Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

ESC National Year
Year = 2008
Country = POR
Preselection = Festival da Canção
Preselection date = March 9 2008
Entrant = Vânia Fernandes
Song = "Senhora do Mar (Negras Águas)"
SF result = "Qualified" (2nd, 120 points)
Final result = 13th, 69 points

Portugal chose its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, on March 9, 2008, during the 44th edition of RTP's own Festival da Canção, which took place at Lisbon's Camões Theatre.

The Portuguese viewers selected, by televoting, the song "Senhora do Mar (Negras Águas)", sung by "Operacão Triunfo 2007" winner, Vânia Fernandes.

Festival da Canção 2008

The hostess was Sílvia Alberto, who had also hosted the show "Operação Triunfo 2007" where Vânia was selected as the winner. The interval act paid tribute to past winning Eurovision Song Contest entries. Sabrina made an appearance at the show to announce and present the trophy to the winner.

Ten songs competed for the prize and to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest, in Belgrade, Serbia. Most of the artists were young singers just beginning their musical careers; also most of them are known to the public for having participated in "Operação Triunfo".

At Eurovision

Portugal participated in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, on May 22 2008. They competed against eighteen other entries and qualified for a place in the final, on May 24 2008. At the final, Vania Fernandes performed thirteenth on the night and came 13th out of 25 competing coutries. This was Portugal's best showing at the contest since 1996.

Isabel Angelino was the commentator at the event, [citeweb|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=2968|title=Commentator revealed by RTP, updated news|publisher=oikotimes.com|accessdate=2008-04-01] and Sabrina was the spokesperson. [citeweb|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=3153|title=Sabrina to announce Portuguese votes|publisher=oikotimes.com|accessdate=2008-04-03]

Portugal received the highest points from Andorra, France, Spain and Switzerland.

References