Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

{{main|Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2008 contest, {{lang|is|Ríkisútvarpið|i=no}} (RÚV) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Iceland twenty times since its first entry in 1986.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=4|title=Iceland Country Profile|publisher=EBU|access-date=3 October 2014}} Its best placing in the contest to this point was second, achieved {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1999|t=in 1999}} with the song "All Out of Luck" performed by Selma. Since the introduction of a semi-final to the format of the Eurovision Song Contest in {{escyr|2004}}, it has, to this point, yet to qualify to the final. In {{esccnty|Iceland|y=2007|t=2007}}, its song "Valentine Lost" performed by Eiríkur Hauksson failed to qualify to the final.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, RÚV organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster confirmed its intentions to participate at the 2008 contest on 10 July 2007.{{Cite web|last=Royston|first=Benny|date=10 July 2007|title=Exclusive: Iceland back in 2008 – with changes!|url=http://esctoday.com/8962/exclusive_iceland_back_in_2008_-_with_changes/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Esctoday}} Since 2006, RÚV has used a national final to select its entry, a method that continued for its 2008 participation.

{{lang|is|Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2008}} was the national final format developed by RÚV in order to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The seventeen shows in the competition were broadcast on RÚV during the television programme {{lang|is|Laugardagslögin}}, hosted by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Gísli Einarsson.{{Cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=23 February 2008 |title=Live: national final in Iceland |url=https://esctoday.com/10627/live_national_final_in_iceland-2/ |access-date=11 February 2022 |website=Esctoday}} The first sixteen shows were held at the RÚV studios in Reykjavík and the final took place at the Vetrargarðinum in Kópavogur.{{Cite web |date=2015-01-19 |title=Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2008 – Fullkomið líf / This is your life |url=https://glatkistan.com/2015/01/19/songvakeppni_sjonvarpsins_3_2008__fullkomid_lif_this_is_your_life_tonlistarvidburdur/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Glatkistan |language=is-IS}}

Thirty-three songs in total competed in {{lang|is|Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2008}}, where the winner was determined after fifteen shows: eleven heats, a Second Chance round, four semi-finals and a final. Three songs competed in each heat between 6 October and 15 December 2007. The winning song from each heat qualified to the semi-finals, and a wildcard act was selected out of the two remaining non-qualifying acts. RÚV selected three of the eleven wildcards to compete in the Second Chance round on 12 January 2008, and the winning song qualified to the semi-finals. Three songs competed in each semi-final on 19 January 2008, 26 January 2008, 2 February 2008 and 9 February 2008, and the top two songs qualified to the final which took place on 23 February 2008.{{Cite web |date=2008-02-22 |title=Super Saturday: Finally Iceland will decide! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/super-saturday-finally-iceland-will-decide |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2007-10-11 |title=Um keppnina |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011052719/http://ruv.is/heim/vefir/laugardagslogin/um/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=ruv.is |language=is}} The results of all shows, including the wildcard selection, were determined by 100% public televoting. The televoting for the wildcard selection in each heat took place via radio on Rás 2 for a week, with the results being announced during the Rás 2 radio programme {{lang|is|Helgarútgáfunni}}.{{Cite web |date=2007-10-11 |title=Kosning á Rás 2 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011053104/http://ruv.is/heim/vefir/laugardagslogin/ras2/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=ruv.is |language=is}}

On 10 July 2007, RÚV opened the submission period for interested songwriters to submit their entries until the deadline on 3 September 2007. Songwriters were required to be Icelandic, possess Icelandic citizenship or have permanent residency in Iceland by 1 October 2007, and had the right to submit up to three entries. At the close of the submission deadline, 146 entries were received. A selection committee was formed in order to select the top six entries, while additional twenty-seven entries came from nine composers invited by RÚV to each create three entries for the competition. The invited composers were:{{Cite web|last=Klier|first=Marcus|date=2 October 2007|title=More details on Icelandic national final|url=http://esctoday.com/9361/upd-_more_details_on_icelandic_national_final/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=Esctoday}}

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• Andrea Gylfadóttir
• Barði Jóhannsson
• Guðmundur Jónsson
• Gunnar L. Hjálmarsson (Dr. Gunni)
• Hafdís Huld Þrastardóttir
• Magnús Eiríksson
• Magnús Þór Sigmundsson
• Margret Kristin Sigurðardóttir
• Svala Björgvinsdóttir

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Among the competing artists were previous Icelandic Eurovision entrants Pálmi Gunnarsson, who represented {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1986|t=Iceland in 1986}} as part of ICY, Einar Ágúst Víðisson, who represented {{esccnty|Iceland|y=2000|t=Iceland in 2000}} as part of August and Telma, and Birgitta Haukdal, who represented {{esccnty|Iceland|y=2003|t=Iceland in 2003}}.

