Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
{{Short description|None}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox song contest national year
| Year = 2008
| Broadcaster = {{lang|sq|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar|i=no}} (RTSH)
| Country = Albania
| Selection process = Festivali i Këngës 46
| Selection date = 16 December 2007
| Artist = Olta Boka
| Song = {{lang|sq|Zemrën e lamë peng|i=no}}
| Writer = {{Unbulleted list|Adrian Hila|Pandi Laço}}
| SF result = Qualified (9th, 67 points)
| Final result = 17th, 55 points
}}
Albania was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "{{lang|sq|Zemrën e lamë peng|i=no}}", composed by Adrian Hila, with lyrics by Pandi Laço, and performed by Olta Boka. 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 2007.
To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest four times since its first entry in {{escyr|2004}}. Due to the introduction of two semi-finals, Albania was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the contest, which took place on 22 May 2008. Performing as number six, the nation was announced among the top 10 entries of the second semi-final and therefore qualified to compete in the grand final. In the final on 24 May 2008, it performed as number three and placed 17th out of the 25 participating countries, scoring 55 points.
Background
{{Main|Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
Prior to the 2008 contest, {{lang|sq|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar|i=no}} (RTSH) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Albania four times since its first entry {{esccnty|Albania|y=2004|t=in 2004}}.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Countries: Albania |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/albania |access-date=20 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, which it 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=20 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 represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Before Eurovision
= Festivali i Këngës =
RTSH organised the 46th edition of Festivali i Këngës to determine its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.{{cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |publisher=ESCToday |title=Albania: Festivali i Kenges dates and line-up |url=http://esctoday.com/9591/albania_festivali_i_kenges_dates_and_line-up/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120223823/http://esctoday.com/9591/albania_festivali_i_kenges_dates_and_line-up/ |archive-date=20 January 2021 |date=10 November 2007}} The competition consisted of two semi-finals on 14 and 15 December, respectively, and the grand final on 16 December 2007. The three live shows were hosted by Albanian singer Elsa Lila and composer Pirro Çako.{{cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |publisher=ESCToday |title=Albania: Festivali i Këngës, a new formula |url=http://esctoday.com/9689/albania_festivali_i_kngs_a_new_formula/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120224509/http://esctoday.com/9689/albania_festivali_i_kngs_a_new_formula/ |archive-date=20 January 2021 |date=21 November 2007}}
== Competing entries ==
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |
| + Competing entries{{cite web |publisher=Eurovisionworld |title=Albania: Festivali i Këngës #46 |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/national/albania/festivali-i-kenges-46-2008 |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019205332/https://eurovisionworld.com/national/albania/festivali-i-kenges-46-2008 |archive-date=19 October 2020}} |
| scope="col" | Artist
! scope="col" | Song |
|---|
| scope="row" | Ada Gurra
| "Veç dashuri" |
| scope="row" | Adela Bezhani
| "Mos thuaj jo" |
| scope="row" | Agim Poshka
| "Kujt i them të dua" |
| scope="row" | Ani Cuedari and Mateus Frroku
| "Testament dashurie" |
| scope="row" | Arbër Arapi
| "Mall" |
| scope="row" | Besiana Mehmeti
| "Di të jetoj" |
| scope="row" | Blerina Shalari
| "Zgjohem nga heshtja" |
| scope="row" | Devis Xherahu
| "Endacaku" |
| scope="row" | Evans Rama
| "Drita e hënës" |
| scope="row" | Eneda Tarifa
| "E para letër" |
| scope="row" | Flaka Krelani and Doruntina Disha
| "Jeta kërkon dashuri" |
| scope="row" | Greta Koçi
| "Natën të kërkova" |
| scope="row" | Joe Artid Fejzo
| "K'të natë te ty" |
| scope="row" | Jonida Maliqi
| "S'ka fajtor në dashuri" |
| scope="row" | Juliana Pasha
| "Një qiell të ri" |
| scope="row" | Kozma Dushi
| "Tatuazh në kujtesë" |
| scope="row" | Kthjellu
| "Dhoma" |
| scope="row" | Manjola Nallbani
| "Kjo botë merr frymë nga dashuria" |
| scope="row" | Mariza Ikonomi
| "Mall i tretur" |
| scope="row" | Mira Konçi and Redon Makashi
| "Nën një qiell" |
| scope="row" | Olta Boka |
| scope="row" | Produkt 28
| "30 sekonda" |
| scope="row" | Rosela Gjylbegu
| "Po lind një yll" |
| scope="row" | Rovena Dilo
| "Rrëfimi" |
| scope="row" | Sajmir Çili
| "Ninullë për ty" |
| scope="row" | Samanta Karavello
| "Pse u harrua dashuria" |
| scope="row" | Teuta Kurti
| "Qyteti i dashurisë" |
| scope="row" | Vesa Luma
| "Një natë për mua" |
| scope="row" | Voltan Prodani
| "Pse humbe dashurinë" |
== Shows ==
=== Semi-finals ===
The semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës took place on 14 December and 15 December 2007, respectively. The first semi-final featured a guest performance from Albanian rock band Elita 5.{{cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |publisher=ESCToday |title=Albania: novelties and guests announced |url=http://esctoday.com/9876/albania_novelties_and_guests_announced/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120230713/http://esctoday.com/9876/albania_novelties_and_guests_announced/ |archive-date=20 January 2021 |date=13 December 2007}} 15 contestants participated in the first semi-final and 14 in the second, with the highlighted ones progressing to the grand final.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Albanian jury picks Olta Boka for Belgrade |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/albanian-jury-picks-olta-boka-for-belgrade |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430152749/https://eurovision.tv/story/albanian-jury-picks-olta-boka-for-belgrade |archive-date=30 April 2020 |date=9 January 2008}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:left;" |
