Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005

Nationaal Songfestival 2005 was the national final developed by NOS/TROS that selected the Dutch entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.[8] Twenty-four entries competed in the competition consisting of five shows that commenced with the first of four semi-finals on 20 January 2005 and concluded with a final on 13 February 2005.[9] All shows in the competition took place at the Pepsi Stage in Amsterdam, hosted by Nance Coolen and Hans Schiffers and were broadcast on Nederland 2 as well as streamed online via the broadcaster's Eurovision Song Contest website songfestival.nl.[10][11]

The format of the national final consisted of five shows: four semi-finals and a final. The semi-finals each featured six competing entries from which three advanced from each show to complete the twelve-song lineup in the final. The results for the semi-final shows were determined by a three-member expert jury and votes from the public. The songs first faced a public televote where the top two entries qualified, while the jury selected an additional qualifier from the remaining entries.[12] In the final, the winner was selected by the combination of votes from public televoting and three juries. Viewers were able to vote via telephone and SMS.[13]

The expert jury panel that voted in all shows consisted of:[14]

• Cornald Maas – journalist
• Esther Hart – vocal teacher and 2003 Dutch Eurovision entrant
• Paul de Leeuw – singer and television personality

A submission period was opened by the Dutch broadcaster on 2 August 2004 where artists and composers were able to submit their entries until 1 October 2004.[15] 250 submissions were received by the broadcaster at the closing of the deadline, and the twenty-four selected competing entries were announced during a press conference on 17 December 2004.[16] Among the artists were Laura Vlasblom (as part of Airforce) who previously represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 as part of Frizzle Sizzle, and Justine Pelmelay who previously represented the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 1989.[17] Trinity and No Angels changed their names to Trinity United and We're No Angels before the competition.[18]

The four semi-finals took place on 20 January, 27 January, 3 February and 10 February 2005. In each semi-final six acts competed and four entries qualified to the final. A public televote first selected the top two entries to advance, while an additional qualifier was selected by a three-member expert jury from the remaining four entries.[19]

The final took place on 13 February 2005 where the twelve entries that qualified from the preceding four semi-finals competed. The winner, "My Impossible Dream" performed by Glennis Grace, was selected by the 50/50 combination of a public televote and the votes of three juries: a three-member expert jury, a ten-member radio jury consisting of listeners of Radio 2 and a ten-member international jury consisting of foreign conservatory students. The viewers and the juries each had a total of 290 points to award. Each member of the expert jury and the remaining two jury groups distributed their points as follows: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12 points. The viewer vote was based on the percentage of votes each song achieved through the following voting methods: telephone and SMS voting. For example, if a song gained 10% of the vote, then that entry would be awarded 10% of 290 points rounded to the nearest integer: 29 points.[20]

In addition to the performances of the competing entries, the show featured guest performances by Jim Bakkum, Irish 1980 and 1987 Eurovision winner Johnny Logan and past Dutch Eurovision entrants Mandy Huydts (1986), Maxine and Franklin Brown (1996), Marlayne (1999) and Esther Hart (2003).[21][22]

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