Maltese couple faces first test tonight

Julie and Ludwig gave a fine performance during their two dress rehearsals yesterday afternoon, drawing loud applause which echoed through Abdi Ipecki Hall, where tonight's semi-final of the 49th Eurovision Song Contest will be held.

The duo, who sang their upbeat song On Again... Off Again with confidence and flair, said they were prepared and focused to face the challenge, even though the butterflies had started to flutter.

Off stage they were swamped by foreign media and spent over an hour giving interviews to journalists who wanted to know all about their performance and their personal lives.

Tonight's show will determine whether Malta will be present at the contest's final on Saturday. The second test for the young couple would then be to place among the top 10 to guarantee the island's participation in next year's contest.

So far the odds are in their favour and polls and bookmakers are predicting that Julie and Ludwig will woo the international public tonight and win enough support to go on to the final.

Philip Vella and Gerard James Borg, the composer and lyricist of the song, are no newcomers to the scene and they felt there had been a positive reaction towards Malta's entry over the past week.

"However, this is like a lottery. We depend on whether the international public likes it and votes for it," Mr Borg said.

Mr Vella said Julie and Ludwig were facing tough competition. But the two are doing their utmost not to let the tension and pressure overcome them and they said that whatever the outcome they were enjoying their experience.

"We are giving it our very best. I feel we have conquered the stage, now we just have to wait and see," Julie said as the makeup artist brushed her lashes before she went on stage.

Ludwig said he wished he could fast-forward to tonight: "I am excited but working to remain focused."

The couple was yesterday seen wearing the outfits they are expected to perform in tonight. Julie donned a flattering pink, flowing dress, while Ludwig wore a white shirt and black trousers.

This morning they have one last chance to test their performance at the final rehearsal before tonight's show, which will be broadcast live on TVM at 9 p.m. The results will be announced right at the end.

The 22 countries taking part tonight are: Finland, Belarus, Switzerland, Latvia, Israel, Andorra, Portugal, Malta, Monaco, Greece, Ukraine, Lithuania, Albania, Cyprus, FYR Macedonia, Slovenia, Estonia, Croatia, Denmark, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Netherlands.