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Originally, Germany was relegated from the contest because of its low average score over the previous four years, however after Italy withdrew from the contest, Germany was allowed to compete.
Countdown Grand Prix 1998[]
The national final to select their entry, Countdown Grand Prix 1998, was held on 26 February 1998 at the Stadthalle Bremen, and was hosted by Axel Bulthaupt and Nena. The final decision was decided on televoting only; the top 3 were announced, but the other placings are known unofficially. The winning entry was "Guildo hat euch lieb!," performed by Guildo Horn and written and composed by Stefan Raab (under the pseudonym "Alf Igel").
Horn was the ninth performer on the night of the Contest, following Israel and preceding Malta. At the Contest, he performed together with his band Die Orthopädischen Strümpfe. At the close of the voting the song had received 86 points,[1] placing 7th in a field of 25 competing countries.[2]
^Spain originally gave its 12 points to Israel and 10 to Norway. After the broadcast it was announced that Spanish broadcaster wrongly tallied the votes and Germany should have got the top mark - 12 points - instead of being snubbed, as it happened. The mistake was corrected and so Germany was placed 7th over Norway. Israel and Norway both received 2 points less than originally and Croatia, Malta, Portugal, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Estonia and Turkey all received one point less than indicated during the broadcast.
Germany
