Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003

Eurovision Song Contest 2003

Country|  Iceland
National selection
Selection process| Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2003
Selection date(s)| 15 February 2003
Selected entrant| Birgitta Haukdal
Selected song| "Open Your Heart"
Selected songwriter(s)|

* Hallgrímur Óskarsson
* Sveinbjörn I. Baldvinsson
* Birgitta Haukdal

Finals performance
Final result| 8th, 81 points
Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest
| ◄2001 • | 2003 | • 2004►

|
|

Iceland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "Open Your Heart" written by Sveinbjörn I. Baldvinsson, Birgitta Haukdal and Hallgrímur Óskarsson. The song was performed by Birgitta Haukdal. The Icelandic broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) returned to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their withdrawal in 2002 as one of the bottom six countries in the 2001 contest. The Icelandic entry for the 2003 contest in Riga, Latvia was selected through the national final Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2003, organised by RÚV. Fifteen songs competed in the selection which was held on 15 February 2003. "Segðu mér allt" performed by Birgitta Haukdal emerged as the winner exclusively through public televoting. The song was later translated from Icelandic to English for the Eurovision Song Contest and was titled "Open Your Heart".

Iceland competed in the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 24 May 2003. Performing as the opening entry for the show in position 1, Iceland placed eighth out of the 26 participating countries, scoring 81 points.

## Background[edit]

Main article: Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2003 Contest, Iceland had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fifteen times since its first entry in 1986.[1] Iceland's best placing in the contest to this point was second, which it achieved in 1999 with the song "All Out of Luck" performed by Selma. In 2001, Iceland placed twenty-second (joint last) with the song "Angel" performed by Two Tricky.

The Icelandic national broadcaster, Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV), broadcasts the event within Iceland and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. RÚV confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest on 17 October 2002.[2] Since 2000, Iceland has used a national final to select their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, a method that continued for their 2003 participation.

## Before Eurovision[edit]

### Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2003[edit]

Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2003 was the national final format developed by RÚV in order to select Iceland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. The competition was hosted by Logi Bergmann Eiðsson and Gísli Marteinn Baldursson and took place at the Háskólabíó venue in Reykjavík. The show was broadcast on RÚV and via radio on Rás 2.[3]

#### Competing entries[edit]

On 17 October 2002, RÚV opened the submission period for interested songwriters to submit their entries until the deadline on 18 November 2002. Songwriters were required to be Icelandic, possess Icelandic citizenship or have permanent residency in Iceland, and were required to submit entries in Icelandic with the winning composers being able to later decide the language that will be performed at the Eurovision Song Contest in Riga.[2][4] At the close of the submission deadline, 204 entries were received.[5] A selection committee was formed in order to select the top fifteen entries. The fifteen competing artists and songs were revealed by the broadcaster on 17 January 2003. RÚV presented the songs between 3 and 7 February 2003 during special programmes broadcast on RÚV.[6][7]

Artist  | Song  | Songwriter(s)

|
|

Birgitta Haukdal | "Segðu mér allt"  | Sveinbjörn I. Baldvinsson, Birgitta Haukdal, Hallgrímur Óskarsson
Botnleðja | "Euróvísa"  | Botnleðja
Eivør Pálsdóttir | "Í nótt"  | Friðrik Erlingsson, Ingvi Þór Kormáksson
Hjördis Elín Lárusdóttir and Gúðrun Árný Karlsdóttir  | "Með þer"  | Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson
Höskuldur Örn Lárusson  | "Allt"  | Höskuldur Örn Lárusson
Hreimur Örn Heimisson | "Mig drejmdi lítinn draum"  | Friðrik Karlsson
"Þú"  | Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, Grétar Örvarsson
Ingunn Gylfadóttir  | "Sögur"  | Sjón, Ingunn Gylfadóttir, Tömas Hermansson
Jóhanna Vigdis Arnardóttir  | "Þú og ég (er ég anda)"  | Stéfan Hilmarsson, Ingólfur Gúdjónsson
Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir  | "Tangó"  | Þorkell S. Símonarson, Ragnheiður Eiriksdóttir
Ragnheiður Gröndal | "Ferrari"  | Páll Torfi Önundarson
Regina Ósk Óskarsdóttir and Hjalti Jónsson  | "Engu þurfum að tapa"  | Einar Örn Jónsson
Rúnar Júlíusson | "Ást á skítugum skóm"  | Karl O. Olgeirsson
Þóra Gísladóttir  | "Hva sem ég ender"  | Bragi Valdimar Sikúlason, Karl O. Olgeirsson
Þórey Heiðdal Vilhjálmsdóttir  | "Sá þig"  | Albert G. Jónsson, Kristinn Sturluson

