Possible Clues:

• Too controlled to be a nonentity
• Unplaced competitor
• Too controlled, as a nonentity
• Orchestra's appearance among islands is a loser
• One undistinguished set of players entering a country, not Italy
• A contestant who loses
• Into the bargain, artist has nothing primarily that won't make the frame
• No winner's too stretched
• A loser staggering, out of energy, an unplaced competitor
• Minor-party candidate