Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007

EMA 2007 was the 12th edition of the Slovenian national final format Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA). The competition was used by RTV Slovenija to select Slovenia's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. The 2007 edition of EMA took place at the Gospodarsko razstavišče in Ljubljana and consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. The competition was broadcast on TVS 1 and online via the broadcaster's website rtvslo.si.[3]

Twenty-four songs competed in three televised shows consisting of two semi-finals on 1 and 2 February 2007 and a final on 3 February 2007. Twelve songs competed in each semi-final with public televoting exclusively selecting seven finalists out of the twelve songs to proceed to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of public televoting. In the first round, two out of the fourteen competing songs were selected to proceed to a superfinal. In the superfinal, the winner was determined.

Artists and composers were able to submit their entries to the broadcaster between 27 November 2006 and 3 December 2006.[4] 91 entries were received by the broadcaster during the submission period. An expert committee consisting of Miša Čermak (lyricist), Alenka Godec (singer), Vojko Sfiligoj (musician and composer) and Patrik Greblo (conductor and composer) selected twenty-three artists and songs for the competition from the received submissions, while an additional entry was provided by Eva Černe, the third season's winner of the talent show Bitka Talentov, who was directly invited by RTV Slovenija for the competition. The competing artists were announced on 12 December 2006.[5]

The first semi-final of EMA 2007 took place on 1 February 2007, hosted by Bernarda Žarn and Peter Poles. In addition to the performances of the competing entries, 2001 Slovenian Eurovision entrant Nuša Derenda, 2006 Slovenian Eurovision entrant Anžej Dežan and Eroica performed as guests. A public vote selected seven entries to proceed to the final: "Bella Mia" performed by Don Corleone, "Hitmejker" performed by Dean Vivod & Tonus Kitaris, "Kdo hoče plesati z menoj?" performed by Zablujena generacija, "Cvet z juga" performed by Alenka Gotar, "Naj svet zakriči" performed by Sebastian, "Zadeni me" performed by Martin Perovič and "Vizija" performed by Alya.

The second semi-final of EMA 2007 took place on 2 February 2007, hosted by Mojca Mavec and Gorazd Dominko. In addition to the performances of the competing entries, Saša Lendero and Pepel in kri performed as guests. A public vote selected seven entries to proceed to the final: "Čudeži smehljaja" performed by Eva Černe, "Element L" performed by Nude, "Pepelka" performed by Zlati muzikanti, "Zadel si me v živo" performed by Steffy & Donald Trumpet, "Nor sem nate" performed by Denis, "Druga violina" performed by Žana and "Drugačna (pesem)" performed by Tadeja Fatur.

The final of EMA 2007 took place on 3 February 2007, hosted by Helena Blagne and Mario Galunič. In addition to the performances of the competing entries, 1997 Eurovision winner as part of Katrina and the Waves Katrina Leskanich, 2006 Bosnian Eurovision entrant Hari Mata Hari, Jan Plestenjak, Jure Godler, Rožmarinke and Heleno Blagne performed as guests. The winner was selected over two rounds of public voting. In the first round, the top two entries were selected to proceed to the second round: "Cvet z juga" performed by Alenka Gotar and "Čudeži smehljaja" performed by Eva Černe. In the second round, "Cvet z juga" performed by Alenka Gotar was selected as the winner.

Alenka Gotar made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "Cvet z juga" as the Slovenian Eurovision entry. On 24 February, Alenka Gotar performed during the final of the Spanish Eurovision national final Misión Eurovisión 2007.[6] The following day, Gotar performed during the Montenegrin Eurovision national final MontenegroSong 2007. On 1 March, Gotar performed during the Bosnian song presentation show BH Eurosong 2007. On 7 March, Gotar performed during the semi-final of the Serbian Eurovision national final Beovizija 2007. In April, Gotar completed promotional activities in Croatia and Macedonia where she appeared on television programmes and talk shows.[7]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Slovenia and awarded by Slovenia in the semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Serbia in the semi-final and the final of the contest.