XTRA DECIDES sees the team here at ESCXTRA score the Eurovision national final songs, reviewing our winner. Follow us from here through to March 2023 as we make our choices for Eurovision 2023.
The Scores
| Score | 12s | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brooke – “Checkmate” 🏆 | 71 | 3 |
| 2 | Cheryl Balzan – La La Land | 44 | 0 |
| 2 | Maxine Pace – “Alone” | 44 | 2 |
| 2 | Eliana Gomez Blanco – “Guess What” | 44 | 0 |
| 5 | Christian Arding – “Eku Ċar | 26 | 1 |
| 5 | The Busker – “Dance (Our Own Party)” | 26 | 1 |
| 7 | Fabrizio Faniello – “Try To Be Better” | 21 | 0 |
| 7 | Ryan Hill – In the Silence | 21 | 0 |
| 9 | Giada – I Depend on You | 16 | 0 |
| 10 | Nathan – “Creeping Walls” | 13 | 0 |
| 11 | Stefan Galea – Heartbreaker | 12 | 0 |
| 12 | Matt Blxck – “UP.” | 9 | 0 |
| 13 | Geo Debono – “The Mirror” | 3 | 0 |
| 14 | Dan – “It’ll Be Ok” | 2 | 0 |
| 15 | Chris Grech – Indescribable | 1 | 0 |
| 15 | Ian – “On My Own” | 1 | 0 |
The Reviews
| Nick |
| Malta have a tendency to sometimes change a song after they win MESC, but I would advise them not to do that if (when…) Brooke wins. “Checkmate” is a very slick package, with a good hook, a good vocal. It’s Eurovision in the 20s by numbers, but that’s really a compliment in this case. It’s by far the best complete performance Malta have got to offer. So… don’t ‘MESC’ this up, okay? |
| Micheál |
| I have seen a lot of worry with Malta this year but in Brooke, they have a contender. Brooke Borg is a performer and she shows it every single time she steps on that MESC stage. How she hasn’t been chosen before this is beyond me. “Checkmate” is a fun pop song which gives Brooke the space to display her breathtaking vocals whilst having engaging and unique staging. Malta should be proud if this wins! |
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