delegation has been in trouble latelly with not providing the ticket for Antonella to Malmo. Today RAI confirm that they will indeed provide travel and accomodation as well as a full USC team for Antonella. She will leave for Malmö the 25th of august. So here below you can watch the "Surrender" VIDEO of Italy 2002 in United Song Contest. Enjoy. And Bravo RAI (even though we keep on pressing for a "real" national selection and not the questioned jury system they have).

USC 2002 STARTED

Dutch 2007 Summer USC finalists known!

picture: Monique Smit



Sharon Kips hits Dutch final again!

After winning the Spring edition, qualifying for the 2007 Spring USC final but being disqualified for not casting the dutch votes in time, Sharin Kips can give it another try. She mamaged with 14 other strong candidates to qualify for the final of the dutch preselection.

Dutch Final 2007 Summer USC:

André Hazes & Gerard Joling - Blijf bij mij

Champagne - Oh Me Oh My Goodbye

City To City - The Road Ahead

Do - Beautiful thing

Dolly Dots - S.T.O.P.

Good Things End - I Know

Guillermo & Tropical Danny - Toppertje!

Jeroen van der Boom - Jij bent zo

Millionaires - Fantasy Island

Monique Smit - Wild (pictured)

Petra Berger - Terra Promessa

Rafaella - Right here right now

Robby Valentine - Over and over again

Sharon Kips - Heaven knows

Van Velzen - Burn


votes to be cast in 12-10-8-7-etc ESC style to rollercoasterslow at hotmail dot com

ITALY EXPERT JURY HAS DESIDED

So, at last the 6 expert jury desided who will represent Italy in Summer edition 2007.

Winner was Antonella Ruggiero with "Canzone fra le guerre". A song first presented in Sanremo festival in 2007 and now the representative of Italy in USC.

1. Antonella 66p

2. Alexia 64p

3. Paolo 56p

4. Tiziano 36p

5. Lara 36p

6. Anna 33p

7. Laura 29p