 |
|
|
Support Scooch!
Download 'Flying The Flag (For You)' at iTunes and help get Scooch back into the UK singles chart!
|
|
|
|
|
About Greece...
|
 top of page
|
|
2004 Result
Points in Semi Final: 238
Position in Semi Final: 3rd
Points in Final: 252
Position in Final: 3rd
2005 Contest: Directly qualified to Final
|
top of page
|
|
History (1956 to 2003)
Greece's previous appearances: 24 year(s) out of 48
Years participated: 1974; 1976-1981; 1983; 1985; 1987-1998; 2001-
Best result: 3rd (2001)
Greece has had a less than glorious record in Eurovision, never finishing higher than 5th between 1974 and 1998. After ending up a lowly 20th in 1998, Greece missed the 1999 contest through relegation, and declined to take part in 2000. Since 2001, Greece has taken advantage of the free language rule to perform in English, though its efforts have ranged from the sublime (2001's 'Die for you') to the ridiculous (2002's 'S'Agapo', where the performers appeared to have mistaken Eurovision for a Star Trek convention). 'Die for you' was one of the favourites prior to the contest, and though never a contender for victory in the final voting, Antique's performance provided Greece with 3rd place - up to then its best ever result. Mihálís Rakintzís's 2002 contribution was less successful, its 17th place (out of 24) probably higher than it deserved. After the contest, Mihálís blamed sound problems for the poor result, though most viewers thought the song scored badly because it was rubbish. 2003 saw high expectations for Mando, an established and popular artist in her own country. Mando went for the dominatrix vote with a face and outfit borrowed from Cher, but Europe was not convinced by 'Never let you go', and the song scored even fewer points than Mihálís the year before. As a result, Greece have to participate in the Semi Final in order to secure one of the ten remaining places in the Final.
|
top of page
|
|
This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: 10
Position in Final draw: 16
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"Noting the relative success of Spanish and Irish entries selected using the talent show format, Greece decided to go down that route for 2004. The 'Eurostar' show, no relation to the Anglo-French train of the same name, would be used to select the country's singer and song for Eurovision. Bizarrely, the show produced a winner, only for the broadcaster to reveal that the winner wouldn't represent Greece after all. Instead, Greece are sending the popular singer Sakis Rouvas, while the 'Eurostar' finalists get the consolation prize of performing backing vocals. The Greeks seem delighted with their choice of artist and song - Sakis is apparently regarded as something of a heart-throb, while his song, 'Shake it', is co-written by Nikos Terzis, one of the writers behind Antique's 'Die for you'. This excitement is also reflected in the fan polls, where 'Shake it' is among the favourites (indeed, it currently tops the Soult.com Eurovision poll), and by the similarly enthusiastic bookies' odds. Unfortunately, I have to confess that this is one of two songs in this year's contest - the other being Serbia & Montenegro - whose popularity baffles me. I'm sure Sakis can be relied upon to give a sexy, smouldering performance, but the song itself is pleasant rather than exceptional... is that really enough to win? Certainly, contrary to some comments, I don't think 'Shake it' is nearly as strong a song as 'Die for you'. So, are we going to be heading to Athens for the first time in 2005, or is Greece's entry a victim of hype over substance?"
|
top of page
|
|
What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: 9th to 12th
My prediction for Final: Possible qualifier; 11th to 15th if it does
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"As the most hotly tipped Greek entry since Antique, 'Shake it' has to be regarded as a contender. However, from past experience, we know very well that popularity among Eurovision fans does not necessarily translate into televotes. Received wisdom has Greece topping the voting in the Semi Final - I'm not so sure. In fact, I'm going to stick my neck out and suggest that Greece may not even reach the Final - not because it's a poor song, but because there are others which, in my view, are more memorable. Most televoters' recollections of the Greek song will surely be swept away by the incredibly strong Ukrainian performance which follows it. So, don't bet against Greece's failure to reach the Final being the big surprise of Semi Final night. Of course, if Greece do nothing of the sort, and win the contest as many expect, I might as well pack up my crystal ball and go home; but for me, this just isn't one of the leading contenders. I've got to make some controversial predictions though, haven't I?"
|
top of page
|
|
What you thought...
