Who’s waiting for the Eurovision bouquet to be hurled their way?
by Chris Zeiher, Australia

For every overachieving Eurovision nation (Ireland, Sweden, UK we’re looking at you) there’s a cluster of nations who’ve been waiting patiently for their first win. So, who’s been waiting the longest?
I want 2016’s winner to come from one of these 4 patient and persistent nations.

Portugal – debuted in 1964, 48 entries
Portugal is statistically the nation who has waited the longest for a Eurovision win. Sadly, this tiny Mediterranean nation has yet to even finish inside the Top 5 from all of their attempts. In 2008 it was Vania Fernandes’ “Senhora Do Mar (Negras Aguas)” which looked set to break the Top 5 drought after it finished 2nd in its Semi. Alas, the final proved a harder hunting ground and the entry placed outside the top 10.

Iceland – debuted in 1986, 28 entries
Reykjavik is a Eurovision host city in waiting and Iceland has found itself in the bridesmaid position twice before; in 1999 with Selma’s “All Out of Luck” and then ten years later in 2009 with Yohanna’s “Is it True?”. Iceland’s form is healthy with 5 Top 5 finishes since its 1986 debut and with its incredibly eclectic musical exports a win is only a matter of when not if.

Malta – debuted in 1971, 28 entries
Another tiny island nation which is ripe for Eurovision hosting duty Malta has placed in the Top 10 a staggering 12 times for no victories. Having come in 2nd twice, in 2002 and 2005, the Maltese internal selection contest is one of the most competitive.

Cyprus – debuted in 1981, 32 entries
Finishing 6th on debut Cyprus signalled from their earliest entries that they were going to be a competitor to watch. 31 entries later the Cypriote’s have only managed to finish as high as 5th which they’ve achieved 3 times and have landed Top 10 an impressive 9 times. Again, this is nation where a win is only a matter of time.