| + Semi-final 1{{ndash}}14 December 2007 |
| scope="col" | Draw
! scope="col" | Artist ! scope="col" | Song |
|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 1
| Arbër Arapi | "Mall" |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 2
| Besiana Mehmeti | "Di të jetoj" |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 3
| Ani Cuedari and Mateus Frroku | "Testament dashurie" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2; text-align:center;" | 4 | "Një qiell të ri" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2; text-align:center;" | 5 | Produkt 28 | "30 sekonda" |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 6
| Adela Bezhani | "Mos thuaj jo" |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 7
| Sajmir Çili | "Ninullë për ty" |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 8
| Rovena Dilo | "Rrëfimi" |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 9
| Evans Rama | "Drita e hënës" |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 10
| Joe Artid Fejzo | "K'të natë te ty" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2; text-align:center;" | 11 | Flaka Krelani and Doruntina Disha | "Jeta kërkon dashuri" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2; text-align:center;" | 12 | "E para letër" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2; text-align:center;" | 13 | Teuta Kurti | "Qyteti i dashurisë" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2; text-align:center;" | 14 | "Po lind një yll" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2; text-align:center;" | 15 | Manjola Nallbani | "Kjo botë merr frymë nga dashuria" |
{{col-2}}
{{col-end}}
=== Final ===
The grand final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 16 December 2007. The winner was determined by the combination of the votes from a seven-member jury, consisting of Agim Krajka, David Tukiqi, Gjergj Leka, Gjergj Xhuvani, Rudina Magjistari, Baton Haxhia and Alban Skenderi.{{cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |publisher=ESCToday |title=Festival i Këngës website launched |url=http://esctoday.com/9845/festival_i_kngs_website_launched/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120224637/http://esctoday.com/9845/festival_i_kngs_website_launched/ |archive-date=20 January 2021 |date=10 December 2007}} Guest performances were featured from Italian a cappella group Neri per Caso and Swedish musical group Rednex. "{{lang|sq|Zemrën e lamë peng|i=no}}" performed by Olta Boka emerged as the winner and was simultaneously announced as Albania's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;" |
| + Final{{ndash}}16 December 2007 |
| scope="col" | Draw
! scope="col" | Artist(s) ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Result |
|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 1
| style="text-align:left;" | Samanta Karavello | style="text-align:left;" | "Pse u harrua dashuria" | 23 | 8 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 2
| style="text-align:left;" | Produkt 28 | style="text-align:left;" | "30 sekonda" | 3 | 15 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 3
| style="text-align:left;" | Eneda Tarifa | style="text-align:left;" | "E para letër" | 11 | 10 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 4
| style="text-align:left;" | Mariza Ikonomi | style="text-align:left;" | "Mall i tretur" | 20 | 9 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 5
| style="text-align:left;" | Mira Konçi and Redon Makashi | style="text-align:left;" | "Nën një qiell" | 35 | 6 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 6
| style="text-align:left;" | Flaka Krelani and Doruntina Disha | style="text-align:left;" | "Jeta kërkon dashuri" | 57 | 2 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 7
| style="text-align:left;" | Manjola Nallbani | style="text-align:left;" | "Kjo botë merr frymë nga dashuria" | 27 | 7 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 8
| style="text-align:left;" | Kthjellu | style="text-align:left;" | "Dhoma" | 9 | 11 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 9
| style="text-align:left;" | Kozma Dushi | style="text-align:left;" | "Tatuazh në kujtesë" | 1 | 16 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 10
| style="text-align:left;" | Devis Xherahu | style="text-align:left;" | "Endacaku" | 0 | 17 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 11
| style="text-align:left;" | Teuta Kurti | style="text-align:left;" | "Qyteti i dashurisë" | 5 | 14 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 12
| style="text-align:left;" | Greta Koçi | style="text-align:left;" | "Natën të kërkova" | 35 | 5 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 13
| style="text-align:left;" | Juliana Pasha | style="text-align:left;" | "Një qiell të ri" | 54 | 3 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 14
| style="text-align:left;" | Agim Poshka | style="text-align:left;" | "Kujt i them të dua" | 8 | 12 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 15
| style="text-align:left;" | Jonida Maliqi | style="text-align:left;" | "S'ka fajtor në dashuri" | 36 | 4 |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:gold;"
! scope="row" style="font-weight:bold; background:gold; text-align:center;" | 16 | style="text-align:left;" | Olta Boka | style="text-align:left;" | "Zemrën e lamë peng" | 67 | 1 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | 17
| style="text-align:left;" | Rosela Gjylbegu | style="text-align:left;" | "Po lind një yll" | 8 | 13 |
At Eurovision
File:Flickr - proteusbcn - Semifinal 2 Eurovision 2008 (29).jpg performing during the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.]]
