Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox song contest national year
| Year = 2008
| Broadcaster = {{lang|cng-latn|Radio i Televizija Crne Gore|i=no}} (RTCG)
| Country = Montenegro
| Selection process = Artist: MontenegroSong 2008
Song: Internal selection
| Selection date = Artist: 27 January 2008
Song: 8 March 2008
| Artist = Stefan Filipović
| Song = {{lang|cnr-latn|Zauvijek volim te|i=no}}
| Writer = {{unbulleted list|Grigor Koprov|Ognen Nedelkovski}}
| SF result = Failed to qualify (14th)
}}
Montenegro was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "{{lang|cnr-latn|Zauvijek volim te|i=no}}" {{small|({{lang|cnr|Заувијек волим те}})}}, composed by Grigor Koprov, with lyrics by Ognen Nedelkovski, and performed by Stefan Filipović. The Montenegrin participating broadcaster, {{lang|cng-latn|Radio i Televizija Crne Gore|i=no}} (RTCG), organised the national final MontenegroSong 2008 in order to select its performer for the contest and, subsequently, it selected the song internally. Six artists competed in the national final on 27 January 2008 where public televoting selected Stefan Filipović as the winner with 3,325 votes. The song, "{{lang|cnr-latn|Zauvijek volim te|i=no}}", was internally selected and presented to the public in a television special on 8 March 2008.
Montenegro was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 20 May 2008. Performing as the opening entry for the show in position 1, "{{lang|cnr-latn|Zauvijek volim te|i=no}}" was not announced among the 10 qualifying entries of the first semi-final and therefore did not qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Montenegro placed fourteenth out of the 19 participating countries in the semi-final with 23 points.
Background
{{main|Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
Prior to the 2008 contest, {{lang|cng-latn|Radio i Televizija Crne Gore|i=no}} (RTCG) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Montenegro as an independent country once: in {{Esccnty|Montenegro|y=2007|t=2007}} when they failed to qualify to the final with the song "{{lang|cnr-latn|'Ajde, kroči|i=no}}" performed by Stevan Faddy.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=52|title=Montenegro Country Profile|publisher=EBU|access-date=30 October 2014}}
As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, RTCG organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster confirmed that it would participate at the 2008 contest on 19 June 2007.{{Cite web |last=Kuipers |first=Michael |date=2007-06-19 |title=Eurovision 2023 Malta won't withdraw - ESCToday.com |url=https://esctoday.com/8861/malta_wont_withdraw/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=Eurovision News, Polls and Information by ESCToday |language=en-US}} In 2007, RTCG organised the national final MontenegroSong to select both the artist and song. For 2008, MontenegroSong was organised to select the performer, with the broadcaster opting to internally select the song later.{{Cite web |last=Royston |first=Benny |date=2008-01-11 |title=6 Singers for Montenegro final |url=https://esctoday.com/10094/6_singers_for_montenegro_final/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=Esctoday}}
Before Eurovision
= ''MontenegroSong 2008'' =
MontenegroSong 2008 was the national final organised by RTCG in order to select its performer for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. Six artists competed in a televised final on 27 January 2008, which was held at the Shass Disco in Podgorica, hosted by Dražen Bauković and Marija Vujović and was televised on TVCG 1 and TVCG SAT as well as broadcast online via the broadcaster's website rtcg.org.{{cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest Moscow 2009 | News - Live: Montenegro selects singer tonight |url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/10299 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527014241/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10299 |archive-date=2009-05-27 |access-date=2011-12-25}} 13 artists were invited by the broadcaster for the competition and the six acts that accepted to participate were announced on 13 January 2008.{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=13 January 2008 |title=Montenegrosong finalists announced |url=http://esctoday.com/10117/montenegrosong_finalists_announced/ |website=Esctoday}}{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=2008-01-17 |title=Montenegro: Singer to be chosen on 3rd February |url=https://esctoday.com/10153/montenegro_singer_to_be_chosen_on_3rd_february/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Esctoday}}
| class="wikitable collapsible" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |
| style="width:37em" |
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
{{div col end}} |
== Final ==
The final took place on 27 January 2008. Each of the six competing artists performed cover versions of two songs and Stefan Filipović was selected as the winner entirely by public televoting, the results of which were revealed by Montenegro's three telephone companies.{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=2008-01-27 |title=Live: Montenegro selects singer tonight |url=https://esctoday.com/10299/live_montenegro_selects_singer_tonight/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Esctoday}} 6,355 votes were received by the televote during the show.{{Cite web |date=2008-01-28 |title=Montenegro picks Stefan Filipovic' for Serbia |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/montenegro-picks-stefan-filipovic-for-serbia |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}} In addition to the performances of the competing artists, the show also featured guest performances by Stevan Faddy, who represented Montenegro in 2007, and Ruslan Alekhno, who would represent {{Esccnty|Belarus|y=2008|t=Belarus in 2008}}.{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=27 January 2008 |title=Live: Montenegro selects singer tonight |url=http://esctoday.com/10299/live_montenegro_selects_singer_tonight/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=29 January 2021 |website=Esctoday}}
