Eleven superfacts about the Eurovision Song Contest 2009

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» Favourites Norway were given a good draw - 20th out of 25 - for the final. In six of the last eight years, one of the final eight acts on stage have won.

» Nine of the last ten winners have sung in English, with the only exception being Serbia in 2007.

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» The last eight Eurovision Song Contests have all been won by countries who had never previously tasted victory. This year, Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the pick of the nations never to have triumphed, although Malta and Iceland could also challenge.

Posted: May 15th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | 2 Comments

Portugal’s qualification bid suffers yet another setback

Carlos Queiroz’s side could trail by seven points on Wednesday

There is now a distinct possibility that the reigning world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo will not be in South Africa next summer after Portugal drew 0-0 at home to Sweden.

Carlos Queiroz’s side have won just one of their first five qualifiers and find themselves four points behind Denmark and Hungary in Group 1 and that margin is likely to widen on Wednesday when they host Albania and Malta respectively, while Portugal aren’t in action.

Posted: March 30th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Why Portugal might not win a must-win clash with Sweden

A preview of chickendinner’s favourite match of the week

Carlos Queiroz’s first term in charge of the Portuguese national team was short-lived after he failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup and without drastic improvement they could miss out on South Africa too.

Portugal are generally 8/13 for tomorrow’s home clash with Sweden and that appears far too short when bringing form into the equation. The hosts have won just one of their last six competitive games and that came away to Malta.

Posted: March 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment