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The Euro Years
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1990
Winners: Italy
UK Placing: 6th
UK entrant Emma wants to 'Give A Little Love Back To The World'; unfortunately the world doesn't want it and Italy win with Toto Cotugno in Zagreb.
1991
Winners: Sweden
UK Placing: 10th
A fiercely contested final sees Sweden tie with France, but claim victory on account of winning more second places. 17 Year old Samantha Janus delivers 'A Message to Your Heart' for the UK.
The judges remain unmoved, and she finishes tenth. Samantha now refers to Eurovision as one of the worst experiences of her career.
1992
Winners: Ireland
UK Placing: 2nd
Ireland's Linda Martin - with a Johnny Logan (him again) song - beats UK crooner Michael Ball in Malmo. Michael is later quoted as saying he'd rather have drawing pins stuck in his eyes than take part in Eurovision ever again.
1993
Winners: Ireland
UK Placing: 2nd
Eurovision welcomes Eastern Europe, but it's business as usual on the voting front, and in a repeat of '92, Ireland's Niamh Kavanagh pips the UK entrant, Sonia into second place. The scouse diva has the last laugh by reaching a higher position in the UK singles chart.
1994
Winners: Ireland
UK Placing: 10th
Glory for Ireland as their domination of all things Eurovision continues as they complete a hat-trick of victories with Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan's 'Rock n Roll Kids'. The UK's Frances Ruffelle warbles her way to a lowly 10th as the half time entertainment is provided by an unknown act called 'Riverdance'.
1995
Winners: Norway
UK Placing: 10th
Germany appear to capture the spirit of Eurovision with 'Verliebt In Dich' (Fallen in Love with You) by cheese-tastic, husband and wife duo Stone & Stone. It finishes last. Norway wins a second time, and UK's Love City Groove are joint tenth.
1996
Winners: Ireland
UK Placing: 8th
The charming Australian expat, Gina G, belts out the infamous 'Ooh Aah Just A Little Bit' which is only enough to take her to eighth place, despite topping the British charts. Ireland decides one year without the Eurovision crown is enough, and wins comfortably. Peter Gronvall, son of Abba's Benny Andersson appears for Sweden. Morten Harket of A-Ha co-presents in Oslo.
1997
Winners: UK
UK Placing: 1st
Norway set a nil points record, while Katrina & The Waves set a total points record, thrashing all who stand in their way with the joyous 'Love Shine a Light.' Boyzone's Ronan Keating is co-presenter in Dublin.
1998
Winners: Israel
UK Placing: 2nd
The larger than life, Dana International takes Eurovision for Israel. Her eccentrically glamorous appearance (and status as a former man) do wonders for the nation's reputation for conservatism. BBC executives were heard to utter a sigh of relief when our own Imaani came a creditable second. Staging the Eurovision Song Contest is an expensive business, you know...
1999
Winners: Sweden
UK Placing: 13th
The UK entry in sun-drenched Israel is girl group, Precious who sing 'Say It Again' and plummet to 13th. Promises of future sunny trips abroad for Eurovision quickly fade as Sweden win with 'Take Me To Your Heaven' sung by Charlotte Nilsson.
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