Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006

Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Country	Albania
National selection
Selection process	Festivali I Këngës 44
Selection date(s)	Semi-finals; 16 December 2005; 17 December 2005; Final; 18 December 2005
Selected entrant	Luiz Ejlli
Selected song	"Zjarr e ftohtë"
Finals performance
Semi-final result	Failed to qualify (14th, 58 points)
Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest

Albania chose their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 on 18 December 2005, using a combination of a public televote and a panel of judges, which gave Luiz Ejlli victory with the song "Zjarr e ftohtë" (Fire and cold). The victory prompted something of an outcry in Albania, some expressing accusations of jury bias as they thought other songs, for example that of Anjeza Shahini were better.

The song contained elements of ethnic Albanian folk music, and used traditional Balkan instruments. The song was composed by Klodian Qafoku and written by Dr. Flori. The song was performed in Albanian in Athens. It is the first Albanian Eurovision entry in Albanian, as 2004's "The Image of You" and "Tomorrow I Go", the 2005 entry, were both in English.

As Albania did not automatically qualify for the final on the basis of their performance in 2005, they had to compete in the semifinal. The entry finished 14th in the semi-final, four places away from a qualification spot with 58 points.

This song used traditional Albanian instruments, and a peculiar old man!

Luiz Ejlli was the first male performer to represent his country. Ejlli has been well known in Albania since winning the 2004 "Idols" show. He also competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 pre-qualifying contest, finishing second with the song "Hëna Dhe Vjet dashurojnë" (The Moon And The Stars Are Loving)".

Festivali I Këngës 44

For the semi-finals, see Festivali I Këngës 44.

№	Singer	Song	Place
14	Evis Mula	"Ku T'a Gjej Unë Këngën"	3rd
15	Luiz Ejlli	"Zjarr e ftohtë"	1st
18	Era Rusi	"Nuk je ëndërr"	2nd

Points Awarded by Albania^[1]

Semi final

12 points	Macedonia
10 points	Bosnia and Herzegovina
8 points	Bulgaria
7 points	Slovenia
6 points	Turkey
5 points	Sweden
4 points	Cyprus
3 points	Armenia
2 points	Netherlands
1 point	Ireland

Final

12 points	Bosnia and Herzegovina
10 points	Sweden
8 points	Greece
7 points	Turkey
6 points	Spain
5 points	Germany
4 points	Russia
3 points	Macedonia
2 points	Romania
1 point	Malta

Points Awarded to Albania (Semi-Final)
12 points	10 points	8 points	7 points	6 points
Macedonia	Switzerland		Croatia Greece
5 points	4 points	3 points	2 points	1 point
Bosnia and Herzegovina		Germany Norway Turkey	Russia Sweden United Kingdom	Armenia Slovenia

References

↑ Eurovision Song Contest 2006