Italy’s Annalisa wins OGAE Second Chance Contest with record breaking number of points

The results of the OGAE Second Chance Contest have been announced, and the winner is Annalisa from Italy.  Her song “Il Mondo Prima Di Te” won with 350 points, setting a new record for the contest.

The annual event, which aims to shed light on national final songs that deserve a second chance at Eurovision glory, was held is Eskilstuna, Sweden following Sweden’s victory last year in Warsaw.  This year, 27 countries nominated what each believed was their best non-winning national final entry from the 2018 season.  A total of 44 different countries participated in the voting, setting another record for the contest.

Viewers were treated to live performances, which featured Erik Linder (Melfest 2010), Michele Imberti, and a surprise appearance by last year’s winner Mariette, who performed her winning song, “A Million Years”.

Earlier this summer, our readers voted for their favourite entry competing in the 2018 Second Chance Contest.  Your favorites were Spain’s “Lo Malo” by Ana & Aitana with 13.75% of the votes and San Marino’s “Out of the Twilight” by Sara de Blue, which earned 13.13% of the votes.

The contest’s winning song “Il Mondo Prima Di Te” by Annalisa fell a bit short in our poll and came in seventh place with 4.4% of the votes.  And while Armenia’s Nemra finished third in our poll, they ended up landing in 24th place out of the 27 competing entries.  Our readers did, however, correctly predict Iceland’s last place finish in what seems to be shaping up to be the year of last place finishes for the country.

Back in February, Annalisa placed third in Italy’s illustrious Sanremo Festival, which serves as their national selection for Eurovision.  And while she may not have taken the title in Sanremo, she has certainly earned this win in Eskilstuna, which marks Italy’s third Second Chance Contest victory.

Coming in second place at the contest is France’s Emmy Liyanna, whose song “OK ou KO” left a lasting impression on Eurovision fans.  Rounding out the top three and breaking her “second place curse” is Saara Aalto from Finland.  Her bronze medal achievement in Eskilstuna marks Finland’s best result since their win in 2000.

OGAE Second Chance Contest 2018 — official results

1. Italy: Annalisa – “Il Mondo Prima Di Te” (350 points)
2. France: Emmy Liyana – “OK ou KO” (302 points)
3. Finland: Saara Aalto – “Domino” (233 points)
4. Spain: Ana & Aitana – “Lo Malo” (215 points)
5. Norway: Rebecca – “Who We Are” (202 points)
6. Sweden: John Lundvik – “My Turn” (189 points)
7. Denmark: Albin Fredy – “Music for the Road” (161 points)
8. Czechia: Eva Burešová – “Fly” (144 points)
9. Germany: VoXXclub – “I Mog Di So” (114 points)
10. Albania: Inis Neziri – “Piedestal” (89 points)
11. Hungary: Yesyes – “I Let You Run Away” (88 points)
12. Rest Of The World (San Marino): Sara de Blue – “Out of the Twilight” (85 points)
13. United Kingdom: Asanda – “Legends” (82 points)
14. Estonia: Stig Rästa – “Home” (56 points)
15. Latvia: Edgars Kreilis – “Younger Days” (49 points)
16. Ukraine: Kadnay – “Beat of the Universe” (33 points)
17. Switzerland: Alejandro Reyes – “Compass” (31 points)
18. Portugal: Catarina Miranda – “Para Sorrir Eu Não Preciso De Nada” (28 points)
19. Serbia: Saška Janks – “Pesma Za Tebe” (22 points)
20. Slovenia: Nuška Drašcek – “Ne Zapusti Me Zdaj” (16 points)
21. Poland: Ifi Ude – “Love Is Stronger” (15 points)
22. Belarus: Gunesh – “I Won’t Cry” (14 points)
23. Lithuania: Paula – “1 2 3” (11 points)
24. Armenia: Nemra – “I’m A Liar” (9 points)
25. Romania: Feli – “Royalty” (7 points)
26. Malta: Richard & Joe – “Song For Dad” (5 points)
27. Iceland: Dagur Sigurðsson – “Í Stormi” (2 points)

What do you think?  Are you happy with the results?  Or do you think your favorite should be entered in a third chance contest?  Sound off in the comment below!