The eleven heats took place between 6 October 2007 and 12 January 2008 where three acts presented their entries in each heat. The winning entry voted upon solely by public televoting qualified directly to the semi-finals, while one of the two remaining acts was awarded a wildcard following a separate televote.{{Cite web |title=ICELANDIC QUARTER-FINALS 2008 |url=http://natfinals.50webs.com/90s_00s/Iceland2008QF.html}}

Three of the eleven wildcards were selected to compete in the Second Chance round, which were announced on 6 January 2008.{{Cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=6 January 2008 |title=Iceland: three songs for 12th January revealed |url=http://esctoday.com/10031/iceland_three_songs_for_12th_january_revealed/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |website=Esctoday}} The three acts presented their entries in the Second Chance round on 12 January 2008 where "Hvar ertu nú?" performed by Dr. Spock was voted upon solely by public televoting to proceed to the semi-finals.{{Cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=12 January 2008 |title=Iceland: Dr. Spock is number twelve |url=https://esctoday.com/10112/iceland_dr-_spock_is_number_twelve/ |access-date=11 February 2022 |website=Esctoday}}

The four semi-finals took place on 19 January, 26 January, 2 February and 9 February 2008. In each semi-final three acts presented their entries, and the top two entries voted upon solely by public televoting proceeded to the final. Birgitta Haukdal, who was scheduled to perform her song with Magni Ásgeirsson in the first semi-final, did not appear during the show as she was on holiday.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=ICELANDIC SEMI-FINALS 2008|url=http://natfinals.50webs.com/90s_00s/Iceland2008SF.html|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}

The final took place on 23 February 2008 where the eight entries that qualified from the preceding four semi-finals competed. Eurobandið performed their entry in Icelandic in the heat and semi-final, however, they presented their entry in English in the final. The winner, "This Is My Life" performed Eurobandið, was determined solely by televoting that registered more than 100,000 votes.{{Cite web|title=ICELANDIC NATIONAL FINAL 2008|url=http://natfinals.50webs.com/90s_00s/Iceland2008.html}}{{Cite web |title=Eurobandið fer til Serbíu |url=https://www.mbl.is/folk/frettir/2008/02/23/eurobandid_fer_til_serbiu/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.mbl.is |language=is}} In addition to the performances of the competing artists, the show was opened by a medley featuring past Icelandic Eurovision entrants performing their songs.{{Cite web|date=24 February 2008|title=Winner in Iceland: Euroband!|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/winner-in-iceland-euroband|access-date=11 February 2022|website=eurovision.tv}}{{Cite web |last=Klier |first=Marcus |date=23 February 2008 |title=Live: national final in Iceland |url=https://esctoday.com/10627/live_national_final_in_iceland-2/ |access-date=11 February 2022 |website=Esctoday}}

File:Euroband.jpg]]

Euroband made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "This Is My Life" as the Icelandic Eurovision entry. On 24 April, Euroband was one of the guest performers of 1995 Icelandic Eurovision entrant Björgvin Halldórsson's Jólagestir Björgvins concert which was held at the Circus Building in Copenhagen, Denmark.{{Cite web|title=Promo-tours 2008|url=https://esckaz.com/2008/promotour.htm}}{{Cite web|date=20 May 2008|title=Björgvin Halldórsson Biography|url=https://bohall.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/bjorgvin-halldorsson-biography/|access-date=11 February 2022|website=Bohall}} On 25 April, Euroband performed during the UKEurovision Preview Party event which was held at the Scala Club in London, United Kingdom and hosted by Paddy O'Connell.{{Cite web|title=Eurostars arrive at Kings Cross, London|url=http://ukeurovision.com/website_preview/index.html|access-date=11 February 2022|website=ukeurovision.com}}

File:Eurobandið 2008 Eurovision.jpg

It was announced in September 2007 that the competition's format would be expanded to two semi-finals in 2008.{{cite web|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2007-09-28|title=Eurovision: 2 semi finals confirmed!|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9327|access-date=2008-09-25|publisher=ESCToday}} According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top nine songs from each semi-final as determined by televoting progress to the final, and a tenth was determined by back-up juries. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 28 January 2008, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals. Iceland was placed into the second semi-final, to be held on 22 May 2008.{{cite web|last=Viniker|first=Barry|date=2008-01-28|title=The Eurovision Song Contest semi final draw|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10310|access-date=2008-09-25|publisher=ESCToday}} The running order for the semi-finals was decided through another draw on 17 March 2008 and Iceland was set to open the show and perform in position 1, before the entry from Sweden.{{cite web|last=Klier|first=Marcus|date=2008-03-17|title=Eurovision 2008 — Draw of the running order|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10890|access-date=2008-11-08|publisher=ESCToday}}

The two semi-finals and the final were broadcast in Iceland on RÚV with commentary by Sigmar Guðmundsson.{{cite web|title=Fréttablaðið, 24 May 2008|url=http://timarit.is/view_page_init.jsp?issId=278277&pageId=3999726&lang=is&q=Sigmar%20Gu%F0mundsson%20S%F6ngvakeppni|access-date=2012-08-09|publisher=Timarit.is}} RÚV appointed Brynja Þorgeirsdóttir as its spokesperson to announce the Icelandic votes during the final.{{fact|date=September 2024}}

File:Iceland, Eurobandið, semi-final of Eurovision 2008.jpg

Euroband took part in technical rehearsals on 13 and 16 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 21 and 22 May. The Icelandic performance featured the members of Euroband dressed in black and pink outfits and performing choreography, joined on stage by four backing vocalists in black outfits.{{Cite web|date=13 May 2008|title=Iceland first on stage today!|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/iceland-first-on-stage-today|access-date=11 February 2022|website=eurovision.tv}}{{Cite web|date=16 May 2008|title=The late afternoon rehearsals|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/the-late-afternoon-rehearsals|access-date=11 February 2022|website=eurovision.tv}} The stage lighting were in deep blue and white colours.{{Cite web|last=Davies|first=Russell|date=13 May 2008|title=Day 3: Iceland, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine|url=https://esctoday.com/11364/day_3_iceland_sweden_turkey_and_ukraine/|access-date=11 February 2022|website=Esctoday}} The backing vocalists that joined Euroband were: Grétar Örvarsson, Guðrún Gunnarsdóttir, Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir and Pétur Örn Guðmundsson. Grétar Örvarsson previously represented {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1990|t=Iceland in 1990}} and {{esccnty|Iceland|y=1992|t=1992}} as part of Stjórnin and Heart 2 Heart, respectively, while Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir would go on to represent {{esccnty|Iceland|y=2010|t=Iceland in 2010}}.{{Cite web|title=Iceland|url=https://sixonstage.com/country/iceland|access-date=11 February 2022|website=Six on Stage}}

At the end of the show, Iceland was announced as having finished in the top 10 and subsequently qualifying for the grand final. This marked the first time that Iceland qualified to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest from a semi-final since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004. It was later revealed that Iceland placed eighth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 68 points.{{cite web|title=Second Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172208/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/second-semi-final|archive-date=23 April 2021|access-date=23 April 2021|publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

Shortly after the second semi-final, a winners' press conference was held for the ten qualifying countries. As part of this press conference, the qualifying artists took part in a draw to determine the running order of the final. This draw was done in the order the countries appeared in the semi-final running order. Iceland was drawn to perform in position 11, following the entry from {{esccnty|Poland|y=2008}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Turkey|y=2008}}.

Euroband once again took part in dress rehearsals on 23 and 24 May before the final. The duo performed a repeat of their semi-final performance during the final on 24 May. At the conclusion of the voting, Iceland finished in fourteenth place with 64 points.{{cite web|title=Grand Final of Belgrade 2008|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172152/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final|archive-date=23 April 2021|access-date=23 April 2021|publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Iceland and awarded by Iceland in the second semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Denmark in the semi-final and the final of the contest.

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{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.ruv.is The homepage of the broadcaster, RUV]

{{Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2008}}

2008

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Eurovision