Eight finalists have been chosen from among 17 semi-finalists competing on Thursday evening in the Malta Song For Europe festival. The show was held at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali and hosted by Ruth Casingena, Chiara and John Demanuele.

Contrary to popular expectations, the list of this year's finalists does not include former festival winners Mary Spiteri and Chris & Moira. Others, like MaltaMedia creative director, Toni Sant, made bolder statements.

Just before the semi-finals, Dr Sant wrote in his blog that “If Malta wants to get a chance at qualifying for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest final, the Malta Song for Europe winner must be Mary Spiteri. Mary is the one performer who can get the sort of buzz going on the international Eurovision circuits needed to cut through the jungle of mixed messages and garner enough points for Malta to get through to this year's Eurovision final. Anything less and any solid chances in Serbia this May will be thrown to the wind.”

Contacted on Friday morning, Dr Sant said that now he couldn't be bothered with the selection for the final, "I may warm up to it again a little later, but for now I'm just disgusted by the whole thing...especially the way things have turned out for Mary Spiteri and Pamela."

A considerable number of blog readers posted their comments on Toni Sant's blog showing mixed support to the judge's choice of finalists and the eliminated candidates. Mary Spiteri may not have drawn enough points her way but comments from blog readers still show a strong support to the singer who once made Malta dream.

The eight finalists will be competing on Saturday to represent Malta in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest semi-final in Serbia in May.

The finalists, chosen by a panel of international judges, are

The semi-finalists in their order of appearance on Thursday are:
1. Caravaggio - Claudia Faniello, (music Ray Agius; lyrics Godwin Sant)
2. Give me a chance - Eleanor Cassar, (music Paul Giordimaina; lyrics Fleur Balzan)
3. Casanova – Morena, (music Philip Vella; lyrics Gerard James Borg)
4. Love is just the way - Rosman Pace, (music and lyrcs Rosman Pace)
5. Go - Klinsmann Coleiro, (music Dominic Galea; lyrics Claudette Pace)
6. Vodka – Morena, (music Philip Vella; lyrics Gerard James Borg) 
7. Street car of desire - Petra Zammit, (music Elton Zarb; lyrics Rita Pace)
8. Sunrise - Claudia Faniello, (music and lyrics Ray Agius)

At the finals on Saturday, the winning song will be decided by televoting (80 percent) and local judges (20 percent).

For all the latest developments on Malta's entry to the Eurovision Song contest see EurovisionMalta.com