Road to Liverpool: San Marino

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: San Marino.

Piqued Jacks

The band was chosen to represent San Marino this year. The song “Like an animal” was written and composed by the bandmembers themselves.

Piqued Jacks are an Italian band. They were formed in Buggiano in 2006. Their first three EP’s were released in respectively 2010, 2011 and 2013. In 2014 they released the singles “Upturned perspectives” and “No bazooka”. One year later they were able to release their first album. After some changes in the line up the band released the singles “Wildly shining” and “The living past”. In 2020 they were selected by MTV for the New Generation platform.

Valentina Monetta

When you say San Marino, you say Valentina Monetta. She is a Sammarinese singer who rose to fame when she took part in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. The lyrics of her song “Facebook” had to be changed. Names of brands are not allowed in songs, so it became “The social network song”. She did not make it to the final. A year later, with “Crisalide (vola)” she was among the favourites in the betting odds. Strangely enough she just missed the final again. So it was a great surprise when, in 2014, her song “Maybe” did reach the final. In 2015 she was the jury spokeswoman and in 2017 she took part again. This time not allone but with Jimmy Wilson and their song “Spirit of the night”. No final for Valentina this time. At the 2018 rehearsals, the Sammarinese delegation did an inside joke for Eurovision fans. A robot had to hold a piece of paper with a text during the act. At the rehearsals, the text was “Justice for Valentina”.

San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest

San Marino took part for the first time in 2008. Italian/Sammarinese band Miodio didn’t make it to the final. It caused a stop, but in 2011 they returned. Three artists took part for San Marino more than once. Senhit, the aforenamed Valentina Monetta and Serhat. And exactly those three made it to the final: Valentina in 2014, Serhat in 2019 and Senhit in 2021. With a 19th place, Serhat’s entry “Say na na na” is the best scoring song for San Marino.

Bookmakers

Unfortunately it doesn’t look good for San Marino this year in the betting odds. They are no. 33, and in the specific odds about the 2nd semifinal they are even last. Hopefully they are wrong, but maybe a second participation for Piqued Jacks is necessary to reach the final.

The song

And of course, here is the song:

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Vienna 2026: Hosts revealed

📷 Thomas Ramstorfer/ORF Vienna 2026 hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski have been officially announced by Austrian broadcaster ORF as the presenters of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Both hosts are prominent Austrian personalities. They bring a blend of glamour and experience to the contest’s stage. Below, we explore their backgrounds, careers, and connections to Austria, as well as their past hosting experience, to understand what they will bring to Eurovision 2026. Victoria Swarovski: Austrian TV Star and Entrepreneur Victoria Swarovski, 30, hails from Innsbruck in Tyrol, Austria. She has built a multifaceted career as a television presenter, entrepreneur, model, and designer. Swarovski first gained wide attention after winning the German dance competition Let’s Dance in 2016. That was a victory that marked a turning point in her public career. In 2018, she returned to Let’s Dance as one of its hosts. With this, she proved her prowess in front of the camera as a presenter. Beyond television, Victoria Swarovski has expanded into business and fashion. In 2020 she launched her own beauty brand, ORIMEI. Her work also includes modeling and design, underscoring her versatility in the entertainment industry. As one of the Vienna 2026 hosts, Swarovski’s combination of on-stage confidence and business savvy represents the modern, dynamic face of Austria on the Eurovision stage. Michael Ostrowski: Acclaimed Actor and Presenter Michael Ostrowski, Fifty, is an acclaimed actor, writer, and presenter from Leoben in Styria, Austria. He achieved his professional breakthrough in 2004 with a hit comedy film and has since become a recognisable figure in Austrian film and television. Known for his comic timing and charm, Ostrowski has enjoyed a long-running screen career spanning both acting and filmmaking. Importantly for his Eurovision role, Michael Ostrowski also has extensive hosting experience. He has fronted major Austrian TV events, including the gala 100 Years of Radio, for which he earned a prestigious Romy award (Austria’s top television honor) as Best Presenter. His background in live entertainment and event hosting equips him well to engage the massive international audience of Eurovision. As one of the Vienna 2026 hosts, Ostrowski brings seasoned stage presence and a touch of humor to the proceedings. The Vienna 2026 Hosts on Eurovision’s Stage Together, the Vienna 2026 hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski exemplify Austrian talent and showmanship on the Eurovision stage. This duo has been praised by ORF as “an exciting and unique pair” with great passion for the contest. Their combined skills—Swarovski’s live TV polish and Ostrowski’s comedic flair—promise a balanced hosting team capable of guiding viewers through the semi-finals and grand final with professionalism and Austrian warmth. Eurovision fans can look forward to a memorable show in May 2026 as this hosting pair leads the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. source: eurovision.com

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Martijn

Vienna 2026: Hosts revealed

📷 Thomas Ramstorfer/ORF Vienna 2026 hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski have been officially announced by Austrian broadcaster ORF as the presenters of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Both hosts are prominent Austrian personalities. They bring a blend of glamour and experience to the contest’s stage. Below, we explore their backgrounds, careers, and connections to Austria, as well as their past hosting experience, to understand what they will bring to Eurovision 2026. Victoria Swarovski: Austrian TV Star and Entrepreneur Victoria Swarovski, 30, hails from Innsbruck in Tyrol, Austria. She has built a multifaceted career as a television presenter, entrepreneur, model, and designer. Swarovski first gained wide attention after winning the German dance competition Let’s Dance in 2016. That was a victory that marked a turning point in her public career. In 2018, she returned to Let’s Dance as one of its hosts. With this, she proved her prowess in front of the camera as a presenter. Beyond television, Victoria Swarovski has expanded into business and fashion. In 2020 she launched her own beauty brand, ORIMEI. Her work also includes modeling and design, underscoring her versatility in the entertainment industry. As one of the Vienna 2026 hosts, Swarovski’s combination of on-stage confidence and business savvy represents the modern, dynamic face of Austria on the Eurovision stage. Michael Ostrowski: Acclaimed Actor and Presenter Michael Ostrowski, Fifty, is an acclaimed actor, writer, and presenter from Leoben in Styria, Austria. He achieved his professional breakthrough in 2004 with a hit comedy film and has since become a recognisable figure in Austrian film and television. Known for his comic timing and charm, Ostrowski has enjoyed a long-running screen career spanning both acting and filmmaking. Importantly for his Eurovision role, Michael Ostrowski also has extensive hosting experience. He has fronted major Austrian TV events, including the gala 100 Years of Radio, for which he earned a prestigious Romy award (Austria’s top television honor) as Best Presenter. His background in live entertainment and event hosting equips him well to engage the massive international audience of Eurovision. As one of the Vienna 2026 hosts, Ostrowski brings seasoned stage presence and a touch of humor to the proceedings. The Vienna 2026 Hosts on Eurovision’s Stage Together, the Vienna 2026 hosts Victoria Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski exemplify Austrian talent and showmanship on the Eurovision stage. This duo has been praised by ORF as “an exciting and unique pair” with great passion for the contest. Their combined skills—Swarovski’s live TV polish and Ostrowski’s comedic flair—promise a balanced hosting team capable of guiding viewers through the semi-finals and grand final with professionalism and Austrian warmth. Eurovision fans can look forward to a memorable show in May 2026 as this hosting pair leads the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. source: eurovision.com

Read More »
Follow Us: