Eurovision fans love a trier. Think of three-time entrant Chiara from Malta, or Lys Assia from Switzerland, still sending entries to the national pre-selection despite being 90 years old.
These artists quickly become fan favourites through their sheer determination to take part in the Contest, and falling neatly into this bracket is San Marino's 2014 representative Valentina Monetta.
After competing in both 2012 and 2013, Valentina, 39, joins a short list of acts who have entered the contest three times. She is yet to qualify, but her songs have achieved San Marino's best results, most notably Crisalide (Voila) which missed out on the 2013 grand final by one place.
She is back again for a third and potentially final year with her pop song Maybe (Forse), which is again composed by Ralph Siegel, also the writer of her previous entries.
Now an old hand at Eurovision, does she still get the same buzz from competing for her country?
"It's fantastic and amazing. I am honoured to have had this opportunity again. It would mean so much to me and San Marino to make the final this year," she said.
Music video for 'Maybe'
Competing for a micro-state with little influence in the wider world, and a minimal disaspora to rely on for votes, it's good to hear she is confident in her song's ability to do well in Copenhagen.
"I am confident in me, and the support my fans and team continue to give me.
Maybe has a positive message of the respect we should have for the infinite possibilities that life gives us - only if we want to, because we live only once, and unfortunately not for long sometimes.
Life is one and we should not limit ourselves to believe we do not deserve more than what we are used to getting," she explained.
In a competition such as Eurovision it seems natural to feel competitive about the other entries, but Valentina insists this is not the case for her.
"I'm not thinking of my fellow participants as adversaries rather than as companions of a wonderful journey.
I like a lot of the songs this year, it's hard to pick my absolute favourite this year.
I love the beat and energy of the songs from Greece, Hungary and Denmark. I like Ruth Lorenzo's voice on the Spanish entry, and then there's the sound of Azerbaijan.
There are many others - I also enjoy Moldova, Israel and Austria and more," she said.
There have been reports saying 2014 will be Valentina's last time at Eurovision, but would qualifying for the final for the first time change her mind?
She cryptically answered with one word.
"Maybe."
You can buy Maybe on iTunes here
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| Photo: Augusto Betiula & Valentina Monetta |
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