Eurovision FACTory

The top 3 of both 1962 and 1986 consist of songs sung in French only. All francophone countries – France (winner of 1962), Belgium (winner of 1986), Switzerland, Luxembourg and Monaco – appeared on the top 3 at least once in both years, with Luxembourg finishing 3rd on both occasions.

Three entries were sung in imaginary or constructed language. Coincidentally, this was done by countries bordering each other: Belgium, who have done it twice, and the Netherlands. One of them finished second and was just a few points away from winning, while the other two didn't qualify to the final.

In 2002, Portugal withdrew. This led to a originally relegated country being able to participate: Latvia. The rest is history! It was pure coincidence that Latvia took the vacant spot as they had to win a tie-break against the Netherlands first. Before that, the EBU increased the number of participants which allowed Portugal to compete in the first place, as they were also initially relegated.

This year, everyone said that Croatia could achieve something unique, something unlikely. They could make history, and it would be a true "fairytale story" had it actually gone all the way. Someone who wasn't even supposed to be at Eurovision actually being on the verge of winning? All of this has happened before, all the way back in 2002... Back in the mid 1990's and early 2000's, semi finals didn't exist and getting to perform in Eurovision was up to a relegation system. The lowest finishing countries of the previous year (except the Big 5) were not allowed to compete the year after. But one lucky turn of events would alter history... Portugal was among those relegated and therefore initially not allowed to participate in 2002, until the EBU decided to increase the number of countries by two. However, they eventually withdrew, making way for... Latvia! And, amazingly enough, they had to win a tie-break against the Netherlands first. So it was by sheer luck t...