Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009


Finland was present at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, held in Moscow, Russia. The country was represented by Waldo's People with "Lose Control".

Before Eurovision

Euroviisut 2009

12 entries competed in three semi-finals held on 9, 16 and 23 January 2009, with four entries taking part in each show. The top two entries from each semi-final advanced directly to the final, while the remaining two entries advanced to the Second Chance round on 31 January 2009. An additional two entries from the Second Chance round qualified for the final also on 31 January 2009. The results for all shows were determined exclusively by a public vote.

Competing entries

Composers had until 1 November 2008 to submit songs. The 12 artists to compete were announced on 25 September 2008. They include many former Euroviisut participants, including 12-time Euroviisut participant Tapani Kansa, 1994 participant Janita, 2002 participant Sani, 2004 participant Riikka and winner of Euroviisut 2004 Jari Sillanpää. Each artist has been drawn into a semi-final, and the songs that each artist will sing were released on 3 December 2008.

Semi-final 1

The first semi-final of Euroviisut 2009 was held on 9 January 2009, and featured four songs. Two songs qualified for the final, while the other two acts would progress to the Second Chance round.
The first performance of the show was Kwan with "10,000 Light Years". The song is a hip-hop/pop song which the group performed in black outfits. Fire, light and pyrotechnics was used frequently on stage for visual presentation. Second on stage was Riikka, performing "Meren". The song is an ethnic piece, performed in a blue haze on stage. Riikka, dressed in a black and white dress, is joined by five female backing singers, all in black. Next on stage was Tapani Kansa, performing "Rakkautta on, rauhaa ei". The song is a ballad, which Kansa performs in a black, and he is joined on stage by five female backing singers in white. During the start of his performance, however, Kansa loses his cue and stops singing, however he starts again shortly afterwards. The final performance of the night came from Tiara, who performs "Manala". The song is a rock number, which Tiara performs in a black and red dress. She is joined on stage by a three-man band and two female backing singers, all in black.
Tapani Kansa and Kwan were revealed to be the qualifiers for the final, having gained 37.4% and 31.9% of the televote respectively. Riikka and Tiara went to the Second Chance round.

Semi-final 2

The second semi-final was held on 16 January, with another four songs competing. Two more songs qualified for the final, with the remaining songs going to the Second Chance round.
The first act on stage from the second semi-final was Sani with "Doctor, Doctor". The performance is 60s inspired, featuring many classic Finnish items on stage. Sani begins her performance sitting in a ball chair, with three female backing dances in black and white Marimekko dresses, and two female backing singers in black dresses. The song itself is an up-tempo pop number. Favourites to win, Passionworks are next on stage, joined by Tony Turunen. The female soloist is in a long purple dress, featuring a large snowflake protruding from the back. Turunen begins the performance of this rock song on a black piano on stage, before standing up and singing. Remu gives the penultimate performance of the night, singing "Planeetta". He performance the rock number in a black suit with burgundy suit, and is joined on stage by three female backing singers/dancers. two of the backing performers wears black suits, while the remaining backing performer performs in a burgundy suit, wearing a Halloween mask. Waldo's People is last on stage, however the band are absent from the show in order to emphasize the vocals and performance. Waldo, dressed in a black top, jeans and cap, is joined on stage by three female singers, dressed in black, as well as two backing performers juggling fire, also dressed in black leather. Fire is used throughout the performance for effect.
Waldo's People and Remu Aaltonen qualified for the final, receiving 44,3% and 28,6% respectively. Pre-contest favourites Passionworks, and Sani, failed to qualify and competed in the Second Chance round.

Semi-final 3

The final semi-final was held on 23 January, with another four songs competing. Two more songs qualified for the final, with the remaining songs going to the Second Chance round.
First on stage was Signmark, with Osmo Ikonen, with the song "Speakerbox". The song is a hip-hop song which includes the use of sign language during the performance. Janita was next on stage, singing "Martian". The song is a rock number, which Janita performs in a black dress, and she is accompanied on stage by a lead and bass guitarists and a drummer, all in black. Rock band Vink was the penultimate performance for the night, with "The Greatest Plan", an energetic pop-rock song. The group and backing singer were all in black for their performance. The band and backing singers are dressed in black jackets and colourful T-shirts. The final song to be performed was "Kirkas kipinä" by Jari Sillanpää, who represented Finland at the 2004 contest. Sillanpää performed the ballad in a black suit, and was joined on stage by four backing singers who moved about on stage during the performance, dressed in shades of white and black. Gymnast Marleena Saresvirta also performed on stage during the song.
From this semi-final, Signmark and Jari Sillanpää advanced to the final, receiving 46.5% and 34% of the televotes. Janita and Vink failed to qualify, proceeding to the Second Chance round.

Second Chance

The Second Chance round contained the six semi-finalists that failed to qualify for the final, getting the fewest votes in the televote. They performed again for the chance to qualify for the final. The two qualifiers were Passionworks feat. Tony Turunen with "Surrender" and Vink with "The Greatest Plan".

Final

The final was held on 31 January 2009 in Leonardo Hall in Tampere, hosted by Jaana Pelkonen and Mikko Peltonen. The winner was selected over two rounds of public televoting. In the first round, the top four entries were selected to proceed to the second round, the superfinal: Signmark feat. Osmo Ikonen with "Speakerbox", Waldo's People with "Lose Control" and Passionworks feat. Tony Turunen with "Surrender". In the superfinal, Waldo's People with "Lose Control" was selected as the winner with 45.1% of the votes.
During the final, male dance group 'Scandinavian Hunks' and metal cover band 'Northern Kings' performed as interval acts.

At Eurovision

Since Finland was not one of the "Big Four" and was not the host of the 2009 contest, it competed in the first semi-final and qualified for the finals. Finland performed with the entry number 24 in the final, and it placed last, receiving only 22 points. Finland's commentary was provided in Finnish on YLE TV2 by Jaana Pelkonen, Mikko "Peltsi" Peltola, and Asko Murtomäki, while Swedish commentary was provided by Tobias Larsson.

Split results

Semi Final voting
Finland's televoting for the first semi final were as follows:
The televotes were then converted into points, as shown in the points column.
DrawCountryTelevotesPoints
15490
22410
34690
42 1034
55 94910
61 1471
77030
82 2195
92 6937
102 4306
114040
129 84612
137870
146540
15 FinlandN/AN/A
161 6512
171 8283
184 2378

Final voting
Finland's televoting for the grand final were as follows:
The televotes were then converted into points, as shown in the televote points column. As the 50/50 rule had also been re-introduced a jury of 5 professionals in music from Finland also voted. These votes were then combined and converted into the point system as shown in the final column.
DrawCountryTelevotesTelevote
Points		Jury
Points		TotalFinal
Points
11 5310
22 29211
33 4673694
47 5177297
59470
62 2030
79 8658122010
82 75711
91 409441
103 18022
114 441552
125 3586396
131 1870
141 986773
1516 22512102212
161 6920
171 6500
183 9094595
192 1910
2015 560108188
211 2420
221 0790
231 6590
24 FinlandN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
256720

Points awarded by Finland

Semi-final 1

Final

12 points10 points8 points7 points6 points

  • 5 points4 points3 points2 points1 point
  • 12 points10 points8 points7 points6 points

    5 points4 points3 points2 points1 point