During the Heads of Delegation meeting this week, it was confirmed that Portugal will be performing 8th in this year’s Grand Final. Does the running order affect where the host country will place?
Host country – need the luck of the draw?
Prior to 2012, the host country’s position in the running order, along with everyone else’s position was determined by a draw. Ever since 2013, only the starting position of the host country was drawn. The rest of the line-up was decided by the producers and approved by the reference group.
How has host countries been doing since?
Ever since this method of selecting has been done, it has brought mixed results to the host countries.
- 2013 (Sweden) – performed 16th – placed 14th
- 2014 (Denmark) – performed 23rd – placed 9th
- 2015 (Austria) – performed 14th – placed 26th
- 2016 (Sweden) – performed 9th – placed 5th
- 2017 (Ukraine) – performed 22nd – placed 24th
Out of all the host countries for the past five years, only two of them managed to break the top ten (Sweden and Denmark) whilst have placed mid-table (or possibly worse), a nil-points.
As for Portugal this year, they are sticking to what they know, it looks like they are on course to finish on the left-hand side of the scoreboard at least.
Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018
A few weeks ago, Portugal selected the act that will represent them in Lisbon. This was done through their national selection ‘Festival de Cancao’. After three weeks, they have selected Cláudia Pascoal with the song ‘O Jardim’ (The Garden).
As the host country for this year’s contest, Portugal directly qualified to the Grand Final this year and will be performing 8th.
Do you think Cláudia will deliver a great result on home soil?. Let us know your opinions and thoughts below or at social media @ESCXTRA.
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