Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017
Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "This Is Love" written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, Romy Papadea and John Ballard. The song was performed by Demy. Initially, two artists were to compete in a national final (Demy and the contestants at the fourth edition of the Greek X Factor, Stereo Soul.[1][2] However, these plans were abandoned on 13 January when Demy and Dimitris Kontopoulos were instead internally selected to represent the nation. The Greek national broadcaster Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) held a national final on 6 March 2017, at which three songs written by Kontopoulos were performed by Demy. The song with the highest percentage was selected represent the country. Eventually, "This Is Love" performed by Demy was selected as the Greek entry for the 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Eurovision Song Contest 2017 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Country | ![]() | |||
National selection | ||||
Selection process | Artist: Internal Selection Song: Ellinikós Telikós 2017 | |||
Selection date(s) | Artist: 13 January 2017 Song: 6 March 2017 | |||
Selected entrant | Demy | |||
Selected song | "This Is Love" | |||
Selected songwriter(s) | ||||
Finals performance | ||||
Semi-final result | Qualified (10th, 115 points) | |||
Final result | 19th, 77 points | |||
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
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Greece was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 9 May 2017. Performing during the show in position 10, "This Is Love" was announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and therefore qualified to compete in the final on 13 May.
Background
Prior to the 2016 contest, Greece had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest thirty-six times since their debut in 1974.[3] The nation has won the contest on one occasion in 2005 with the song "My Number One" performed by Helena Paparizou. Following the introduction of semi-finals for the 2004, Greece has managed to thus far qualify to the final with each of their entries. Between 2004 and 2011, the nation achieved eight consecutive top ten placements in the final. To this point, Greece in 2016 with Argo's "Utopian Land" failed to qualify from the semi-finals for the first time ever, being absent from the final for the first time since 2000. This was Greece's worst result at the contest.
The Greek national broadcaster, Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), broadcasts the event within Greece and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. ERT had been in charge of Greece's participation in the contest since their debut in 1974 until 2013 when the broadcaster was shutdown by a government directive and replaced with the interim Dimosia Tileorasi (DT) and then later by the New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television (NERIT) broadcaster.[4][5] Following the January 2015 Greek legislative election, a draft proposal was initiated to reinstate ERT as the public Greek broadcaster. On 28 April 2015, the draft was approved and signed into law by the Hellenic Parliament, resulting in the renaming of NERIT to ERT; ERT began broadcasting once again on 11 June 2015.[6][7] ERT confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest on 28 August 2015.[8] The Greek broadcaster has used various methods to select the Greek entry in the past, such as internal selections and televised national finals to choose the performer, song or both to compete at Eurovision. Since 2010, the Greek entry has been selected via a national final that featured a competition among several artists and songs with the votes of an expert jury and a public televote deciding the Greek Eurovision entry.
Before Eurovision
Artist selection
In December 2016, it was revealed that Demy and the duo Stereo Soul would compete in a national final with two songs each. However, on 13 January 2017, ERT confirmed Demy as the Greek representative for the 2017 contest. Dimitris Kontopoulos and Fokas Evangelinos (the so-called from public "Dream Team") were also confirmed as the composer and the choreographer respectively.
Ellinikós Telikós 2017
Following the announcement of Demy as the Eurovision 2017 representative, ERT revealed that Demy would perform three songs, all written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, during a national final titled Ellinikós Telikós 2017. Demy stated during an interview on 19 January 2017: "The first song is a ballad, the second one is a dance song and the third is surprise". All songs were performed in English and their official music videos were recorded in both Greece and Odessa, Ukraine, in order to show the hellenism of the city and to build bridges of friendship between the two countries. The titles of the three songs were announced on 28 February 2017.
Final
The final took place on 6 March 2017 at the ERT studios in Athens, hosted by journalist Elena Bouzala and actor-comedian Antonis Loudaros and televised on ERT1, ERT HD, ERT World as well as online via the ERT website ert.gr.[9] Music videos of the three songs were presented during the show and the winning song, "This Is Love", was selected by a combination of public voting (70%) and international jury voting (30%). The international jury consisted of members of Greek diaspora communities from Belgium, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Germany (Munich and Nuremberg), Armenia, Italy, Austria and Ukraine. Public voting was conducted through telephone or SMS.
In addition to the performances of the competing entries, the interval acts featured guest performances by 2017 Cypriot Eurovision entrant Hovig and 2017 Moldovan Eurovision entrant SunStroke Project.