Final Poll Ranking: out of 36 ()
(Updated 15 May 2004; change refers to movement over final week)
In the run up to the Contest, over 5,000 visitors to this site voted for their favourite song in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll.
|
top of page
|
|
What actually happened
Ah Sakis! One of the highlights of Soult.com Eurovision in 2004 was managing to incur the wrath of Greeks everywhere by daring to suggest that 'Shake It' was not as good a song - or Sakis as strong a singer - as they would like to think. True enough, Sakis' vocal performance in the Semi Final was hardly impressive; on the other hand, the overall Greek stage performance was one of the best so far, professional, modern and well choreographed, particularly coming after Maryon and her cavorting posse.
Having easily qualified for the Final, the performance on Saturday was much the same - not a great vocal (though not a terrible one either), but a slick and modern dance performance that could have tought the Belgians a think or two about onstage coordination.
With Greece finishing 3rd in both the Semi Final and Final, it suffices to say that my prediction was completely wrong. There, I said it! However, while admitting I got it wrong, I still maintain that 'Shake It' is a poor song, even if lots of other people across Europe evidently liked it. Perhaps the only consolation is that the Greek entry wasn't the surefire winner that many people had suggested. Well, I have to find crumbs of comfort somewhere...
|
top of page
|
|
What the bookies thought...
 | Greece to win: | 15/05/04 (prior to Final) | (jf) 3-1 |
| | 13/05/04 (after Semi Final) | (fav ) 3-1 |
| | 11/05/04 | (f) 7-2 |
| | 08/05/04 | (f) 4-1 |
| | 06/05/04 | (f) 9-2 |
| | 04/05/04 | (f) 5-1 |
| | 31/04/04 | (f) 5-1 |
| | 24/04/04 | (jf) 7-1 |
| | 17/04/04 | 10-1 |
| | 07/04/04 | 12-1 |
| | 24/03/04 | 12-1 |
|
|
Greece opened at 12-1, before climbing to 3-1 - on the day of the Final, Greece was the joint favourite for victory, together with Ukraine. A rare case of the two big favourites living up to their promise!
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
|
top of page
|
|
Links
 http://www.sakisrouvas.com/
 http://eurovision.ert.gr/
|
top of page
|
|
Notes (see 'History' above)
- The 1956 Contest (where each country had two songs) is counted as a single appearance;
- Countries eliminated in the 1993 preliminary heat (EE, HU, RO, SK) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 1996 preliminary heat (DE, DK, HU, IL, MK, RO, RU) ARE NOT counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest;
- Countries eliminated in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Semi Finals ARE counted as making an appearance in that year's Contest.
|
top of page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your comments (292)
From Juxhin, Albania
Added 20:24:34 2007-01-12
Sakis you are great.Albania like you.You were better than Russlana that means you was the winner.
From ELENA, Greece
Added 01:21:03 2006-11-28
Dear Pelito : to see the video of Sakis go to
;www.youtube.com and then type shake it, or eurovision 2004, or Sakis Rouvas.You'll find it for sure!Good Luck!
From Peggy, Greece
Added 16:40:25 2006-06-20
Sakis was HOT!
I thought Ruslana was ok, and it was a great song, but Sakis definatly deserved 1st.
From COKOLADA, Serbia and Montenegro
Added 14:14:14 2006-04-22
Extra song!!!Greece and,of corse,SCG(SERBIA and montenegro) are the best!Sakis is sexy,kiss for him!!!Shake,shake,shake
From pelito, GERMANY
Added 15:21:45 2004-5-19
Does anybody know where I can see the video clip of Sakis Rouvas shakke it! He's a very great performer, just wanted to say! Please answer
From Alex, GREECE
Added 18:30:2 2004-5-16
I agree with Anna although i dont understand ti grafei :P
From Anna (follow up), UNITED KINGDOM
Added 18:24:26 2004-5-16
Message to anyone dissing the Greek entry:
GET A CLUE! Sakis' performance was sexy, fun, memorable, clever, different, energetic and POPULAR! All this in addition to the fact that he is a BABE, he has worked with many other very famous performers (unlike Svetlana-whatever-her-name-is whose only claim to fame is that she toured 14 countries in order to promote her song), he is modest but still extremely good at what he does, he is described as the Greek Ricky Martin and he SHOOK the whole of the world (except of cource the ones that are incapable of being shaken due to their stiffness much like the owner of this webpage and the ones who critisised him in a ngative way.)
