Melodi Grand Prix 2008
| Eurovision Song Contest 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country |
 Norway
|
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| National selection | ||||
| Selection process | Melodi Grand Prix 2008 | |||
| Selection date(s) |
Semi-finals 12 January 2008 19 January 2008 26 January 2008 Second Chance 6 February 2008 Final 9 February 2008 |
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| Selected entrant | Maria Haukaas Storeng | |||
| Selected song | "Hold On Be Strong" | |||
| Finals performance | ||||
| Semi-final result | Qualified (4th, 106 points) | |||
| Final result | 5th, 182 points | |||
| Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
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Norway was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 by Maria Haukaas Storeng, performing the song "Hold On Be Strong". Storeng was chosen through the Norwegian national final, Melodi Grand Prix, organised by the Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK).
18 artists in total competed in the semi-finals of Melodi Grand Prix 2008, with only eight acts progressing to the final, held on 9 February at the Oslo Spektrum. After the votes of both the juries and televoting, Storeng was announced the winner of the contest, and represented Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Storeng's song, composed by Mira Craig, competed in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2008 on 20 May 2008. She qualified to the final, coming 4th of 19 with 106 points. At the final, closing the contest of 25 competing entries, she placing 5th, receiving a total of 182 points. This was Norway's best placing at the contest since 2003, and their best placing since semi-finals were introduced to the contest in 2004.
Norway first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960, placing fourth in their debut entry. Shortly afterwards however, Norway began to fare worse at Eurovision, becoming known for coming last place. Having come last place six times, their best place at that point was third place in 1966, when Åse Kleveland represented the country with "Intet er nytt under solen". In total, Norway has come last 10 times, the most for any country at Eurovision, with its latest in 2004.
Norway first win came in 1985, when duo Bobbysocks, Hanne Krogh and Elisabeth Andreassen, won the contest with "La det swinge". In 1986 Norway hosted the competition for the first time in the city of Bergen. Norway won again ten years later, at the 1995 contest, when Secret Garden beat the competition with "Nocturne". At the 1996 contest, held again in Norway, this time in the capital of Oslo, Norway came close to winning again, coming second with "I evighet", performed again by Elisabeth Andreassen.
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