Called it. :( If they were taking so long to decide that wasn't good and given their situation with that I'd have been surprised if they had stayed in.

 

Still think the other three we're waiting on will eventually decide yes. About 50/50 on Croatia admittedly but I'm remaining optimistic for now.

Can't believe it... :( Going to miss Ukraine.

Very sad to lose Ukraine seeing as they have probably been the most consistently great country of all in terms of entries over the last few years but of course it's understandable given their situation.

I hope it's not another Israel/Lebanon situation :(

Ukraine have withdrawn for 2015 :(

 

:yahoo:

 

and please don't come back in the future. Same about Turkey.

Ukraine :(

A shame... Usually solid entries from Ukraine.

Croatia out again for 2015 :(

I wanted Croatia to come back =[ Ukraine is a shame too but I thought they had a poor song this year.

Out of every country I really want Luxembourg back but it's not going to happen ever again lol

Bulgaria won't be taking part after all, but Poland have confirmed their participation.

Not Bulgaria also out :(

 

Very happy about Poland tho. Give me another Slavic Girls please

San Marino have confirmed! :cheer:

Ah damn - Bulgaria out too? I was hoping for lots of participants for the 60th. EBU should drop fees so more can take part? Maybe extend the big 5 to a big 6 or 7? Might be a bit much but if it secures a good contest and more participants it can't be a bad thing ? Countries like the Netherlands or Sweden that can easily afford might be open to it..

A big 7 would be a terrible idea!

 

And I'd imagine the fees are where they are for a reason - would you really want the 60th anniversary contest to be a mess because they couldn't afford to put on a spectacular? I doubt Austria would be all too happy to have to stump up more for hosting just to allow a few more on board. And in practice, no television network anywhere is going to want to stump up more than they do already just for the sake of it - they have budgets to be meeting too!

 

39's a decent amount anyway. I'm not too fussed so long as the entries are up to the mark - 2011 had 43 countries but was utterly dreadful outside about ten or so of those!