It has been confirmed in a statement today by the Turkish broadcaster TRT that the alternative rock group maNga will represent Turkey in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway, later this year.

Turkish news sources have been speculating in recent weeks regarding the Turkish representative, and until now there has been no official confirmation from TRT. A written statement was today published on the broadcaster's website, which stated, "maNga will represent our country in the 55th Eurovision Song Contest final in Oslo, Norway".

The group were recently chosen as the 'Best European Act' at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards in November, held in Berlin, Germany. Lead vocalist Ferman, on behalf of the band, said, "We are taking this award on behalf of our beautiful and lonely country".

The rumours that for several weeks have been claiming that the band MaNga would represent Turkey at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest have finally been confirmed by the country's broadcaster TRT. An agreement between TRT and the group has been finally reached.
After this agreement, MaNga become the Turkish representatives in Oslo 2010 and thus the 7th male act to perform in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

The band won the MTV Europe Award to the best European act last year, and since then they have been expressing their wish to represent Turkey in Eurovision.

MaNga have been crowned after Sebnem Ferah and Emre Aydin, the other two candidates in the race to represent the country in Oslo, dismissed this possibility owing to their respective schedules and plans.
 

The dust has settled in Turkey after the storm of rumours about who would represent the country at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. It has been announced that MaNga will represent Turkey, the band and the national broadcaster (TRT) were in negotiations for some time.

TRT had opened a poll to receive fans' opinions about possible candidates for the contest. Şebnem Ferah, MaNga, Murat Boz and Emre Aydın were the top names at the end of the poll period as we already mentioned. Today, TRT held a press conference to announce the Turkish representative: "MaNga will represent Turkey in the 55th Eurovision Song Contest".

MaNga, the Turkish nu metal and hardcore rock group was formed in 2001 by the lead singer Ferman Akgün. The other members are Orçun Şekerusta (bass guitar), Özgür Can Öney (Drums), Efe Yılmaz (Turntable) and Cem Bahtiyar (Guitar). The group won a competition Sing Your Song before they became famous.

It is also believed that MaNga will have the opportunity to go on promo tours as they have an important contract with SONY Music, only Sertab Erener had the same contract during her Eurovision journey, which resulted in Turkey’s first Eurovision Song Contest win.