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About Greece...
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2005 Result
Points in Semi Final: N/A
Position in Semi Final: N/A
Points in Final: 230
Position in Final: 1st
2006 Contest: 2005 Winner - Directly qualified for Final
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History (1956 to 2004)
Greece's previous appearances: 25 year(s) out of 49
Years participated: 1974; 1976-1981; 1983; 1985; 1987-1998; 2001-
Best result: 3rd (2001, 2004)
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.
However, seeking an uplift in their fortunes, the Greeks pulled out all the stops in 2004, combining one of the country's most popular stars - Sakis Rouvas - with a song written by Nikos Terzis, the composer of 'Die for you'. It worked - Sakis and 'Shake it' came close to winning, with his Antique-equalling 3rd place easily securing the Greeks' direct entry to the 2005 Final.
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This year's entry
Position in Semi Final draw: N/A
Position in Final draw: 19
What I said prior to the Semi Final:
"In a year full of Eurovision veterans back for another go, Greece has enlisted Helena Paparizou - half of the duo Antique, who secured 3rd place in 2001 - in its bid for Eurovision glory. The country had a choice of three possible songs for Helena, and happily plumped for the best one - 'My number one' was the favourite beforehand, and ended up securing a very clear victory at the hands of the expert jury and televoters. My lack of enthusiasm for Sakis' song in 2004 is well-documented, but 2005 is a quite different story - 'My number one' has 'success' written all over it. Comparing it to recent Eurovision victors, it ticks all the boxes - a modern upbeat song with an ethnic flavour, performed by an attractive and experienced female artist with a good voice and impressive stage presence. Like Chiara from Malta, Helena has achieved the near-impossible - returning to Eurovision for a second go with a song that is at least as good as her first. Unless televoters decide its time for a change, and opt for the balladry of Malta or the Netherlands, Greece is definitely one of the countries to beat in 2005."
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What I predicted...
My prediction for Semi Final: N/A
My prediction for Final: 3rd to 5th
What I predicted prior to the Semi Final:
"If the bookies are right, Greece will cruise to victory - Coral's odds of 2-1 are shorter even than those enjoyed by Sakis in 2004. Similarly, the Greek entry sits a clear 2nd in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll 2005, within sight of leaders Lithuania. Scratch under the surface, however, and the story is less clear... While Sakis enjoyed almost universal praise in 2004 (except from me, of course), comments by Soult.com Eurovision visitors about 'My number one' - of which there are 300 and counting - are much more mixed. While many are enthusiastic, many others have criticised what they see as the song's lack of originality and over-ripe lyrics. In short, it is all too much Eurovision by numbers? Don't get me wrong, Greece is a real contender this year - but I feel that Elena may end up equalling her previous 3rd place, with her song just lacking that extra magic it needs in order to win."
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What you thought...
Final Poll Ranking: out of 39 ()
(Updated 22 May 2005; change refers to movement over final week)
In the run up to the Contest, 27,998 visitors to this site voted for their favourite song in the Soult.com Eurovision Poll (up from 5,000 in 2004!)
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What actually happened...
Well, whether or not 'My number one' lacked "extra magic", it certainly didn't matter on the night, with Helena doing more than enough to secure a deserved first Eurovision victory for Greece. Her 230 points - while significantly lower than Ruslana's winning total in 2004 - was 38 more than second-placed Malta, and included the maximum 'douze points' from countries as diverse as Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany and the United Kingdom. Credit where it's due - Helena looked stunning in a shimmering frock, and gave an impressive vocal performance at the same time as managing to follow an elaborately choreographed dance routine. During the rehearsals, some observers had suggested that the Greek stage show was too elaborate for its own good, with too many visual gimmicks distracting from the song. Overall, though, I feel that the whole act worked quite effectively, coming across as very professional, modern and slick. So, congratulations to Helena - whatever you might think about the quality of the song, few would begrudge Greece its first taste of Eurovision glory after so many years of trying.
