Estonia | |
---|---|
Member station | ERR |
National selection events |
National final
|
Participation summary | |
Appearances | 22 (14 finals) |
First appearance | 1994 |
Best result | 1st: 2001 |
Worst result | Last: 2016 SF |
External links | |
ERR page | |
Estonia's page at Eurovision.tv | |
For the most recent participation see Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 |
Estonia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 22 times since making its debut in 1994. Its first appearance would have taken place in 1993, however a qualification round was installed for seven former Eastern bloc countries hoping to make their debut in the contest, with Estonia failing to qualify. Estonia has won the contest once, in 2001.
Estonia's first participation in 1994 was not a successful one, coming second last only to Lithuania. The country was then relegated from the 1995 contest. From its second entry in 1996, the country entered its best era in the contest, finishing in the top eight in six out of seven contests (1996–2002). Maarja-Liis Ilus and Ivo Linna's fifth place in 1996 was the first top five ranking for a former Soviet country. Maarja-Liis Ilus returned to finish eighth in 1997, Evelin Samuel and Camille were sixth in 1999 and Ines was fourth in 2000, before Tanel Padar, Dave Benton & 2XL gave Estonia its first victory in 2001. This made Estonia the first former Soviet country to win the contest and the second eastern European country to win, after Yugoslavia in 1989. The 2002 contest was held in Tallinn, with Sahlene finishing joint third for the hosts.