<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> I-A-Z

Iceland

Always an interesting Eurovision nation in my book. In the past the Icelandics have sent ravishing beauties, moody & mysterious types, and even a bloke with a taste for public ononism. 
Once a bridesmaid (indeed Selma turned up in the right dress to take on the role in 1999), but never the bride, you never know what you're going to get with Iceland. To prove my point, who else would send Beethoven to sing about Socrates? Quite.

Ireland

The self-proclaimed "Home of "Eurovision", the Irish, not unlike the Americans, clearly lack a sense of irony. If I was to get pettily serious about this, it is in fact the UK who have on average the most points per contest as well as the highest placing per contest. But I won't, so instead I'll say well done to the Oirish for their record 7 wins in relatively few appearances. And without any sarcasm, may I take this opportunity to also thank them for giving the world the creative force of Michael Flately & his Riverdaaance. 

Ich Troje

Earnest alert. The main “message” song of 2003, which meant little to me as it’s was in Polish, but I could tell because the video was grainy, dark, and full of people shaking fists while carrying placards. Predicting points from Zucchero fans, and little else, imagine my surprise to see an engaging performance on the night by the pink-haired one and his ice maiden. "No Borders" finished a respectable 7th.
The lead singer, Michal, was the subject of an Osbournes-like reality TV show. After four weeks on air and due to his depth of voice, the viewing figures were dominated by dogs all over Poland.  The band was back in 2006 for another unnecessary blast of guttural aural gymnastics, dressed up as misfits from the "Eyes Wide Shut" get together.

 

Israel

"Surely Israel aren't a Eurovision nation" I hear you cry. Well just because they aren't in Europe doesn't stop them from assailing eardrums every year. Just wait for Australia to have a go.
Israel, perhaps understandably, often use the Song Contest as a bizarre sort of peace propaganda media. But they find real success when they bin that idea, and go with cross-dressers or songs called Happy Birthday, Hallelujah, or A-Ba-Ni-Bi. These songs prove the immutable law, that songs involving the same word repeated ad nauseum always prevail.
So three wins for a new nation strictly outside of Europe isn't that shabby. A proud heritage and not one to smirk at, or else you'll have a wall built around your house, and patrolling troops will use your dog as target practice just to keep you on your toes.

Imaani

Imaani was the lead vocals to the Tru Faith feat Dub Conspiracys 2000 hit "Freak Like Me" later a hit for the Sugababes. Oh, and she was in the Eurovision in 1998. IMHO this was one of the best songs ever to come from this venerable establishment. She was beaten by the bloke in the dress, in what was truly a result of satan over saint, of dirt over purity, of fun over sobriety. etc.

Ines

"You're Seventeen only Once in a Lifetime". Ines was the sixth Estonian entrant, and went to Stockholm in 2000 as quite a big favourite. She didn't live up to her promise, and while Estonia bounced back to undeserved success the following year, Ines went onto fail at pre-selections up and down the length of Northern Europe. Fate can be fickle. At least she can always be content with the fact that she was only fourth once in a lifetime

Ira Losco

Little known fact alert - Ira Losco's outfit was made by a two Maltese designers at "Hot Couture" on Malta. it was made specifically for Ira. As for what was inside the dress, she came second with a breezy demeanour, a handful of moondust, and a powerful stride. Twee, silly, slightly risque, and badly rhymed, "Seventh Wonder" was a gem, which came second. Another near miis for Malta, and the best.

Italy

Italy’s turbulent Eurovision history is not unlike that of adolescence. A big spurt of successful growth around the 12yr old mark, then bad moods, falling outs, and latterly experimentation, before dropping out all together in a fit of pique. Fans expect them to appear from their bedroom soon, and join the land of the Eurovision living once more, considerably more mature, and maybe up for a fight despite their nature.

Ivan Mikulic

Ivan did well really. A Balkan uni-browed Chris De Burgh sang a very dull song in 2004...the easy listening of the contest (if anything Eurosong can be categorised as easy listening). It's virtually impossible to hold a strong opinion on this one. The type of song that gets some grannies salivating, and everyone else snoring & retching in turns.
It was reported that Ivan went out after the show and howled in the moonlight with Julie from Malta. The real surprise of the semi, who, yes, you guessed it, finished mid-table in the final.

Ivan & Delfin

Ivan & Delfin have appeared on the Polish version of Blind Date. I'm guessing they would have had to do the choosing to get the free holiday. The song was a gypsy tinged barn dancing type of thing, which failed to rouse on any level. I'm a bit afraid of being too harsh, or Ivan & Delfin may cast a thousand curses on my Eurosong family. And I wouldn't want that. The traveller in me should like this, but the traveller in me balked by the time the chorus arrived. By the time of the final, Ivan was back in Warsaw sipping bison grass vodka.