#### Final[edit]

The final took place on 15 February 2003 where fifteen entries competed. The winner, "Segðu mér allt" performed by Birgitta Haukdal, was determined solely by televoting.[8]

Final – 15 February 2003  Draw  | Artist  | Song  | Televote  | Place

|
|
|
|

1  | Þóra Gísladóttir  | "Hva sem ég ender"  | —  | —
2  | Ragnheiður Gröndal | "Ferrari"  | —  | —
3  | Hreimur Örn Heimisson | "Þú"  | —  | 7
4  | Ingunn Gylfadóttir  | "Sögur"  | —  | 15
5  | Eivør Pálsdóttir | "Í nótt"  | —  | 6
6  | Hjördis Elín Lárusdóttir and Gúðrun Árný Karlsdóttir  | "Með þer"  | —  | —
7  | Regina Ósk Óskarsdóttir and Hjalti Jónsson  | "Engu þurfum að tapa"  | —  | —
8  | Botnleðja | "Euróvísa"  | 10,594  | 2
9  | Birgitta Haukdal | "Segðu mér allt"  | 21,964  | 1
10  | Rúnar Júlíusson | "Ást á skítugum skóm"  | —  | —
11  | Þórey Heiðdal Vilhjálmsdóttir  | "Sá þig"  | 5,041  | 3
12  | Hreimur Örn Heimisson | "Mig drejmdi lítinn draum"  | —  | 11
13  | Ragnheiður Eiríksdóttir  | "Tangó"  | —  | —
14  | Höskuldur Örn Lárusson  | "Allt"  | —  | —
15  | Jóhanna Vigdis Arnardóttir  | "Þú og ég (er ég anda)"  | —  | —

## At Eurovision[edit]

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the bottom ten countries in the 2002 contest competed in the final on 24 May 2003.[9] On 29 November 2002, a special allocation draw was held which determined the running order and Iceland was set to open the show and perform in position 1, before the entry from Austria.[10] Iceland finished in eighth place with 81 points.[11]

The show was broadcast in Iceland on RÚV with commentary by Gísli Marteinn Baldursson. The Icelandic spokesperson, who announced the Icelandic votes during the show, was Eva María Jónsdóttir.

### Voting[edit]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Iceland and awarded by Iceland in the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Norway in the contest.

Points awarded to Iceland[12] | Score  | Country

|

12 points  |

* Malta
* Norway

10 points  |
8 points  |  Turkey
7 points  |

* Ireland
* Sweden

6 points  |

* Croatia
* Netherlands

5 points  |  Cyprus
4 points  |

* Slovenia
* Ukraine

3 points  |

* Belgium
* Latvia

2 points  |
1 point  |

* Estonia
* France
* Germany
* Poland

Points awarded by Iceland[12] | Score  | Country

|

12 points  |  Norway
10 points  |  Austria
8 points  |  Germany
7 points  |  Belgium
6 points  |  Spain
5 points  |  Sweden
4 points  |  Russia
3 points  |  Turkey
2 points  |  Ireland
1 point  |  Estonia

