15. 
Spain – Daniel Diges – Algo pequenito
This 15th place is the best result achieved by a Spanish entrant since 2004, when Ramón reached the Top 10 with “Para llenarme de ti”. To the second to last place last year in Moscow this is a huge improvement for the Southern European country. In 2005,2006 and 2007 Spain achieved two 21st and a 20th place and in 2008 they came 16th with the joke entry by Rodolfo Chikilicuatre.
14. Israel – Harel Skaat – Milim
Only a small improvement from last year’s 16th place, Israel is not happy with this result. Israel had made it for the third time in a row to the final. In 2008 Boaz Mauda even reached the Top 10. This 14th place is thus a mediocre result. The most successful Israeli entry this century remains Shiri Maimon with “Hasheket shenish’ar” who achieved a 4th place in 2005.
13. Serbia – Milan Stancovic – Ovo je Balkan
Serbia has only sent 4 entries to the Eurovision Song Contest and won once, didn’t qualify once and came 6th the other time. Milan’s 13th place has thus achieved the second worst or the third best result for his country. In 2004 and 2005 when they still formed a Union with Montenegro they achieved a Top 10 result both times. If you include these results “Ovo je Balkan” is certainly a disappointment for the Serbs.
12. France- Jessy Matador – Allez,Ola,Olé
5 time winner France has had some horrible results in these last 1o years. 23rd and last in 2005, 22nd in 2006 and 2007 and 19th in 2008. Their “luck” turned when they sent internationally popular Patricia Kaas. She achieved the first Top 10 placing for France since 2002. This year many didn’T expect a lot from Jessy Matador and his soccer anthem. The 12th place is one of the better results in recent French Eurovision history and has become a hit in several countries around Europe (#1 in France)
11. Russia – Peter Nalitch and Friends – Lost and forgotten
Russia has never failed to qualify for a final. Their worst place remains a 17th place in 1995. Since 1997 all Russian entries have achieved at least a place in the Top 15. After a second place in 2006 with Dima Bilan, 3rd place in 2007 and their win (again with Dima Bilan) in 2008 they were called by some fans the new “Ireland”. In 2009 Russia hosted the contest and failed to achieve a place within the Top 10. Anastasia Prikhodko came 11th just like Peter Nalitch this year. It seems Russia can send almost any song and will be relatively successful. Many Eurovision fans still can’t believe this year’s amateurish entry achieved the 11th place.
Russia wasn’t an amateurish entry, Peter Nalitch is a great artist.
The Russian entry is different and a song you either love or hate, but it is not amateurish! Stupid thing to say.
I am surprised about Serbia, I thought they would do much better even though I did not like it much.
One interesting fact: Russia received points from 12 countries (7 top scores 8, 10, or 12) – almost all from neighbouring countries, while France received points from 20 countries (but only 2 top score 8)…
If they consider Russia amateurish what about France? :p
France is a summer hit!
At first I was in shock about the France’s entry. Then I started to see the song like some kind of fun and a “summer song”, but I couln’t tell that song is kind of hit for ESC. I don’t dislike the song but is not kind of Top 10.
Regards
I will never get over this 14th place for Israel…such a beautiful song…
is everything went wrong cause of that voice crack..not fair anyway
I can, it was fun, they were known for the ironic thing in Ex-Urss, what else?
I reckon France ranked the second highest (12th) among the entries in national language (other than English), Greece ended at top 10. Please let me know if it’s not correct.