When Croatia decided to return to Junior Eurovision in 2014, we were sure that the nation which won the inaugural Junior Eurovision in 2003 would be sticking around for several years to come. Sadly we appear to have been wrong, as an official at Croatia’s state broadcaster HRT has told ESC Plus that they will not field a contestant. No reason was given. We can’t help but think of the chorus from Croatia’s 2014 song: “Game, game over, no more restart…”

wiwibloggs has reached out to HRT for an official explanation, but they have not responded. We’re pretty sure their withdrawal is down to their results from last year. American-born Josephine Zec — a wunderkind who had set up a gaming programmes for girls, which is now being replicated by the UN throughout the Balkans — finished last in Malta with her song “Game Over”. She received just one point from San Marino (on top of the 12 freebie points the EBU kindly gives to all the junior participants).

We have it on good account that the EBU gave Croatia’s broadcaster a major discount in 2014, so it’s unlikely the transmission fee is to blame for their exit. Given that, is there any hope the EBU can woo Croatia to the contest in Bulgaria?

Regardless, we are happy to have met this lovely and talented girl anyway.

FOLLOW OUR JUNIOR EUROVISION COVERAGE BY CLICKING HERE

14 Comments
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Oskar
Oskar
8 years ago

I am just curious, when we’re talking about Croatia’s withdrawal.
Are Sweden going to take part this year?
Because when I look at Wikipedia it says that they will, but if you look at SVTs webpage they say that there will be no Lilla Melodifestivalen this year and that they will focus on other programming…
Anyone who knows?

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
8 years ago

@Darren

I wouldn’t discount a Croatian return to Eurovision just yet. For all we know, HRT could be focusing on returning to ESC in 2016. Plus, just because a country who is currently absent from Eurovision pulls out of Junior Eurovision, doesn’t mean they won’t take part in ESC. HRT has dropped subtle hints that they plan to go the way of Russia and select the winner of The Voice Hrvatska, Nina Krajlic.

I’m sure we’ll see the land of Severina and 75 Cents in Sweden next year. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Kjetil
Kjetil
8 years ago

Not a big surprise after the last place 2014

zoharica
zoharica
8 years ago

HRT will not participate because BNT didn’t offered them anything for free (accommodation and travel costs, etc .like TVM did). They are not butthurt because of the last place at all. The same goes for their participation at ESC. If someone else pays at least 50% of all expenses, they will show up in Sweden. And no, the reason is not that HRT is poor, they are actually the richest ex yu national broadcaster.

raulescfan
raulescfan
8 years ago

I think Bosnia and Croatia won’t return until 10-12 years. And about the Junior Eurovision, I hope that Spain returns. I was just 5 when I saw my country the last time on it, so I really do not remember anything about those successful moments. And JUNIOR EUROVISION is FUCKING AMAZING!

Deniz@TurkNL
Deniz@TurkNL
8 years ago

I have a feelingf that if they return to eurovision, they will actually (like most countries) do well on their return. I think it is worth a try.

Darren
Darren
8 years ago

Doesn’t look good for a Croatian return in the grown up version in 2016, as I was hoping.
I dont know why Croatia does so bad at Eurovision, compared to other countries, they are really not the worst and they should benefit from Ex-Yugoslav and Diaspora bloc voting, but they dont. They were good in 2010 and 2013, they should have qualified those years. Zagreb would actually be a cool host city.

Otna
Otna
8 years ago

Poor Josie tbh.

Adam
Adam
8 years ago

Felt really bad that she got last place with technically only 1 point, but honestly i remember watching her performance and thinking “wow this kinda sucks, i think theyll get last place”. Hope she didnt feel too sad or discouraged, shes still definitely a lot smarter than me haha

Jo Mercado
Jo Mercado
8 years ago

@Jack

You can’t always have things your way. And even JESC 2014 is better than ESC 2015.

Jack
Jack
8 years ago

Junior Eurovision is awful – it’s hard to watch because the songs are so bad, creepy watching children dance about and most out of tune. Ebu should scrap it and make something better. 2nd chance contest for the participants that lost at Eurovision with a different song ????

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
8 years ago

Oh crap, I thought I was commenting on the Eurovision 2016 Host poll. My mistake. Egg on face ME. 😛

Deven O'Kearney
Deven O'Kearney
8 years ago

I love Petra Mede, but I think that we should see someone else hosting Eurovision from Sweden because I’d hate to think that it might not work out as desired if she is chosen and it would be “egg on face SVT”. They’d be marred with comments like “You weren’t very creative.”. That’s my only fear.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Petra. She did an amazing job hosting ESC 2013 but I think let someone else do it.

Zac
Zac
8 years ago

is anyone remotely surprised tbh