I, as a Greek, am VERY pround that Sakis shook it and did not agou-agou-ba-bam-bam-diri-diri his way to the top like Sveltana-Ruslana-Viking-poutana.
The whole of Europe was behind you SAKIS. Too bad the politics had to prevent you from winning. YOU ARE THE REAL WINNER THOUGH AND WE LOVE YOU LOADS!
From Alex, GREECE
Added 18:20:52 2004-5-16
In my opinion, Sakis should have taken the 1st place.
From Anna, UNITED KINGDOM
Added 18:2:4 2004-5-16
GREECE WERE ROBBED! THEY WERE THE BEST!
I suggest they divide in 4321435 countries, like ex-CCCP and Yugoslavia, and give eachother 12 points, like they did with Ukraine and Servia&Montenegro, and then they'd stand a chance of winning. It was a travesty. They should have won! They are the TRUE winners in my eyes anyway!
From JOHN, GREECE
Added 18:0:3 2004-5-16
FOR US THE WINNER IS SAKIS ROUBAS , BECAUSE IF THERE WEREN'T FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN THOSE COUNTRIES WE WOULD BE THE FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!{{{{ΣΑΚΗ ΓΙΑ ΜΑΣ ΕΙΣΑΙ ΠΡΩΤΟΣ}}}
From christine, MALTA
Added 17:26:20 2004-5-16
you had a very great song.i wish you won the eurovision maybe you will win it next year
From Sevee, GREECE
Added 16:37:55 2004-5-16
I honestly think that Greece is the true winner, since it didn't have as many neighbour friends, see Former Yugoslavia or former USSR. So, Ruslana, thank first of all your geographical position. No hard feelings though, as the first two songs were great as well. SAKIS WELL DONE! WE 'RE ALL VERY PROUD - me for the first time.
From Exotique, UNITED STATES
Added 15:58:53 2004-5-16
I must admit that Sakis outdid himself and when he sang during the final he actually made me like the song for the first time! Although I still think he is too feminine, I do want to congratulate him with a "Hopaaaaaaa!!!" for spanking one of the dancer's ass!!!!!
You go Sakis!!!
So, I was wondering what was up with the sudden sisterhood between Greece and Albania, when they filled up each other's jackpots with points!
Albania to Greece - 12 pts
Greece to Albania - 10 pts
I was totally amazed and delighted that the two countries are at friendly terms now, and I hope this means alot to both of them!
From malena, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
Added 15:57:15 2004-5-16
Greece, love u, u were the best, not Ukraine! Sakis really shook it all! filakia Ellada!
From mark, GERMANY
Added 15:53:56 2004-5-16
I hereby demand, that north european women no longer get the right to vote!
; )
From SAVVINA, GREECE
Added 15:50:36 2004-5-16
SAKIS WAS THE REAL WINNER!!!WE LOVE YOU SAKI!YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!
From IOANNIS, GREECE
Added 15:35:58 2004-5-16
SAKIS ROUVAS THE BEST SVETLANA THE WORST
From Gregory, GREECE
Added 14:51:7 2004-5-16
Soult, i would really like to see your face, the moment you realized that Greece ended up in the third place. You know what you predicted, right? We all saw how prejudiced you were against us since the beginning. I guess the result speaks for itself. I'll leave you alone now, to enjoy it to the full extend. Next time try not to make a fool of yourself with such predictions, and something else: Being prejudiced isn't cool at all. Thank you, and better luck next year!
From dimitris, GREECE
Added 13:22:33 2004-5-16
I'm glad that Ruslana won!She was hot stuff!can you believe that she wrote her song?let's hope that we'll hear a lot from her in the future!This contest was one of the toughest!Many good songs.Thanks to Sakis!If it wasn't for him and his great performance the greek song wouldn't be 3rd.Risto thanks for the votes from FYROM.We didn't vote for you because your song was good but not memorable at the end of the show.Don't forget that it was just before Sakis's performance and everyone anticipated for it.The big surprise of ths contest was Turkey.Their song was, in my opinion, out of the Eurovision formulas.I voted for it and I'm glad that it did well.Ruslana you were the best!Kiev 2005!