Final – 6 March 2017 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Draw | Song | Songwriter(s) | Jury (30%) |
Televote (70%) |
Total | Place |
1 | "Angels" | Dimitris Kontopoulos, Romy Papadea | 0% | 12% | 8.4% | 3 |
2 | "This Is Love" | Dimitris Kontopoulos, Romy Papadea, John Ballard | 89% | 70% | 75.7% | 1 |
3 | "When the Morning Comes Around" | Dimitris Kontopoulos, John Ballard | 11% | 18% | 15.9% | 2 |
Detailed International Jury Votes | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Draw | Song | ![]() BEL |
![]() GEO |
![]() AZE |
![]() DEU1 |
![]() ARM |
![]() ITA |
![]() DEU2 |
![]() AUT |
![]() UKR |
Total | Percentage |
1 | "Angels" | 0 | 0% | |||||||||
2 | "This Is Love" | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 8 | 89% | |
3 | "When the Morning Comes Around" | X | 1 | 11% |
At Eurovision
![](../I/Demy_Kyiv_2017.jpg.webp)
According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of 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.[10] On 31 January 2017, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Greece was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 9 May 2017, and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.[11]
Once all the competing songs for the 2017 contest had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by the shows' producers rather than through another draw, so that similar songs were not placed next to each other. Greece was set to perform in position 10, following the entry from Portugal and before the entry from Poland.[12]
The two semi-finals and the final will be televised in Greece on ERT1, ERT HD and ERT World as well as broadcast via radio on ERA 2 and Voice of Greece with commentary by Maria Kozakou and Giorgos Kapoutzidis.[13]
Semi-final
Demy took part in technical rehearsals on 30 April and 4 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 8 and 9 May. This included the jury show on 8 May where the professional juries of each country watched and voted on the competing entries. At the end of the show, Greece was announced as having finished in the top 10 and subsequently qualifying for the grand final. It was later revealed that Greece placed tenth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 115 points: 54 points from the televoting and 61 points from the juries.
Final
Shortly after the first semi-final, a winners' press conference was held for the ten qualifying countries. As part of this press conference, the qualifying artists took part in a draw to determine which half of the grand final they would subsequently participate in. This draw was done in the reverse order the countries appeared in the semi-final running order. Greece was drawn to compete in the second half.
Points awarded to Greece
Points awarded to Greece (Semi-final 1) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Televote | ||||
12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
Jury | ||||
12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
Points awarded to Greece (final) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Televote | ||||
12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
Jury | ||||
12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
Points awarded by Greece
Split voting results
The following five members comprised the Greek jury: [14]
- Vicky Gerotheodorou – Chairperson – lyricist
- Xenia Ghali – composer and producer
- Dimitris Ouggarezos – radio producer
- Akis Anastasiadis – music producer
- Aris Petrakis – performer
Split voting results from Greece (Semi-final 1) | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Draw | Country | Jury | Televote | |||||||
X. Ghali | V. Gerothodorou | D. Ouggarezos | A. Anastadiadis | A. Petrakis | Average Rank | Points | Rank | Points | ||
01 | ![]() | 1 | 1 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 3 |
02 | ![]() | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
03 | ![]() | 9 | 5 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | ||
04 | ![]() | 6 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 5 |
05 | ![]() | 17 | 11 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
06 | ![]() | 5 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 16 | |
07 | ![]() | 14 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 1 | |
08 | ![]() | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 11 | |
09 | ![]() | 11 | 14 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
10 | ![]() | |||||||||
11 | ![]() | 10 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 2 | |
12 | ![]() | 12 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
13 | ![]() | 15 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | ||
14 | ![]() | 13 | 13 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 17 | ||
15 | ![]() | 3 | 7 | 2 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 12 |
16 | ![]() | 7 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 8 |
17 | ![]() | 16 | 16 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 12 | ||
18 | ![]() | 4 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 15 |
Split voting results from Greece (final) | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Draw | Country | Jury | Televote | |||||||
X. Ghali | V. Gerothodorou | D. Ouggarezos | A. Anastadiadis | A. Petrakis | Average Rank | Points | Rank | Points | ||
01 | ![]() | 18 | 21 | 20 | 25 | 19 | 24 | 16 | ||
02 | ![]() | 17 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 14 | ||
03 | ![]() | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 25 | |
04 | ![]() | 16 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 20 | ||
05 | ![]() | 9 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 2 |
06 | ![]() | 25 | 25 | 3 | 18 | 23 | 19 | 18 | ||
07 | ![]() | 7 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
08 | ![]() | 23 | 14 | 21 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 11 | ||
09 | ![]() | 11 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
10 | ![]() | 22 | 19 | 23 | 7 | 13 | 18 | 19 | ||
11 | ![]() | 8 | 15 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
12 | ![]() | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 17 | |
13 | ![]() | 21 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 25 | 17 | 13 | ||
14 | ![]() | 19 | 10 | 19 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 15 | ||
15 | ![]() | |||||||||
16 | ![]() | 20 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 22 | 23 | 24 | ||
17 | ![]() | 14 | 18 | 18 | 21 | 10 | 16 | 21 | ||
18 | ![]() | 10 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 10 | 1 | 12 | |
19 | ![]() | 1 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 12 |
20 | ![]() | 6 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 1 |
21 | ![]() | 24 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | ||
22 | ![]() | 15 | 20 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 20 | 22 | ||
23 | ![]() | 13 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 5 | |
24 | ![]() | 4 | 3 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 8 | 3 | |
25 | ![]() | 5 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
26 | ![]() | 2 | 23 | 16 | 1 | 18 | 13 | 7 | 4 |
References
- "Greece 2017: Demy confirms bidding for Kyiv". Oikotimes.com. 21 December 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- "Eurovision 2017: Ποιοι είναι οι επικρατέστεροι για να εκπροσωπήσουν την Ελλάδα". E-radio.gr. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- "Greece | Country profile | Eurovision Song Contest". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- