Israel's 'Golden Boy' eyes Eurovision title
Nadav Guedj talks to Ynet after his winning performance at the Eurovision semifinals, taking Israel to the finals for the first time in years.
VIENNA - Nadav Guedj is determined to give his best on Saturday night, when he represents Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest finals – the first Israeli performer to do so in five years.
He told Ynet after his semifinal victory that despite setbacks of the last few years, there was a positive atmosphere among the Israeli delegation.
"I really hoped I would get through; I walked off the stage feeling very good. All I wanted was to please the people of Israel," he said.
Guedj was the last on the list of acts to reach Saturday's final. The names on the list were announced in random order, and tensions were running high in the green room inside the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, where the contest is being held. Now, he's already looking forward to the live final.
"There's a good feeling for Saturday, we have planned rehearsals for throughout the weekend, and I arrive with total concentration, to give the best performance I can give."
Accompanying Guedj is the Israeli delegation, which includes songwriter Doron Madli, production personnel, representatives of the Israel Broadcasting Authority and family members, who have travelled from Israel especially to be with the 16-year-old.
"My friends at home have been texting and offering support," he says. "My parents and my older brother here are with me, and that gives me great strength."
Other members of the Israeli delegation told Ynet on Thursday night that the outcome of the vote signaled the end of an era of ostracizing Israel from the Eurovision Song Contest finals.
"This is proof that not everyone is an anti-Semite, not everyone hates Israel, and there are a lot of people who voted for us," said one. "It's really exciting and good to know that this is the case. When you work hard, there are results."
The Israeli entry has indeed had positive feedback internationally. One British newspaper even penned a column entitled "Why Eurovision needs Israel’s Nadav Guedj in the final this year".
"Despite regular top five finishes and three wins culminating in Dana International’s victory in Birminham back in 1998, Israel has struggled to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years," wrote Metro columnist Benny Royston.
"(T)his is the only real party song in the competition. With so many ballads and low tempo songs, Eurovision needs Israel in the final this year. If it qualifies, it will stand out enough to pick up points and possibly lift Israel into the top 10 at the Eurovision Song Contest."
