Fuego (Eleni Foureira song)

CyBC began to hold internal meetings to discuss the eligibility and rules of its national final to select the artist for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in June 2017.[13] Auditions began on 23 November in front of the expert jury which was composed of choreographer Charis Savvas, Melodifestivalen producer and 1992 Swedish Eurovision entrant Christer Björkman and producer Alex P.[14] CyBC stopped the auditions in January 2018 and selected the artist and the song internally.[15] On 1 February, Eleni Foureira was confirmed as the Cypriot entrant for the 2018 contest by CyBC and would perform the song "Fuego".[2] In a press conference after a short video about her was broadcast, she said she would promise to perform to the best of her ability in Lisbon, saying "I would like to say a big thank you to CyBC and all the Cypriot people, for giving me this opportunity. It is a great honour for me to represent this wonderful country which has supported me so much for all of these years."[16]

According to Eurovision rules, all nations except for the host country and the "Big 5" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[17] On 29 January 2018, a special allocation draw was held in Lisbon City Hall, which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. "Fuego" was placed into the first semi-final to be held on 8 May, and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.[18]

Eleni Foureira and her troupe during a rehearsal before the Grand Final on 12 May.

On 7 and 8 May, dress rehearsals for the first semi-final took place, including the jury show on 7 May where the professional juries of each country watched and voted on the competing entries.[19] On the day of the first semi-final, bookmakers considered Cyprus to be the most likely country to secure qualification to the final on 12 May.[20] At the 8 May sem-final, "Fuego" was performed 19th on the night, following the entry from Ireland.[21] Foureira appeared in a glittery gold sequin catsuit,[22][23] designed by Greek fashion designer Vrettos Vrettakos.[24] She wore a black mini jacket with a transparent area around her stomach and golden high-heel boots.[22][25] She was joined by four female backing dancers dressed in black and silver catsuits and transparent stiletto heels to ensure Foureira would be the primary focus.[22][25][26] The performance began with the front and centre of Foureira's silhouette against a light tunnel illuminated blue by laser lights. After she walked through the tunnel and began performing the lights changed to red for the first verse of "Fuego", which was also when her backing dancers entered the choreography.[25] The choreography included Foureira whipping around her hair, side stepping, hip swivelling, and catwalk strutting across the stage with her troupe.[22][27] Sections of the second part of the show featured smoke in shades of purple, and fireballs emerging from the edge of the circular stage. Both of these were also digitally recreated on the large screen projector behind Foureira.[25][26] The stage director of the Cypriot performance was choreographer Sacha Jean-Baptiste who had previously been involved in the Eurovision Song Contest since the 2016 edition.[23]

At the end of the first semi-final, Cyprus was announced as having finished in the top 10 and subsequently qualifying for the grand final.[28] It was later revealed that "Fuego" had placed second in the first semi-final, receiving a total of 262 points, 173 points from the televoting and 89 points from the juries.[29]

Shortly after the first semi-final, a winners' press conference was held where Cyprus was drawn to compete in the second half of the final; 25th in the running order, following the entry from Ireland and before the entry from Italy.[30][31] On the day of the grand final, bookmakers considered Cyprus the favourites to win the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in its history.[32][33]

Foureira once again took part in dress rehearsals on 11 and 12 May before the final, including the jury final where the professional juries cast their final votes before the live show.[19] Foureira performed a repeat of her semi-final performance during the final on 12 May. Cyprus took their best ever result in the Eurovision Song Contest as "Fuego" placed second in the final, scoring 436 points: 253 points from the televoting and 183 points from the juries, including twelve points from the juries of Belarus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Spain and Sweden.[34][35]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Cyprus in both the contest's first semi-final and final, as well as the breakdown of the jury voting and televoting conducted during the show.[36]