San Marino are the smallest country by quite some distance taking part in this year’s Eurovision. As yet, they haven’t been able to qualify for the final in four attempts – two of which were by Valentina Monetta, who is back for another try this year with a song that has again been written by Ralph Siegel. Will it be third time lucky for her?

I have to hand it to Valentina for coming back again this year after being the first artist in Eurovision history to have failed to qualify for the final twice. I’m sure she doesn’t want to also be the first to fail three times. Unfortunately, I think that may be the only accolade she will win this year. Last year’s entry, Crisalide (Vola), was a huge fan favourite but this year’s entry has been met with indifference from the fans and the bookies don’t fancy it much either, with it being pretty much at the bottom of the odds.

It’s a real shame, because Maybe isn’t a bad song at all. But it isn’t a fantastic one either. It’s just rather middle of the road. Like the Austrian entry, this also has hints of James Bond to it, but Conchita does it that little bit better. It feels like Maybe never really gets going, and I also feel the decision to sing in English was the wrong one, and it would have been better in Italian.

My verdict: Sadly, I think San Marino might end up in last place in their semi-final. Not because they have the worst song by any means, it’s just that I really can’t see who will vote for it; they don’t even have Italy to help them out with some points. If this was 1968, then I think it would have a good chance of doing well – but it’s 2014, and this type of song just won’t cut it these days. I’d love to be proved wrong and see them make the final, but I think San Marino are already up against it being such a small country with no diaspora, and with such a distinctly average song, I think Valentina will be watching from the audience in the arena for the third year in a row. Well, as they say, it’s the taking part that counts, isn’t it?

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