Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006

Opportunity 2 was a song competition developed by PBS for artists that have never competed in Malta Song for Europe. The competition consisted of thirty-six songs competing over nine semi-finals between 8 October and 9 December 2005 where the top ten entries qualified to compete in the final on 7 January 2006 for two spots in Malta Song for Europe 2006.[2] All shows were hosted by Manuel Xuereb and Moira Delia and broadcast on Television Malta (TVM) during the programme Showtime.[3]

Malta Song for Europe 2006 was the national final format developed by PBS to select the Maltese entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006. The competition took place on 4 February 2006 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in the nation's capital city of Valletta, hosted by Eileen Montesin, Josef Bonello and Lou Bondi and broadcast on TVM.

The competition consisted of eighteen songs competing in the final on 4 February 2006. The winner was determined solely by a public televote. In the event of technical difficulties in the televoting system, the votes of a backup jury panel determined the winner.

Artists and composers were able to submit their entries between 30 October and 5 December 2005.[4] Songwriters from any nationality were able to submit songs as long as the artist were Maltese or possessed Maltese citizenship. Artists were able to submit as many songs as they wished, however, they could only compete with a maximum of one in the final.[5] 213 entries were received by the broadcaster. On 9 December 2005, PBS announced a shortlist of 50 entries that had progressed through the selection process.[6] The sixteen songs selected to compete in the semi-final were announced on 17 December 2005.[7]

Among the selected competing artists was former Maltese Eurovision entrants Paul Giordimaina who represented Malta in 1991 and Fabrizio Faniello who represented Malta in 2001. On 22 December 2005, "Turn Another Page" performed by Pamela was withdrawn and replaced by "Stronger" performed by Christian Arding.[8]

The final took place on 4 February 2006. Eighteen songs competed and the winner was determined solely by a public televote.[9] Due to technical difficulties in the performance, Ali & Lis and Fabrizio Faniello were allowed to perform again following Olivia Lewis performing "Spare a Moment". In addition to the performances of the competing entries, the show also featured guest performances by former Maltese Eurovision entrants Claudette Pace, William Mangion, Georgina Abela and Mike Spiteri.[1] After the results of the public televote were announced, "I Do" performed by Fabrizio Faniello was the winner with 7,729 votes. "Echoes of Gaia" performed by Charlene & Natasha were the winners of the backup jury vote.