Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989

Eurovision Song Contest 1989
Country  Finland
National selection
Selection process National Final
Selection date(s) 4 February 1989
Selected entrant Anneli Saaristo
Selected song "La dolce vita"
Finals performance
Final result 7th, 76 points
Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄1988 1989 1990►

Finland was represented by Anneli Saaristo, with the song '"La dolce vita", at the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 6 May in Lausanne, Switzerland. "La dolce vita" was chosen as the Finnish entry at the national final organised by broadcaster Yle and held on 4 February.

Final

The final was held at the Kultturitalo in Helsinki, hosted by Tarja Koskela. Ten songs took part with the winner chosen by an "expert" jury. Other participants included former Finnish representatives Kirka (1984) and Sonja Lumme (1985).[1]

Finnish National Final - 4 February 1989
Draw Artist Song Points Place
1 Anneli Saaristo "Oi äiti maa" 74 3
2 Mervi Hiltunen "Kan det vara kärlek" 72 4
3 Kirka "Hiljaissuuta" 62 5=
4 Meiju Sivas "Rauhaton sydän" 24 10
5 Tanjalotta Räikkä "Huominen Eurooppa" 39 8
6 Anneli Saaristo "La dolce vita" 110 1
7 Kim Lönnholm "Minä olen muistanut" 52 7
8 Sonja Lumme "Rakkauden laulut" 62 5=
9 Chris Owen "Vad finns kvar" 103 2
10 Marjorie "Kahden juhla" 31 9

At Eurovision

On the night of the final Saaristo performed 14th in the running order, following Austria and preceding France. As the title suggests, "La dolce vita" was a song with strong Mediterranean influences and proved more appealing to international juries than most Finnish entries to this point. At the close of voting it had received 76 points (including four 10s from France, Israel, Turkey and Yugoslavia), placing Finland 7th of the 22 entries, the country's highest placement of the 1980s and best finish since 1975. The Finnish jury awarded its 12 points to Denmark.[2]

Points Awarded by Finland

Final

12 points Denmark
10 points Italy
8 points Spain
7 points Yugoslavia
6 points United Kingdom
5 points Israel
4 points Netherlands
3 points France
2 points Portugal
1 point Austria

Points Awarded to Finland

Points Awarded to Finland (Final)
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

See also

References