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Austria: ORF to broadcast Eurovision 2008 final only
After disappointing results in 2004 and 2005, Austria withdrew from the competition in 2006 but returned in 2007. When Eric Papilaya finished 27th (second last) with only four points in the semi final, this led to another withdrawal.
However, as ORF is broadcasting the Eurovision 2008 final, this may allow Austria to possibly return to the contest in 2009.
Overall, despite a victory in 1966, Austria is one of the less successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest: only 17 of the 43 Austrian entries finished in the first half of the scoreboard.
ORF will broadcast the Eurovision 2008 final on ORF 1 beginning at 21:00 CET.
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Why can't they show both semi finals? I mean, do they have something more important to show instead? I doubt it.
I hope they come back next year.
Ja, auf geht's Ösis... loool
Auf gehts Ösis! :-)
Wir würden uns freun!
They're back in business next year.
Can anyone stop this "dereymaydan" thing?
GO OSTARRICHI!! Tune in to Euro 2008!! GO OSTARRICHI!!
http://delirium.fm/
mor ve otesi (TURKEY)
CRAZY
CRAZY
CRAZY
CRAZY
SUPER SUPER SUPER
No semis in ORF... . As far as semifinals are concerned, I didn't see them scheduled neither for TVE nor RTP! But--> r e l i e f--> NDR will broadcast the semis!
@ Florian
I know that of all countries it is a bit funny that it is Austria complaining because they hardly have a prestigious record in the competition, but I still think ORF have a point in that maybe whatever they send will be at the bottom. I would definitely prefer Austria back, the more countries the better, but I don't think they have an equal chance of winning the competition even before songs are selected.
I know as well that RTE for Ireland seriously thought about pulling out for this year for the same reasons but instead they are sending Dustin now to make their point more noticeable if that is the way to put it!
I still really liked that Bobbie Singer song too - it was well catchy!
If the voting system is finally changed for 2009 it will enhance the possibilities of comeback for Austria, Slovakia and Monaco.
However, I think money it's always the main reason for taking part or not: Slovakia don't participate due to costs on Euro 2008 and Beijing Olympics and ORF the same (Austria hosts Euro 2008). Monaco it's another story and only if the system changes we could see it again in ESC.
When ORF is not able to send a decent song in German, what would be the use of participating...
OK! Cool down guyz, it's only Eurovision.lol.
....but I still like Botox- Perrelli (for those who are from Sweden)
;-))))
Falter Im Wind by The Milestones was an excellent song. I think it got 100points, but that was back in about 1971.
I'm sorry, Matthew Eurovision - the UK's song is NOT good. It is dull, boring, watered-down chart-fodder-type muzak that we in the UK have come to accept as musical excellence - because that is what record-producers feed us. Andy's got a great voice, no doubt about that, but the song has nothing - nothing - to recommend it. I envisage about 10-to-15 points total, maximum.
My favourites:
1. PORTUGAL
2. Switzerland
3. Serbia
4. Moldavia
5. Greece
LISBON 2009
This a plea for you to please vote for The United Kingdom on 24th May. All of us here in The UK have wanted a good result for years. We have sent a good song, so can't you be good by voting for us?
We all desperate to win this year. We just want to show that we can put on a great show next year!
So please, please. please do the right thing by voting 02 in the final.
Only sore losers will withdraw because of disappointing results- in the last 10 years the only decent entry from Austria was by Alf Poier in 2003, so why be disappointed about bad results when the other songs were just not that good?
- stefan forsberg
Aaah I see! In the book "nul points", the writer tried to interview him to talk about his nul points experience, but he refused to talk about it.
THE BEST ENTRY OF AUSTRIA IS LISA MONA LISA (WILFRIED ) IN1988.UNFORGETABLE SONG FOR ME.
Thomas ended up 5th in 1989. In 1991 he got 0 points, that correct. He was kind of cute, but you could se he was losing his hair quite early.
@ Andreas Blaschke:
Sorry, but I think Tony Wegas was dreadful, every time he took part in ESC. The few Austrian entries I like are: 1971, 1979, 1980, 1990, 1994, 1999 and 2005.
Whatever, I want Austria and Slovakia back in the contest. I don't care if they score for good or for bad: the more songs, the better. Hehehe.
I don't miss Austria. For me, they shouldn't return.
Their last good entry was....emm..wait, did they ever send a good entry? 
TONIGHT AT 22.35 (LOCAL TIME), EUROVISION PREVIEW SHOW ON TRT 1 AND TRT INT.
Such a shame that so many people here, insulting austrians!
Once more for the "we-do-not-want-to-understand" and "our-brain-seems-to-be-quite-small" people:
Not we - the austrians - are withdrawing, it's the ORF: not the people in this country, only the responsible people from the TV-station. Many people hate this, many people do not agree, many people wish it differently, but WE HAVE NO CHANCE or influence on ORF.
POINT!
And it's a fact, that even VERY GOOD songs got ignored by many countries: for example the Rounder Girls, Manuel Ortega, Tona Wegas, Georg Nussbaumer, Bobbie Singer ....
There we less good songs in the past that got high positions and nobody can really explain .... but it's OK for me and I do not insult other europeans!
And I do not think it's pathetic to remind people of HIV. A shame that even a good things is turned into BAD by some people here.
- stefan forsberg
Didn't he get nul points???
IMO, their best entry is Y Asi! 
Amazing song!
Please vote for Poland !!!! For Life !!!!
Personally, I think the last time Austria sent a good song was way back in 1989. Anyone know what happend to Thomas Forstner?
I don't think they'll be the last western country to withdraw if the 'vote for a flag' tradition is repeated this year (and there's no reason to believe that it will change).
To be fair though it is a long time ago since Austria sent a decent song, Bobby Singer in 1999 was one of my favs. And Austria's abstention means 12 less points for Serbia
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