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What the bookies thought...
 | Greece to win: | 21/05/05 (prior to Final) | (f) 13-8 |
| | 19/05/05 (after Semi Final) | (f) 13-8 |
| | 19/05/05 (prior to Semi Final) | (f) 2-1 |
| | 16/05/05 | (f) 2-1 |
| | 15/05/05 | (f) 9-4 |
| | 08/05/05 | (f) 9-4 |
| | 02/05/05 | (f) 9-4 |
| | 24/04/05 | (f) 2-1 |
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Greece was the favourite in 2004, but finished 3rd. In 2005, however, Helena's status as favourite - with odds as short as 15-8 - was wholly justified.
(Odds quoted here were those offered by Coral.co.uk. 'F' indicates favourite, 'JF' joint favourite.)
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Links
 http://www.helenapaparizou.com/
 http://eurovision.ert.gr/
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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.
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Your comments (573)
From TheDevilOfGreece666@hotmail.co.uk (add me if u have msn) , Cyprus
Added 00:14:25 2007-04-27
EXCELLENT SOOOOOOOOOOOONGGG...MY FAVOURITE
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From steve, United Kingdom
Added 22:30:50 2007-04-24
Helena is Miss Eurovision and she was robbed in 2001 Die for you should have won but she got her rewards with My Number 1!!! Eurovision at it best, Greece to win again in 2007
From Waylon, Malta
Added 10:09:02 2007-03-17
This Song Was Okay, I Admit It But I Believe That Greece Stole Our Victory In 2005. My Number One Had Nothing Special Just Some Choregraphy & A Good Performance..This Is Just My Opinion. In 2005 Chiara Made A Stunning Performance All Alone On Stage...The 3rd Time Malta Lost Victory, In 1998 When Chiara Ended Up 3rd, In 2002 When Ira Losco Ended Up 2nd & In 2005 With Chiara Ending Up 2nd....Good Luck MALTA 2007....Helena You Rock...!!
REPLY FROM GRAHAM: Do You Always Write Like This?
From Peggy, Greece
Added 16:33:37 2006-06-20
Helena ROCKS!!!!!
I love this song...and if you hate this song, then you suck. You know Greece rocks. And Helena rocks!
Helena, YOU are my number one!!!!
From panaotis, Greece
Added 18:22:27 2006-05-24
Helena Helena... Another year of perfection, beautiness, glory!!! Oh!! Always you will be in our hearts!!!
I'm absolutely sure that you will have an international career!!
Go Helenaaaa!!!!! You are the ONE our NUMBER ONE!!!
From DAPHNE, Malta
Added 00:32:27 2006-04-17
MY NUMBER ONE the best of the eurovision song contest since now.
From stelios, Cyprus
Added 12:45:13 2006-03-22
EUROPE,europe! you all have to understand that eurovision is a contest for songs,not for countries and stuff like that.
you alll think political! thats wrong,. ok last year Greece won. it was an amazing song excellent best in world for me,look is the song that matters,not the countries..
just vote for the song you like,dont vote your neighbours,except if is a nice song.
good luck europe..
2 0 0 6
From andreas, Cyprus
Added 22:51:36 2006-03-19
i think it was super song,and i wish i was there to cheer for it!!
From STELIOS, Select your country...
Added 16:35:08 2006-03-18
A M A Z I N G ! ! !
From sahra, Turkey
Added 13:20:43 2006-03-18
shortly helena is the most beautiful,succsessfull and sexy lady. and the greece is the most succesfull countr in eurovision every year ýn my opinion helena you are my number one ý love you
From STELIOS, Select your country...
Added 21:08:12 2006-03-09
You’re my lover
undercover
You’re my secret passion and I have no other
You’re Delicious
So Capricious
If I find out you don’t want me I’ll be vicious
Say you love me
and you’ll have me
In your arms forever and I won’t forget it
Say you miss me
Come and kiss me
Take me up to heaven and you won’t regret it
You are the one
You’re my number one
The only treasure I’ll ever have
You are the one
You’re my number one
Anything for you ’cause you’re the one I love
You re my lover
undercover
You’re my secret passion and I have no other
You’re a fire
and desire
When I kiss your lips, you know, you take me higher
You’re addiction
my conviction
You’re my passion, my relief, my crucifixion
Never leave me
And believe me
You will be the sun into my raining season
Never leave me
And believe me
In my empty life you’ll be the only reason
From KIKI, Greece
Added 17:16:45 2006-02-12
Congratulations to GREECE!!!It was amazing!!!Bravo!All we knew that Greece was the NO.1 IN THIS EUROVISION 2005!In 2006 we the Greeks we are all welcome you to Athens!See you!