From Demmy, GREECE
Added 13:2:6 2004-5-16
Soult's comments :
1)In fact, I'm going to stick my neck out and suggest that Greece may not even reach the Final"
2) Of course, if Greece win the contest as many expect, I might as well pack up my crystal ball and go home;
MY COMMENTS : Next time keep you mouth shut. And baqck your ball save it somewhere...We are winners
From Justin Mala, ALBANIA
Added 12:46:15 2004-5-16
Well done neighbours! 12 points from Albania! You truly shone last night and I can wholeheartedly say that you deserved to win! But I guess next year although I dont see what greece has to change because the song was a marvel!
Best of luck! CHEERS FROM TIRANA!
From io, GREECE
Added 11:44:1 2004-5-16
o sakis an kai to thelame poly den nikise.+fwnw me ton niko oloi oi ksenoi tin parti tous koitaksane kai einai oloi tous ilithioi me tis psifous tous.thnx to all ppl from the other countries that appreciated the talent of sakis.mas pligwsan pali kai den koitane ta xalia tous.alla to xarika para poly pou oi kai kala xwres ta pigane xalia.i souidia mia zwi exei xalia tragoudia alla pairnei vathmous apo ta mouroxavla pou tin psifizoun.saki mou sagapame poly kai min stenaxwriesai,gia mas esy eisai o nikitis kai oxi i vouvala i ruslana(an kai itan kalo to tragoudaki).na min ksanapame eurovision lew egw giati meta ton saki to xaaaaaos meta ton saki to tiiipotaa....
From nikos, GREECE
Added 10:55:5 2004-5-16
EMEIS EIMASTE OI NIKHTES PAIDIA.MHN STENAXORIESTE GIA TI THESI POTE DEN THA PAME ETSI KIALLIOS PSILOTERA.DEN THA MAS AFISOUN....DEITE OI DYO PROTOI POSOUS "FILIKA GEITONIKA" 12ARIA PIRANE...KAI OI ANAISXYNTOI ANTHELLINES EVROPAIOI MONO EMAS KRAXANE ME THN KYPRO.TO MONO POU ME STENAXOREI EINAI POS EIMASTE MONOI MAS.POS DEN MAS GUSTAREI KANEIS TELIKA.OLOI MAS MISOUN KAI MAS ZILEVOUN.KAI EMEIS OPOS PANTA MALAKES.DOSAME KAI MEIS KAI OI KYPRIOI KALOUS VATHMOUS STOUS ANTIPALOUS MAS.KAI AYTOI AKOMA KAI OI SERVOI FILOI MAS MAS DOSANE PSIXOULA.MILAGA EXTES ME MIA SERVIDA FILI MOUI OPOIA STA MAGAZIA TIS XORAS TIS XOREVEI MONO ELLINIKA TRAGOUDIA KAI MOU PE POS DEN MAS EDOSAN PSILOTERO VATHMO GIATI TOUS XTYPAGAME STIN KATATAXI.TI NA PEI KANEIS.OLOI GIA TIN PARTH TOUS.EIMASTE OI MONOI SOSTOI KAI OLOI MAS KRAZOUN.TI NA PO PIA......
From Fille, SWEDEN
Added 18:41:2 2004-5-15
I love this song as much as I love greece. (loads) A great song that will be in your head for more than two seconds after the performance.. GO GREECE GO!
From eleni, GREECE
Added 18:10:7 2004-5-15
first of all i wanna say that only the fact that everybody is talking about sakis shows that he is a SUPERSTAR! if he was unimportant nobody would post a note about him in this site! no matter if he wins or not here in greece we love him! and if there is anybody who says that SAKIS is not talented he is a liar cause there are few people in the world who can dance and sing at the same time! not to mention the fact that he is the most beautiful man in instabul right now! SAKI SKISTOUS! PARTOUS TA SOVRAKA!! WE LOVE U!
|
|
top of page
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greece
![Official 2006 Double CD now available to order at Amazon.co.uk [external link in new window]](/eurovision/images/furniture/2006cd_120x215.gif)
![[external link in new window] Valid CSS!](/eurovision/images/w3c/vcss.png)
![[external link in new window] Level A conformance icon, W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0](/eurovision/images/w3c/wcag1A.png){kind=small}
