For the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, a semi-final round was introduced in order to accommodate the influx of nations that wanted to compete in the contest. Because Slovenia placed 23rd at the 2003 contest, country was forced to compete in the first Eurovision semi-final, held on 12 May 2004. They performed 16th, following Macedonia and preceding Estonia. It finished on second last 21st place with only 5 points, failing to qualify to the Grand Final. Therefore, Slovenia had to compete in the semi-final again in ESC 2005.