From KIKI, Greece
Added 17:08:55 2006-02-12
Go GREECE!!!You are the one,the world's number one,the only treasure they''ll ever have!!!!!!!!Go Helena!We love you1!
From Algirdas, Lithuania
Added 13:12:17 2006-02-08
Good work Greece!!!;) Very good song!!!;D
From half greek - half english boy stelios, United Kingdom
Added 22:21:09 2006-02-07
are u joling that song was the best!!!!!!
it was so nice greece is the best for everything ,,for songs and other things!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
g o m y n u m b e r o n e !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From steven, United Kingdom
Added 18:25:00 2006-02-07
OH MY GOD!!! THE GREEK SONG .. MY NUMBER ONE WAS THE BEST BEST BEST SONG I NEVER HEARD !!!!!!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!!!!
From Constance , Greece
Added 17:58:57 2006-01-16
Contrary to the Soult prediction, * * * GREECE * * * took the coveted 1st place at the ESC 2005 KYIV and, because of this victory, the Song Contest will take place, this year, in ATHENS!
With her outstanding performance, * * *Helena "My Number One" Paparizou * * * easily beat the competition and achieved a clear and undisputed WIN!!!
She even managed to top that already high distinction when the Greek winning song ranked as the 4th BEST song of ALL songs ever performed on the ESC stages during the 50 Years of Eurovision's history, following such ESC classics:
1. ABBA's "Waterloo"
2. the Italian song "Volare"
3. MR. EUROVISION - Johnny "Hold Me Now" Logan !!!!
4. Helena "My Number One" Paparizou - GREECE
and rounding out the top five
was 5. Brotherhood of Man "Save you kisses for me!"
Now, THAT is some feat for a 23 year old girl, who represented one of the oldest nations on Earth!
Her musical future will continue to unfold and the fans will always admire her talent!
From markela, United States
Added 04:49:20 2006-01-15
well if romania was the best then what happened?!?!? cause if i remember correctly......greece won so what does that mean???? oh i know that means that greece was the best......anyways i just wanted to say that this is a cool web site.....great job Graham it's just sad that most of the times your predictions were wrong ...but dont let that keep you from doing what you do best.....which is .....well i dont actually know but wat eva
oh yeah last question is this web site what u do for living????
well bye for now
From yiannis, Greece
Added 15:00:21 2006-01-06
come on gram!
im waiting so much time to read your comments on the contest. Especially about helenas performance. come on!
REPLY FROM GRAHAM: I know, I'm sorry! I am working through all the performances, and have already added some of my reviews. The rest will be coming soon!
From Uzzy, Romania
Added 18:38:27 2005-12-14
Romania was the best!!grecee nafing....grece has nou voice!!:)))
REPLY FROM GRAHAM: Whatever that all means...
From Renee, GREECE
Added 20:6:16 2005-11-16
Hey Graham!!!U never posted ur final comments on the contest.I was really looking forward to it this year.....Too bad.
REPLY FROM GRAHAM: I am getting there! Just a bit longer to wait!
From TONY KEAN, AUSTRALIA
Added 3:20:29 2005-11-12
Helena Paparizou, My Name is Tony Kean I am a 31 Year old Wheelchair bound Australian, when I heard that you had won the contest I was Ecstatically Impressed and Pleased to hear you, what impressed me more was you performance of the winning song on the channel 7 show Sunrise at 7. I must say you look Astounding, I wish I could just meet you in Person
From aleksander, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Added 22:19:37 2005-9-24
this is the best song on the world
I love you
From Anna, UKRAINE
Added 16:39:3 2005-9-12
I don't like Helena Paparizou
Romania was the best!!!!...and the performances of Ruslana was very much beautifules that the performance of Helena
If you have time visit my Ruslana fan website http://ruslansite.tripod.com
From Kushtrim, KOSOVA
Added 22:53:48 2005-9-11
Well , very well , Helena ur song is very nice , like U
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Greece
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