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Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006

{{good article}}

{{Short description|None}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox song contest national year

| Year = 2006

| Broadcaster = {{lang|sq|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar|i=no}} (RTSH)

| Country = Albania

| Selection process = Festivali i Këngës 44

| Selection date = 18 December 2005

| Artist = Luiz Ejlli

| Song = {{lang|sq|Zjarr e ftohtë|i=no}}

| Writer = {{unbulleted list|Klodian Qafoku|Florian Kondi}}

| Final result = Failed to qualify (14th)

}}

Albania was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "{{lang|sq|Zjarr e ftohtë|i=no}}", composed by Klodian Qafoku, with lyrics by Florian Kondi, and performed by Luiz Ejlli. The Albanian participating broadcaster, {{lang|sq|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar|i=no}} (RTSH), selected its entry through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës in December 2005.

Due to the non-top 11 result in the previous contest, Albania was drawn to compete in the semi-final of the contest, which took place on 18 May 2006. Performing as number six, the nation was not announced among the top 10 entries of the semi-final and therefore failed to qualify for the grand final, marking Albania's first non-qualification in the contest.

Background

{{Main|Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2006 contest, {{lang|sq|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar|i=no}} (RTSH) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Albania two times since its first entry in {{escyr|2004}}.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Countries: Albania |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/albania |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026144748/https://eurovision.tv/country/albania |archive-date=26 October 2020}} Its highest placing in the contest, to this point, had been the seventh place, achieved in 2004 with the song "The Image of You" performed by Anjeza Shahini.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, RTSH organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. RTSH has organised Festivali i Këngës since its inauguration in 1962.{{cite web |last=Knoops |first=Roy |publisher=ESCToday |title=Watch now: Albania's Festivali i Këngës 56 kicks off with semi-final 1 |url=http://esctoday.com/154725/tonight-albanias-festivali-kenges-56-kicks-off-semi-final-1/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109072104/http://esctoday.com/154725/tonight-albanias-festivali-kenges-56-kicks-off-semi-final-1/ |archive-date=9 January 2020 |date=21 December 2017}} Since 2003, the winner of the competition has simultaneously won the right to {{esccnty|Albania|t=represent Albania}} in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Before Eurovision

= Festivali i Këngës =

RTSH organised the 44th edition of Festivali i Këngës to determine its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. The competition consisted of two semi-finals on 16 and 17 December, respectively, and the grand final on 18 December 2005.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Festivali 44 i Këngës në Radio |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/historiku/fituesit/fest-44 |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026151953/https://festivali.rtsh.al/historiku/fituesit/fest-44 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |language=Albanian}}{{cite web |publisher=Eurovisionworld |title=Albania: Festivali i Këngës #44 |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/national/albania/festivali-i-kenges-44-2006 |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024060909/https://eurovisionworld.com/national/albania/festivali-i-kenges-44-2006 |archive-date=24 October 2020}} The three live shows were hosted by Albanian singer Soni Malaj and presenter Drini Zeqo.{{cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |publisher=ESCToday |title=Albania selects, participants unknown |url=http://esctoday.com/5255/albania_selects_participants_unknown/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204073230/http://esctoday.com/5255/albania_selects_participants_unknown/ |archive-date=4 December 2013 |date=13 December 2005}}

== Competing entries ==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
+ Competing entries
scope="col" | Artist

! scope="col" | Song

scope="row" | Agim Poshka

| "Nostalgji"

scope="row" | Albërie Hadergjonaj

| "Ah, sikur kjo jetë"

scope="row" | Anjeza Shahini

| "Pse ndal"

scope="row" | Armando Bimi

| "Mall"

scope="row" | Aurel Thëllimi

| "Dhe kur kujtesa"

scope="row" | Besart Halimi

| "Loja dashuri"

scope="row" | Denisa Macaj and Entela Zhula

| "Kur zemra prek një dashuri"

scope="row" | Edona Llalloshi

| "Vetëm një puthje"

scope="row" | Era Rusi

| "Nuk je ëndërr"

scope="row" | Eri

| "Dumbade"

scope="row" | Erinda Dhima

| "Për ju"

scope="row" | Ermiona Lekbello

| "Gjysëm ëndërr je o grua"

scope="row" | Erti Hizmo and Flaka Krelani

| "Për ty"

scope="row" | Edmond Mancaku

| "Ish dashuri dhe jo mëkat"

scope="row" | Evis Mula

| "E dua këngën"

scope="row" | Guximtar Rushani

| "Lotë dashurie"

scope="row" | Ingrid Jushi

| "Po dhe jo"

scope="row" | Joe Artid Fejzo

| "Zhurma e heshtjes"

scope="row" | Julian Lekoçaj

| "Niki"

scope="row" | Kozma Dushi

| "Se nuk plaken ëndrrat"

scope="row" | Kujtim Prodani

| "Theva kokën si pa dashur"

scope="row" | Luiz Ejlli

| "Zjarr e ftohtë"

scope="row" | Manjola Nallbani

| "S'mjafton një jetë"

scope="row" | Mariza Ikonomi and Erion Korini

| "Edhe fati qan"

scope="row" | Marsida Saraçi

| "Do të doja"

scope="row" | Mateus Froku

| "Tu ëngjëll unë promethe"

scope="row" | Miriam Cani

| "Shko"

scope="row" | Pandora

| "Pritja"

scope="row" | Rudi

| "Qyteti im"

scope="row" | Saimir Çili

| "Hipokrizi"

scope="row" | Sfinks

| "Heshtje"

scope="row" | Sonila Mara

| "Vjeshtë me ty"

scope="row" | Tonin Marku

| "Syte e dashurisë"

scope="row" | Yllka Kuqi

| "Të gjeta"

== Shows ==

=== Semi-finals ===

The semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës took place on 16 December and 17 December 2005, respectively. 17 contestants participated in each semi-final, with the highlighted ones progressing to the grand final.{{cite web |last=Rau |first=Oliver |publisher=ESCToday |title=Line-up of first Albanian semifinal |url=http://esctoday.com/5269/line-up_of_first_albanian_semifinal/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117162615/http://esctoday.com/5269/line-up_of_first_albanian_semifinal/ |archive-date=17 January 2021 |date=16 December 2005}}{{cite web |last=Rau |first=Oliver |publisher=ESCToday |title=Line-up of second Albanian semifinal |url=http://esctoday.com/5272/line-up_of_second_albanian_semifinal/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117162435/http://esctoday.com/5272/line-up_of_second_albanian_semifinal/ |archive-date=17 January 2021 |date=17 December 2005}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
+ Semi-final 1{{snd}}16 December 2005
scope="col" | Draw

! scope="col" | Artist

! scope="col" | Song

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 1

| Besart Halimi

| "Loja dashuri"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 2

| Sfinks

| "Heshtje"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 3

| Rudi

| "Qyteti im"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 4

| Edmond Mancaku

| "Ish dashuri dhe jo mëkat"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 5

| Aurel Thëllimi

| "Dhe kur kujtesa"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 6

| Julian Lekoçaj

| "Niki"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 7

| Erinda Dhima

| "Për ju"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 8

| Edona Llalloshi

| "Vetëm një puthje"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 9

| Tonin Marku

| "Sytë e dashurisë"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 10

| Agim Poshka

| "Nostalgji"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 11

| Evis Mula

| "Ku t'a gjej unë këngën"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 12

| Mateus Frroku

| "Ti ëngjëll, unë prometë"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 13

| Era Rusi

| "Nuk je ëndërr"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 14

| Ermiona Lekbello

| "Gjysëm ëndërr je o grua"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 15

| Erti Hizmo and Flaka Krelani

| "Për ty'

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 16

| Joe Artid Fejzo

| "Zhurma e heshtjës"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 17

| Kozma Dushi

| "Nuk plaken ëndrrat"

{{col-2}}

class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
+ Semi-final 2{{snd}}17 December 2005
scope="col" | Draw

! scope="col" | Artist

! scope="col" | Song

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 1

| Eri and Perfect Bliss

| "Dumbade"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 2

| Sonida Mara

| "Vjeshtë me ty"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 3

| Armando Dimi

| "Mall"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 4

| Guximtar Rushani

| "Lotë Dashurie"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 5

| Yllka Kuqi

| "Të gjeta"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 6

| Pandora

| "Pritja"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 7

| Denisa Macaj and Entela Zhula

| "Kur zemra prek një dashuri"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 8

| Sajmir Çili

| "Hipokrizi"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 9

| Luiz Ejlli

| "Zjarr e ftohtë"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 10

| Ingrid Jushi

| "Po dhe jo"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 11

| Kujtim Prodani

| "Theva kokën si pa dashur"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 12

| Albërie Hadërgjonaj

| "Ah sikur kjo jetë"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 13

| Manjola Nallbani

| "S'mjafton një jetë"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 14

| Marsida Saraçi

| "Do të doja"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 15

| Anjeza Shahini

| "Pse ndal'

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 16

| Miriam Cani

| "Shko"

style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;" | 17

| Mariza Ikonomi and Erion Korini

| "Edhe fati qan"

{{col-end}}

=== Final ===

The grand final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 18 December 2005. "{{lang|sq|Zjarr e ftohtë|i=no}}" performed by Luiz Ejlli emerged as the winner and was simultaneously announced as the Albanian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006.{{cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |publisher=ESCToday |title=Luiz Ejlli represents Albania in Athens |url=http://esctoday.com/5278/luiz_ejlli_represents_albania_in_athens/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128150837/http://esctoday.com/5278/luiz_ejlli_represents_albania_in_athens/ |archive-date=28 November 2020 |date=19 December 2005}}

Key:

{{Color box|gold||border=darkgray}} Winner

{{Color box|silver||border=darkgray}} Second place

{{Color box|#CC9966||border=darkgray}} Third place

class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
+ Final{{snd}}18 December 2005{{cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |publisher=ESCToday |title=Tonight: Albanian national selection |url=http://esctoday.com/5277/tonight_albanian_national_selection/ |access-date=6 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212024410/http://esctoday.com/5277/tonight_albanian_national_selection/ |archive-date=12 December 2020 |date=18 December 2005}}
scope="col" | Draw

! scope="col" | Artist

! scope="col" | Song

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 1

| Kujtim Prodani

| "Theva kokën si pa dashur"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 2

| Manjola Nallbani

| "S'mjafton një jetë"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 3

| Edona Llalloshi

| "Vetëm një puthje"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 4

| Eri and Perfect Bliss

| "Dumbade"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 5

| Marsida Saraçi

| "Do të doja"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 6

| Mateus Frroku

| "Ti ëngjëll, unë promete"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 7

| Mariza Ikonomi and Erion Korini

| "Edhe fati qan"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 8

| Kozma Dushi

| "Se nuk plaken ëndrrat"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 9

| Denisa Macaj and Entela Zhula

| "Kur zemra prek një dashuri"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 10

| Sonida Mara

| "Vjeshtë me ty"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 11

| Anjeza Shahini

| "Pse ndal"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 12

| Albërie Hadërgjonaj

| "Ah sikur kjo jetë"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 13

| Sajmir Çili

| "Hipokrizi"

style="background:#CC9966;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; background:#CC9966;" | 14

| Evis Mula

| "Ku t'a gjej unë këngën"

style="font-weight:bold; background:gold;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:gold;" | 15

| Luiz Ejlli

| "Zjarr e ftohtë"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 16

| Erti Hizmo and Flaka Krelani

| "Për ty"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 17

| Miriam Cani

| "Shko"

style="background:silver;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; background:silver;" | 18

| Era Rusi

| "Nuk je ëndërr"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 19

| Agim Poshka

| "Nostalgji"

scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 20

| Erinda Dhima

| "Për ju"

