As the 48th Eurovision Song Contest kicks off tonight, Lynn Chircop has booked a massage for this morning to ensure her nerves are eased before the big performance at Skonto Hall in Latvia's capital Riga.

If yesterday's dress rehearsal is anything to go by, Lynn should have nothing to worry about because her three-minute performance went well and was greeted with loud applause.

The €6 million-production will be watched live on television by over 200 million viewers - including thousands of Maltese who will surely be glued to their sets when the show kicks off at 9 p.m. on TVM with live commentary from John Bundy.

This year both the artistes and the songs are of a very high standard and Lynn faces tough competition from the Russian duo t.A.T.u., whose two singles have hit international charts, and Eurovision's favourites Spain, Portugal and Greece.

However, the predictions of bookmakers could be overturned because for the first time this year all 26 competing countries, excepting Russia, will be using televoting, so the result is in the hands of the international public.

Maltasong chairman Charlò Bonnici said he was quite satisfied with the way the technical and dress rehearsals had worked out. There were some minor glitches, but nothing that could not be resolved by tonight.

"I am not content with the direction of Latvian television, but we are happy with Lynn's performance and that of the backing vocals. There's tough competition, but as far as the performance went they gave their maximum. Now we have to wait and see," Mr Bonnici said.

Paul Zammit Cutajar, of Bridge Productions, agreed and said: "We should keep both feet firmly on the ground and go into this competition with hope, but not great expectations."

"To do so would put undue pressure on Lynn which is something she can do without. We can hope for a great performance on her part and leave the rest up to fate and the usual geographic voting patterns," Mr Zammit Cutajar added.

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