| class="sortable wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Final – 27 January 2008 |
| Draw
! Artist ! First Song {{small|(Original artist)}} ! Second Song {{small|(Original artist)}} ! Televote ! Place |
|---|
| 1
| align="left" | Andrea Demirović | align="left" | "I Will Always Love You" {{small|(Whitney Houston)}} | align="left" | "La reina de la noche" {{small|(Mirela)}} | 1,300 | 2 |
| 2
| align="left" | Grim | align="left" | "The Power of Love" {{small|(Frankie Goes to Hollywood)}} | align="left" | "Začaran" {{small|(Grim)}} | 345 | 5 |
| 3
| align="left" | Jelena Kažanegra | align="left" | "The Best" {{small|(Tina Turner)}} | align="left" | "Kao mačka" {{small|(Fit)}} | 377 | 4 |
| 4
| align="left" | Nenad Knežević Knez | align="left" | "Balerina" {{small|(Makadam)}} | align="left" | "Nijedna žena na svijetu" {{small|(Knez)}} | 567 | 3 |
| 5
| align="left" | Vesna Milačić Kaja | align="left" | "Here I Go Again" {{small|(Whitesnake)}} | {{N/A|N/A}} | 341 | 6 |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:gold;"
| 6 | align="left" | Stefan Filipović | align="left" | "Za nju" {{small|(Stefan Filipović)}} | align="left" | "Nebo i more" {{small|(Stefan Filipović)}} | 3,325 | 1 |
| class="wikitable collapsible nowraplinks plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center;"
|+{{nowrap|Detailed Televoting Results}} !Draw ! scope="col" | Artist ! scope="col" | T-Mobile ! scope="col" | ProMonte ! scope="col" | M-Tel ! scope="col" | Total |
| 1
| align="left" | Andrea Demirović | 529 | 643 | 128 | 1,300 |
| 2
| align="left" | Grim | 128 | 162 | 55 | 345 |
| 3
| align="left" | Jelena Kažanegra | 152 | 174 | 51 | 377 |
| 4
| align="left" | Nenad Knežević Knez | 241 | 271 | 55 | 567 |
| 5
| align="left" | Vesna Milačić Kaja | 142 | 170 | 29 | 341 |
| 6
| align="left" | Stefan Filipović | 1,325 | 1,068 | 932 | 3,325 |
= Song selection =
On 4 March 2008, RTCG announced "{{lang|cnr-latn|Zauvijek volim te|i=no}}" as Filipović's Eurovision song.{{Cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=2008-03-04 |title=Montenegro: UPD Song for Belgrade announced |url=https://esctoday.com/10755/montenegro_-upd-_song_for_belgrade_announced/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=Esctoday}} The entry was decided from four songs submitted by composers invited by RTCG, and was presented during a television special on TVCG 2 on 8 March 2008.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Gavin |date=8 March 2008 |title=Tonight: Montenegro song presentation |url=http://esctoday.com/10802/tonight_montenegro_song_presentation/ |website=Esctoday}}{{Cite web |date=2008-03-08 |title=Večeras saznajemo tri nove pjesme |url=https://eurosong.hr/veceras-saznajemo-tri-nove-pjesme/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=eurosong.hr |language=hr}} "{{lang|cnr-latn|Zauvijek volim te|i=no}}" was composed by Grigor Koprov, with lyrics by Ognen Nedelkovski; the duo was also responsible for the Macedonian song in 2007. An English version of the song, "Never Forget That I Love You", was also recorded.{{Cite web |date=2008-03-04 |title=Određena pjesma za Stefana Filipovića |url=https://eurosong.hr/odredena-pjesma-za-stefana-filipovica/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=eurosong.hr |language=hr}}
= Promotion =
Stefan Filipović made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "{{lang|cnr-latn|Zauvijek volim te|i=no}}" as the Montenegrin Eurovision entry. On 9 March, Stefan Filipović performed the song during the semi-final of the Serbian Eurovision national final {{Esccnty|Serbia|y=2008|t=Beovizija 2008}}.{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=9 March 2008 |title=Live: Serbia – Beovizija semi final |url=http://esctoday.com/10824/live_serbia_-_beovizija_semi_final/ |access-date=20 September 2021 |website=Esctoday}} On 4 April, Filipović performed during the BHT 1 show Konačno petak in Bosnia and Herzegovina.{{Cite web |date=2008-03-28 |title=BHT ugošćuje sudionike Eurosonga; oba polufinala |url=https://eurosong.hr/bhrt-ugoscuje-sudionike-eurosonga-oba-polufinala/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=eurosong.hr |language=hr}}
At Eurovision
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=2009-04-11 |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.{{cite web |author=Bakker, Sietse |date=2008-01-24 |title=All you need to know for Monday's draw! |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=416 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127142041/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=416 |archive-date=2008-01-27 |access-date=2008-01-28 |publisher=Eurovision.TV}} Montenegro was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 20 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 Montenegro was set to open the show and perform in position 1, before the entry from {{Esccnty|Israel|y=2008}}.{{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 Montenegro on TVCG 2 with commentary by Dražen Bauković and Tamara Ivanković. RTCG appointed Nina Radulović as its spokesperson to announce the Montenegrin votes during the final.