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 took place at the O.A.C.A. Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece, and consisted of a semi-final on 18 May and the grand final on 20 May 2006.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Athens 2006 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006 |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501171022/https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006 |archive-date=1 May 2020}} According to the Eurovision rules at the time, all participating countries, except the host nation and the "Big Four", consisting of {{Esccnty|France}}, {{Esccnty|Germany}}, {{Esccnty|Spain}} and the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom}}, were required to qualify from the semi-final to compete for the final, although the top 10 countries from the semi-final progress to the final.{{cite AV media |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2006 |date=18-20 May 2006 |location=Athens, Greece}} Due to its non-top 11 result in the {{escyr|2005||2005 contest}}, Albania was required to compete in the semi-final.{{cite web |last=Baransi |first=Fouad |publisher=ESC Bubble |title=Throwback To Athens – Eurovision 2006 |url=https://escbubble.com/2020/06/throwback-to-athens-eurovision-2006/ |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627072423/https://escbubble.com/2020/06/throwback-to-athens-eurovision-2006/ |archive-date=27 June 2020 |date=25 June 2020}} It was set to perform in position six, following {{Esccnty|Belarus|y=2005}} and preceding {{Esccnty|Belgium|y=2005}}.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Athens 2006 Semi-final |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006/semi-final |access-date=17 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206011805/https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006/semi-final |archive-date=6 December 2020 |url-status=dead }} At the end of the semi-final, the country was not announced among the top 10 entries and therefore failed to qualify for the final, marking Albania's first non-qualification in the Eurovision Song Contest.

= Voting =

The tables below visualise a breakdown of points awarded to Albania in the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, as well as by the country for both the semi-final and grand final. In the semi-final, Albania finished in 14th place with a total of 58 points, including 12 from {{Esccnty|Macedonia|y=2005}} and 10 from {{Esccnty|Switzerland|y=2005}}.{{cite web |title=Results of the Semi-Final of Athens 2006 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006/semi-final/results/albania |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421164715/https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006/semi-final/results/albania |archive-date=21 April 2021 |url-status=live}} Albania awarded its 12 points to Macedonia in the semi-final and to {{Esccnty|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2005}} in the grand final of the contest.{{cite web |title=Results of the Grand Final of Athens 2006 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006/grand-final/results/albania |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=21 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421164723/https://eurovision.tv/event/athens-2006/grand-final/results/albania |archive-date=21 April 2021 |url-status=live}}

==Points awarded to Albania==

class="wikitable"
+ Points awarded to Albania (Semi-final)
scope="col" width="20%" | Score

! scope="col" | Country

scope="row" | 12 points

| {{Esc|Macedonia|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 10 points

| {{Esc|Switzerland|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 8 points

|

scope="row" | 7 points

| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Croatia|y=2006}}|{{Esc|Greece|y=2006}}}}

scope="row" | 6 points

|

scope="row" | 5 points

| {{Esc|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 4 points

|

scope="row" | 3 points

| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Germany|y=2006}}|{{Esc|Norway|y=2006}}|{{Esc|Turkey|y=2006}}}}

scope="row" | 2 points

| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Russia|y=2006}}|{{Esc|Sweden|y=2006}}|{{Esc|United Kingdom|y=2006}}}}

scope="row" | 1 point

| {{Unbulleted list|{{Esc|Armenia|y=2006}}|{{Esc|Slovenia|y=2006}}}}

==Points awarded by Albania==

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable"
+ Points awarded by Albania (Semi-final)
scope="col" width="20%" | Score

! scope="col" | Country

scope="row" style="background:gold" | 12 points

| {{Esc|Macedonia|y=2006}}

scope="row" style="background:silver" | 10 points

| {{Esc|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2006}}

scope="row" style="background:#CC9966" | 8 points

| {{Esc|Bulgaria|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 7 points

| {{Esc|Slovenia|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 6 points

| {{Esc|Turkey|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 5 points

| {{Esc|Sweden|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 4 points

| {{Esc|Cyprus|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 3 points

| {{Esc|Armenia|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 2 points

| {{Esc|Netherlands|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 1 point

| {{Esc|Ireland|y=2006}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable"
+ Points awarded by Albania (Final)
scope="col" width="20%" | Score

! scope="col" | Country

scope="row" style="background:gold" | 12 points

| {{Esc|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2006}}

scope="row" style="background:silver" | 10 points

| {{Esc|Sweden|y=2006}}

scope="row" style="background:#CC9966" | 8 points

| {{Esc|Greece|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 7 points

| {{Esc|Turkey|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 6 points

| {{Esc|Spain|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 5 points

| {{Esc|Germany|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 4 points

| {{Esc|Russia|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 3 points

| {{Esc|Macedonia|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 2 points

| {{Esc|Romania|y=2006}}

scope="row" | 1 point

| {{Esc|Malta|y=2006}}

{{col-end}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Festivali i Këngës}}

{{Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2006}}

2006

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006

2005

Eurovision