We’re all missing a Dutch interpretation of a 21st Century contest, but at least we’ll get one in 13 months time. It’ll be here before we know it. But we can still go Dutch, with the country’s rich past going right back to the first contest – indeed the first song.
Not so long ago, the Netherlands had eight years of watching the Grand Final as spectators. But they persisted, an in 2013 we saw the Dutch in a Grand Final again. The person to break this unwanted run was today’s birthday girl Anouk Teeuwe. She was chosen by a completely internal selection, which can often pay dividends. It worked, as Anouk easily got through her semi-final and managed a ninth place finish in the Grand Final. Maybe she knew she wouldn’t win, but the trail she blazed (with one little blip) culminated with the big win in Tel Aviv. So the Dutch should thank Anouk.
Anouk is 45 today.
Gefeliciteerd, Anouk!