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 took place at the Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia, and consisted of two semi-finals held on 20 and 22 May, respectively, and the grand final on 24 May 2008.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Eurovision Song Contest–Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008 |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430145309/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008 |archive-date=30 April 2020}} According to the Eurovision rules, 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 one of the two semi-finals to compete for the grand final, although the top 10 countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final of the contest.{{cite AV media |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2008 |date=20-24 May 2008 |location=Belgrade, Serbia}}
With the introduction of two semi-finals for the Eurovision Song Contest, Albania was required to compete in one of the two.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Two Semi-Finals Eurovision Song Contest in 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/two-semi-finals-eurovision-song-contest-in-2008 |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214031414/https://eurovision.tv/story/two-semi-finals-eurovision-song-contest-in-2008 |archive-date=14 December 2020 |date=11 January 2008}} On 28 January 2008, a special allocation draw was held that placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, with Albania being placed into the second, to be held on 22 May.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Semi-Final Allocation Draw: the outcome! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/semi-final-allocation-draw-the-outcome |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809230907/https://eurovision.tv/story/semi-final-allocation-draw-the-outcome |archive-date=9 August 2020 |date=28 January 2008 |url-status=dead }} Once all the competing songs for the 2008 contest had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by the delegation heads of the 43 participating countries of the contest rather than through another draw; the nation was set to perform at position 6, following {{Esccnty|Lithuania|y=2008}} and preceding {{Esccnty|Switzerland|y=2008}}.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |title=Belgrade 2008: The running order! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/belgrade-2008-the-running-order |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810054138/https://eurovision.tv/story/belgrade-2008-the-running-order |archive-date=10 August 2020 |date=17 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Second Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172208/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}} In the grand final, it was announced that Albania would be performing third, following the {{Esccnty|United Kingdom|y=2008}} and preceding {{Esccnty|Germany|y=2008}}.{{cite web |last=West-Soley |first=Richard |publisher=ESCToday |title=Eurovision 2008: The final 25 in running order |url=http://esctoday.com/11969/eurovision_2008_the_final_25_in_running_order/ |access-date=20 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816225431/http://esctoday.com/11969/eurovision_2008_the_final_25_in_running_order/ |archive-date=16 August 2019 |date=23 May 2008}}{{cite web |title=Grand Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172152/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |url-status=live}}
= Voting =
The tables below visualise a breakdown of points awarded to Albania in the second semi-final and grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, as well as by the nation on both occasions. In the semi-final, the nation finished in ninth place with a total of 67 points, including 12 from {{Esccnty|Macedonia|y=2008}} and 10 from both {{Esccnty|Croatia|y=2008}} and {{Esccnty|Switzerland|y=2008}}.{{cite web |title=Results of the Second Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final/results/albania |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424072637/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final/results/albania |archive-date=24 April 2021 |url-status=live}} In the grand final, Albania finished in 17th place, being awarded a total of 55 points, including 12 awarded from Macedonia and 10 from {{Esccnty|Greece|y=2008}}.{{cite web |title=Results of the Grand Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final/results/albania |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |access-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424072622/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final/results/albania |archive-date=24 April 2021 |url-status=live}} The nation awarded its 12 points to {{Esccnty|Turkey|y=2008}} in the semi-final, and to Greece in the final of the contest.
==Points awarded to Albania==
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{{col-end}}
==Points awarded by Albania==
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References
{{Reflist}}
{{Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2008}}
{{Festivali i Këngës}}