How often have you heard the mantra that [insert country here] will win the contest within five years? I’m sure we’ve thought it, especially when a particular country has a good run of results. It’s only a matter of time that they win. It did happen with Russia and Azerbaijan. But it almost happened with some others too.
The two that spring to mind are Croatia and Romania. They did some good stuff and we were expecting to be visiting Zagreb or Bucharest before long. And when today’s birthday boy knee-high Mihai Trăistariu managed a fourth spot (after his country’s third place the year before) we all uttered the prediction that Romania would win within five years. Well, eleven years after this excellent performance, we’re still waiting.
Mihai is 38 today.
La mulți ani, Mihai!