As this year's early Malta Song For Europe (MSFE) concludes, we are left with a winner at our mercy. And I say at our mercy because no matter how good the song and singer is, showers of criticisms will still fall on him, in this year's case: her.

Till the Final stage, the public opinion was completely excluded from the judging system; but now got a whooping 80% of the whole voting bulk. As the rest 20% was allocated to the "expert" judges. So, Malta got the following results:

First Place: 78 points, 16,979 public votes: Vodka - Morena

Second Place: 68 points, 12,714 public votes: Caravaggio - Claudia Faniello

Third Place: 64 points - 4,518 public votes: Sunrise - Claudia Faniello

Early comments from all over Europe about Morena's Vodka are mostly negative, comparing it to Ukraine's Ruslana, complaining about her diction and saying that it's just a lot of noise pollution. Well, what do you expect out of a song for Eurovision?

But let's say it, the song can't be that bad. Sending the singer alone is already a deal (forget that I couldn't determine whether last year's winner was a male or female singer) :P It has an eastern-orientated theme which might get us some votes from that Eastern Europe Mafia Zone. Its title is innovative - no country can copy it in the years to come (not that anyone might want to, but anyway). It's modern and will surely be a title which most of the younger generation would be curious to see what this Vodka (probabbly their favourite drink) is all about, but loosing some votes from conservative old farts.

Here are the lyrics of the song:

Nastarovje - - Nastarovje

The hunt is still on
Here in Gorkij Park
I'm in Danger Zone
Everywhere is pitch dark

I'm running away
To a blanket of snow
Spy 1 to Spy 4
I've deciphered the code

{Chorus}

VODKA
That's the secret word
VODKA
And they want it so bad
VODKA
I've deciphered the code
Got a rush in the head
VODKA
A transparent word

Nastarovje - - Nastarovje

Cold blood drums within
They breathe down my neck
Spy 1 to Spy 4
we just have to connect

Well, we'll see in a couple of months how far this song is capable of taking Malta ...

Now that the Malta Eurovision Song Contest for Europe 2008 Semi-Final is over, 8 songs from a total of 17 have been chosen to compete for the top spots during the Final.

The 8 finalists songs are listed below, which you can click on to download the video clip showing their performances at the Semis:

Go - Klinsmann
Casanova - Morena
Street Car of Desire - Petra Zammit
Vodka - Morena
Give me a Chance - Eleanor Cassar
Love is Just the Way - Rosman Pace
Sunrise - Claudia Faniello
Caravaggio - Claudia Faniello

Which are the top 3 in your opinion?

The following are the 17 songs participating in the Semi-Finals of the Malta Song for Europe 2008 in playing order. Which one do you think will take the top spot at the finals?

LOVED BY YOU - Glen and Pamela

CARAVAGGIO - Claudia Faniello

GIVE ME A CHOICE - Eleanor Cassar

MY LAST ENCORE - Mary Spiteri

CASANOVA - Morena

THROW YOUR STONES - Daniela Vella

LOVE IS JUST THE WAY - Rosman Pace

GO - Klinsmann

VODKA - Morena

WHISPERS - Pamela

SUPERHERO - Klinsmann

Contradiction - Jean Claude Vancell

ALL RIGHT - Chris & Moira

TANGLED - Jessica Muscat

IF YOU BELIEVE - Mary Spiteri

STREET CAR OF DESIRE - Petra Zammit

SUNRISE - Claudia Faniello