= Semi-final =
File:ESC 2008 - Montenegro - Stefan Filipovic, 1st semifinal.jpg
Stefan Filipović took part in technical rehearsals on 14 and 17 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 21 and 22 May.{{Cite web |last=Floras |first=Stella |date=3 May 2008 |title=Eurovision 2008: Rehearsal schedule |url=https://esctoday.com/11272/eurovision_2008_rehearsal_schedule/ |access-date=21 July 2022 |website=Esctoday}} The Montenegrin performance featured Stefan Filipović performing on stage in a white shirt, black leather trousers and a black t-shirt with printed red hands which symbolised love and rage that the singer was experiencing with women as well as "friendship", "solidarity" and "stop". Filipović was also joined by four backing vocalists/dancers dressed in black and wearing red gloves. In the middle of the song, the backing performers caressed Filipović's face with their hands. The LED screens displayed black, red and white colours.{{Cite web |date=2008-05-11 |title=Montenegro first to rehearse |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/montenegro-first-to-rehearse |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2008-05-15 |title=From Podgorica to Tallinn! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/from-podgorica-to-tallinn |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}} The four backing vocalists/dancers performing with Stefan Filipović are Amira Hidić, Ana Kabalin, Martina Majerle and Mateja Majerle. Majerle would go on to represent {{Esccnty|Slovenia|y=2009|t=Slovenia in 2009}} together with the group Quartissimo.{{Cite web |title=Montenegro {{!}} Six on Stage - Who's who at the Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://sixonstage.com/country/montenegro |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=sixonstage.com |language=en}}
At the end of the show, Montenegro was not announced among the 10 qualifying entries in the first semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Montenegro placed fourteenth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 23 points.{{cite web |title=First Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423172215/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final |archive-date=23 April 2021 |access-date=23 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}
= Voting =
Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Montenegro and awarded by Montenegro in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the semi-final and to Serbia in the final of the contest.
==Points awarded to Montenegro==
| class="wikitable" |
| + Points awarded to Montenegro (Semi-final 1){{cite web |title=Results of the First Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final/results/montenegro |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424162238/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/first-semi-final/results/montenegro |archive-date=24 April 2021 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="col" width="20%" | Score
! scope="col" | Country |
|---|
| scope="row" | 12 points
| {{Esc|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 10 points
| {{Esc|Slovenia|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 8 points
| |
| scope="row" | 7 points
| |
| scope="row" | 6 points
| |
| scope="row" | 5 points
| |
| scope="row" | 4 points
| |
| scope="row" | 3 points
| |
| scope="row" | 2 points
| |
| scope="row" | 1 point
| {{Esc|San Marino|1862|y=2008}} |
==Points awarded by Montenegro==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
| class="wikitable" |
| + Points awarded by Montenegro (Final){{cite web |title=Results of the Grand Final of Belgrade 2008 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final/results/montenegro |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424162239/https://eurovision.tv/event/belgrade-2008/grand-final/results/montenegro |archive-date=24 April 2021 |url-status=live}} |
| scope="col" width="20%" | Score
! scope="col" | Country |
|---|
| scope="row" style="background:gold" | 12 points
| {{Esc|Serbia|2004|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" style="background:silver" | 10 points
| {{Esc|Bosnia and Herzegovina|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" style="background:#CC9966" | 8 points
| {{Esc|Russia|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 7 points
| {{Esc|Albania|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 6 points
| {{Esc|Greece|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 5 points
| {{Esc|Israel|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 4 points
| {{Esc|Ukraine|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 3 points
| {{Esc|Latvia|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 2 points
| {{Esc|Croatia|y=2008}} |
| scope="row" | 1 point
| {{Esc|Armenia|y=2008}} |
{{col-end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080219000202/http://www.rtcg.org/index.php?news&read=27385 The announcement on RTCG website (in Serbian)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080116074453/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10117 The six candidates]
- [http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10755 Montenegrin song title announced]
{{Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2008}}