Eurovision Song Contest Latvia 2003

After Marie N won the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with I Wanna, the 2003 contest was held in Riga, Latvia. It was the first time Latvia hosted the contest. The final was held on 24 May in the Skonto Hall, the host broadcaster was LTV and the presenters were Marie N and Renārs Kaupers, who had represented Latvia in 2000 with Brainstorm. Preparations fell behind schedule and the EBU put pressure on LTV, which changed its executive producer with support from the Swedish and Estonian broadcasters. 26 countries took part, more than ever before. Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Poland returned after being relegated, Portugal returned after a year away and Ukraine took part for the first time.

Sertab Erener from Türkiye won with Everyway That I Can and 167 points, only two points ahead of Belgium’s Sanomi. Russia’s Ne Ver, Ne Boisia by t.A.T.u. was third with 164 points, so the top three were separated by three points. It was Türkiye’s first victory after 28 years of participation. The United Kingdom finished last for the first time.

Sources: Wikipedia: Eurovision Song Contest 2003 (host broadcaster, presenters, participants, preparations).