Spanish only for Operación Triunfo’s Eurovision Gala

The director of Operación Triunfo, which will select the Spanish representative ahead of the competition’s final, has confirmed that only Spanish language songs are being considered this year. In a series of quotes published on Bluper, Tinet Rubira, answered Eurovision fan questions on Twitter.

We have received songs and we are hopeful

Rubira confirmed that songs had been received throughout December. She continued to say the Operación Triunfo team were “making a selection of the best of these”, hopeful that “the audience will chose the best option”.
She continued to confirm that Spanish compositions were being prioritised, after which they would then look for the best topics and then pair an artist with a song that suits them.
Defending the decision taken to prioritise the Spanish language, and commit to a national final with songs only in the native language, Rubira said “anyone who sings in English without mastering the language ceases to produce a good song”.
As with any other show similar to Operación Triunfo, the contestants will only be given a week to prepare the song that they are given.

Operación Triunfo down to its final six

We are only a couple of weeks away from confirmation of the five artists who will compete for the chance to represent Spain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. Following our article earlier this week, Amaia remains the favourite to win the Spanish ticket to Lisbon.

The contestants still in with a chance of being in the Top 5 and participating in the Eurovision Gala episode are Agoney, Aitana, Alfred, Amaia, Miriam and one of Ana Guerra and Roi.
The Spanish representative will be chosen on January 29th.

Spain looking to improve upon recent results

The last three years has seen Spain finish in the bottom section of the scoreboard, with Manel Navarro propping up the scoreboard in the Final last year. “Do It for Your Lover” finished 26th, receiving only 5 points. In 2016, Europe did not “Say Yay” to Barei as she finished 22nd. Edurne perfomed “Amanecer” in 2015 and ended in 21st place.

Spain’s only top 10 results this decade came courtesy of two big vocal powerhouses: Ruth Lorenzo in 2014 and Pastora Soler in 2011. Both “Dancing in the Rain” and “Quédate conmigo” finished in 10th place, charming Eurovision fans globally with their huge voices and sweeping pop ballads.

Are you hopeful that Spain will get a better result in 2018? Who would you like to see win the Spanish ticket to Eurovision from the final artists left in consideration in Operación Triunfo? Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.