Best Semi-Final Non Qualifiers– Over the last two weeks, hundreds of our readers have voted for their Top 5 Best Eurovision entries that did not make it to the final. Each voter had ten points to distribute: 5 to his favorite, 4 to the second place etc. Out of these points we calculated the ultimate Top 15 of your favorite Semi-Final non qualifiers! You can see the other places and our other rankings here! Your place 10 goes to Belgium!
One of the biggest stars in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens was Kate Ryan. She had had some European-wide hits with dance covers of popular Mylène Farmer and France Gall hits, such as “Désenchantée”, “Libertine”, and “Ella, elle l’a”. Ryan performed the song “Je t’adore” (“I adore you”) which despite the French title is almost completely in English. After the contest the song had moderate success in numerous European countries. The bad result of the entry in Eurovision was thus a surprise to many. The performance with neon-tubed microphone stands that Ryan used for singing and dancing was notable as well as the orange dress she wore, which was the most expensive of the competition. “Je t’adore” was the 999th song performed on a Eurovision stage, but only came 12th and thus failed to qualify for the final.
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Even though it doesn’t deserve to be on this list, since the inclusion of “Je t’adore” was an inevitability, I’m glad it is this low on the list.
I agree with this. Fans who love schlager have always had a soft spot for this shallow pointless irrelevantly mainstreamy tune and its very average vocalist… representing any other country, it would have sneaked in the final but coming from Belgium it failed to. Is that unfair? Yes so I guess that’s why fans have so hardcore defended this. Of course I hate the song and wouldnt have had it neither in my esc 2006 final nor in this list, but I understand why it’s in it and I’m glad it sits right at the bottom of the top 10!
LOL, basically we wrote the same thing at the same time.
LOL yes
Exactly. Such a generic, formulaic song.
Still, Belgium has a disadvantage, considering that generic, formulaic crap from other countries has no problem reaching the final.
It should has be in the final, but… as Belgium (a country with not many diaspora in Europe) has never been in the final… no fair !
What happened in 2010?
it´s true… I compltely forgot from “Me and my guitar” :$ Nevermind, Belgium used to sed really good songs to ESC. I´m only surprised for not seeing this country more times in a final…
I need to disagree unfortunately. I like the 2011 song (two damnit points
) and also “Le grande soir” but the rest is not really my cup of tea. Very dated stuff and a tad tacky at times (2007, 2009!). But everyone has different tastes and that is good. 
Of course …
Lol, love the excuses for its non-qualification. It is a weak and extremely uninspired composition and therefore did not deserve to go through even in weak 2006. If a country was robbed, it would be Albania. :/
After her performance, I though that she wili be in top 5 for sure… I still remember that I expected BELGIUM from last envelope (instead of Armenia)
Hope she will return to ESC,maybe next year 
This is exactly the kind of performance that I consider to be all about glitter and gloss. The vocals were messy and the melody is weak. I am glad it did not make it to the final. However, had it been representing another country, it might have made it and that makes me vaguely sad.
P.S. I: I love Albania 06 and Andorra 06 (despite the stage presentation) from that semi.
P.S. II: France and Japan have just played a great game. Women’s football is very interesting.
Kate Ryan looked beautiful onstage. Apart from that, there is nothing to add to what Morgan, w s and Shevek have said.
with -5 (and I even have a -1 for saying “yes” to Stommie), I guess the people who voted for this are unhappy I disagree: so there IS more to add, but if someone with some balls would like to create an account and comment, I’d appreciate it
Once again, I had forgotten about the icons. Belgium 06 has a large following apparently. Glitter and gloss and nothing more is what this act has to offer. It’s perfect for Björkman’s MF actually. LOL
Don’t worry about the creatures living in the shade.
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In today’s Olympics, I loved the moment when Jennifer Suhr handed Yarisley Silva the Cuban flag. If only the politicians were equally relaxed, mature and non-ideological. I sometimes wonder … why is it so hard to live and let live?
good question… Estonia got a medal now and Latvia is in beach volley semi!
I love this song and am a big Kate Ryan fan. It was a different style of song for her. I personally was very shocked it didn’t qualify. Especially when utter rubbish like Lithuania went though!
Back in 2006, with one semi final and 100% televoting it was difficult for a country like Belgium to qualify even with a song that strong. Although, perhaps the voting public just didn’t like this song and voted for other artists because they liked them more.
Sure they did not vote it because they loved the song.
Everything about this song is said. It’s weak, generic and uninteresting. Plus it was a mess on stage; too many ideas that didn’t work together.
Imho, the most interesting part in Kate Ryan’s performance back in 2006, was the, accidental, short-cut of the cameraman’s foot
off topic: Rest in peace, great Chavela Vargas
Oh, that is sad news. RIP
RIP
We’ve lost a great artist and wonderful performer.
Sad news. Thank you for the music.
I am surprised to see this one THAT low on this list. I remember it being a big favorite among eurofans back in 2006.
Nothing to add. I agree with most of the comments here.Not that Belgium 2006 was that bad , I just find it predictable and full of cliches. You know , key change , wind machine , microphone stands , female diva worshiped by her male dancers…And I don’t even find her that sexy the way Ani Lorak or Eleftheria was.Both her and her song leave me totally cold overall ( Same possibly happened to televoting ).
A 4 out of 12 .
Rofl at 02:29 !!!
& unforgettable: the Shoes, we see in the Final of the Song…maybe the most famous Shoes in the World at that Evening;)
I think, there are Songs, that deserved the Final more, than Some others, & Belgium was 1 of those. But I liked almost every Song in 2006, so, it’s understandable:)
…except of Lithuania:(
Not bad at all – but not a dead-certain qualifier. Wouldn’t like to see it winning, though.
The most deserved entry to be on this list so far…Kate was truly stunning that night. A great song, a very proffesional stage performance and of course a pop performer as talented as Kate consisted one of the most complete acts in 2006 thus making it my runner up that year. Truly one of the proud moments for Belgium in esc. But in the dark esc era it failed of course..I do hope Kate Ryan will return to esc and give us another great performance (and hopefully get a more deserving place).
That’s me btw