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Iceland Country Profile". EBU. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
2. ^ a b Bakker, Sietse (22 October 2002). "RUV sets deadline to submit songs". Esctoday. Retrieved 23 March 2021.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
3. ^ "Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2003". hugi.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 23 March 2021.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
4. ^ "Icelanders participate in Eurovision again". mbl.is (in Icelandic). 17 October 2002. Retrieved 23 March 2021.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
5. ^ "Botnleðja and Birgitta Haukdal are among the participants in Sjónvarpi's preliminary competition". mbl.is (in Icelandic). 17 January 2003. Retrieved 23 March 2021.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
6. ^ Bakker, Sietse (5 February 2003). "First sixpack of Icelandic songs available". Esctoday. Retrieved 23 March 2021.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
7. ^ "Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2003: Hver er höfundurinn?". mbl.is (in Icelandic). 15 February 2003. Retrieved 23 March 2021.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
8. ^ ESC National Finals database 2003
9. ^ "RULES OF THE 2003 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST" (PDF). European Broadcasting Union. European Broadcasting Union. 20 November 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 April 2003. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
10. ^ Bakker, Sietse (28 November 2002). "Draw to be made public Friday 17:00 CET". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 16 November 2013.
11. ^ "Final of Riga 2003". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
12. ^ a b "Results of the Final of Riga 2003". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 7 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.

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Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Söngvakeppnin

Participation|

* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

Artists|

* Anna Mjöll
* Ari Ólafsson
* August and Telma
* Beathoven
* Birgitta
* Bó Halldórsson
* Daði og Gagnamagnið
* Daníel Ágúst Haraldsson
* Diljá
* Eiríkur Hauksson
* Euroband
* Eythor Ingi
* Greta Salóme
* Halla Margrét
* Hatari
* Heart 2 Heart
* Hera Björk
* ICY
* Inga
* Jónsi
* Maria Olafs
* Paul Oscar
* Pollapönk
* Selma
* Sigga
* Silvía Night
* Sjonni's Friends
* Stefán and Eyfi
* Stjórnin
* Svala
* Systur
* Two Tricky
* Yohanna

Songs|

* "10 Years"
* "All Out of Luck"
* "Angel"
* "Coming Home"
* "Congratulations"
* "Ég á líf"
* "Eitt lag enn"
* "Gleðibankinn"
* "Hægt og hljótt"
* "Hatrið mun sigra"
* "Hear Them Calling"
* "Heaven"
* "If I Had Your Love"
* "Is It True?"
* "Je ne sais quoi"
* "Með hækkandi sól"
* "Minn hinsti dans"
* "Nætur"
* "Nei eða já"
* "Never Forget"
* "Nína"
* "No Prejudice"
* "Núna"
* "Open Your Heart"
* "Our Choice"
* "Paper"
* "Power"
* "Sjúbídú"
* "Tell Me!"
* ~~"Think About Things"~~
* "This Is My Life"
* "Unbroken"
* "Valentine Lost"
* "Þá veistu svarið"
* "Það sem enginn sér"
* "Þú og þeir (Sókrates)"

* Note: Entries scored out signify where Iceland did not compete

* v
* t
* e

Eurovision Song Contest 2003

Countries|

* Austria
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Estonia
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Israel
* Latvia
* Malta
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Portugal
* Romania
* Russia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom

Artists|

* Louisa Baïleche
* Claudia Beni
* Beth
* Birgitta
* Lynn Chircop
* Stelios Constantas
* Sertab Erener
* Fame
* F.L.Y.
* Rita Guerra
* Esther Hart
* Mickey Harte
* Jostein Hasselgård
* Ich Troje
* Jemini
* Karmen
* Lou
* Mando
* Mija Martina
* Lior Narkis
* Nicola
* Olexandr
* Alf Poier
* Ruffus
* t.A.T.u.
* Urban Trad

Songs|

* "Cry Baby"
* "Deixa-me sonhar"
* "Dime"
* "Don't Break My Heart"
* "Eighties Coming Back"
* "Everyway That I Can"
* "Feeling Alive"
* "Give Me Your Love"
* "Hasta la vista"
* "Hello from Mars"
* "I'm Not Afraid to Move On"
* "Keine Grenzen – Żadnych granic"
* "Let's Get Happy"
* "Monts et merveilles"
* "Nanana"
* "Ne brini"
* "Ne ver', ne boysia"
* "Never Let You Go"
* "One More Night"
* "Open Your Heart"
* "Sanomi"
* "To Dream Again"
* "Više nisam tvoja"
* "We've Got the World"
* "Weil der Mensch zählt"
* "Words for Love"

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