Eurovision isn’t just a show in Malta… it’s a national emotional rollercoaster.For one night, the whole country transforms. Group chats explode, opinions get louder and suddenly everyone becomes a music expert with very strong feelings about staging, vocals and voting patterns.And somehow, every single year, we all go through the exact same stages.1. “Is Eileen Montesin doing the commentary?”Before the first note is even sung, before the outfits are judged and before the performances begin, there’s one question that really matters. Is Eileen doing the commentary?Because let’s be honest, Eurovision just doesn’t hit the same without it. The commentary is half the experience and everyone knows it.2. Every group chat turns into a betting agencyAs soon as the show kicks off, every group chat in Malta becomes a full-blown analysis hub. Suddenly, everyone is a music critic, a voting strategist and somehow also a psychic.Predictions start flying around confidently, “top 3 minimum”, “last place for sure”, “mark my words”. No one actually knows what’s going to happen, but that has never stopped anyone before.3. “Ejja number 10 mhux ħażin hux”When the running order is revealed, the collective overthinking begins. Everyone tries to stay positive, convincing themselves that the slot isn’t bad at all.“It’s actually a good spot.”“Could be worse.”But deep down, there’s a slight sense of panic that no one wants to admit.4. “Ma, ċempiltlu liz-ziju Ronnie l-Ingilterra biex jivvota?”As voting approaches, Malta goes fully international. Suddenly, every relative living abroad becomes extremely important.Calls are made, messages are sent, and long-lost contacts are revived. All with one goal in mind: securing that extra vote. For one night, everyone becomes part of a global campaign effort.5. “Kemm hu bravu… Żgur ħa jirbaħ!”After the performance, something shifts. For a brief moment, there’s genuine belief.We’re convinced. This is the year. The performance was strong, the staging looked great, and suddenly winning feels completely within reach. Hope takes over, and for a while, everyone is fully invested in the dream.6. “It’s just neighbouring countries voting for each other…”Then the results start coming in.As expected, frustration quickly follows. The same conversations resurface every year, neighbouring countries voting for each other, politics over music and the feeling that Malta is somehow always at a disadvantage.The debates begin almost instantly, and everyone has a theory.7. “Whatever happens… we’re proud”But as voting continues, the mood softens. There’s a quiet moment where perspective kicks in.“Għamilna show tajba.”“Kemm aħna kburin.”“Issa naraw…”Because in the end, it’s not just about winning. It’s about showing up, putting on a performance and representing the country on that stage.No matter what happens on the scoreboard, Eurovision night in Malta is always the same mix of chaos, excitement and shared emotion.It’s the group chats, the calls abroad, the overreactions and the hope that make it what it is. And somehow, every year, we go through it all over again — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.Tag your group chat or that one friend already calling relatives abroad to vote•