Tomi Rahula, Producer of Eesti Laul has revealed that quarterfinals are being introduced for the Estonian selection for Eurovision 2022.
Up to forty songs will be competing to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Tomi Rahula revealing changes to the format of Eesti Laul. Speaking this evening on ETV, he explained that there will be four additional shows with ten songs in each show.
From each of the quarterfinals, five songs will be selected to qualify for the semifinals. In the semi-finals, ten songs will compete, with five songs qualifying for the Grand Final from each show.
The change in the format is to give the public the chance to hear more songs that would have otherwise been left out of the selection. Previously Eesti Laul had been formed of two semi-finals with up to twenty-four songs competing.
The rules for Eesti Laul 2022 will be revealed tomorrow as the song submissions process commences. Uku Suviste represented Estonia at Eurovision 2021 with โThe Lucky Oneโ. He finished 13th in his Semi-Final scoring a total of 58 points.
Image Source: Andres Putting | Source: ERR
Estonia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 alongside six other countries. At the contest in Dublin, they were represented by Silvi Vrait, who finished 2nd last scoring just 2 points. In 2001 Estonia won the Eurovision Song Contest for the only time to date. They were represented by Tanel Padar, Dave Benton & 2XL, who performed the song โEverybodyโ and took a surprise victory in Copenhagen. After the success of the late-90s and early 00s, Estonia failed to qualify for the final from 2004-2008. In 2009 Estonia launched a new selection show, Eesti Laul, and has since qualified for the final six out of ten attempts.