Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

ESC National Year
Year = 2008
Country = FIN
Preselection = Euroviisut 2008
Preselection date = Semi-finals
8 February 2008
15 February 2008
22 February 2008
2nd Chance
29 February 2008 Final
1 March 2008
Entrant = Teräsbetoni
Song = "Missä miehet ratsastaa"
SF result = "Qualified" (8th, 79 points)
Final result = 22nd, 35 points

Finland entered the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 after hosting the 2007 contest in helsinki. To select their entry for the contest, Yleisradio Oy (YLE) held a national selection, Euroviisut 2008. The contest consisted of 12 artists competing over 3 semi-finals and one second chance round between January and February 2008, with 8 songs, 6 from the semi-finals and the 2 most popular songs from the second chance, competing in the final held on 1 March.

The winner was Teräsbetoni with the song "Missä miehet ratsastaa" (Where the men ride), composed by band member Jarkko Ahola. They received 38.9% of the televotes from the Finnish public, beating second place Kari Tapio and third place Cristal Snow. [cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10730|title=Finland decided: Teräsbetoni to Eurovision!|last=Klier|first=Marcus|date=2007-03-01|publisher="ESCToday"|accessdate=2008-10-06] Only the top 3 songs were announced.

Teräsbetoni went to Belgrade for Finland with the song, perforing 16th in the first semi-final on 20 May. they received 79 points, placing 8th in a field and qualifying for the final on 24 May. At the final they performed 7th, however they could only manage to receive 35 points, coming 22nd of 25.

Euroviisut 2008 - Final

:"For the results of the semi-finals and second-chance round, see Euroviisut 2008."

Commentators and spokespersons

The commentators for the event were Jaana Pelkonen, Mikko Peltola and Asko Murtomäki in Finnish and Thomas Lundin in Swedish. the spokesperson annoucing the votes was Mikko Leppilampiciteweb|title=Mikko and Jaana are back!|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=753| accessdate=2008-05-07|publisher="Eurovision.tv|last=Schacht|first=Andreas]

References