The Dutch finalists: "It's an honour to have the chance to represent your country"

This year after not qualifying for the final since 2004, the Netherlands have taken a very different approach to their national selection. Broadcaster TROS has employed the creator of Big Brother to produce Nationaal Songfestival, which has culminated in six exceptional acts being chosen to compete for the big prize on Sunday in Hilversum.

As such, Eurovision.tv and a number of other media organisations were invited to a special event hosted by TROS, where we had the opportunity to talk to each of the six artists participating in the Dutch national selection, Nationaal Songfestival 2012 this coming Sunday.

We had the opportunity to discuss their participation, song and expectations so why not take a look at the specially compiled video below.

The six participants are as follows:

- Joan Franka - You And Me
- Raffaëla - Chocolatte
- Kim de Boer - Children Of The World
- Ivan Peroti - Take Me As I Am
- Pearl Jozefzoon - We Can Overcome
- Tim Douwsma - Undercover Lover

Three duels and a final to decide the outcome

TROS have previously announced that the format of Nationaal Songfestival 2012 will include a series of three duels after which three finalists will be found.

These finalists will then compete against each other for the ultimate prize of representing the Netherlands in Baku on the 24th of May.

Ruth Jacott, the Dutch representative from 1993 (and aunt to one of the participants, Raffäela) made the draw for the duels, which will look as follows:

Duel 1

Joan Franka vs Raffaëla Paton

Duel 2

Kim de Boer vs Ivan Peroti

Duel 3

Pearl Jozefzoon vs Tim Douwsma

The result will be determined by a 50:50 split of jury and televotes in all stages of the competition. There is will also be an advisory panel of international judges in the studio on Sunday night.

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Nationaal Songfestival 2012 kicks off at 20:20 CET on Sunday.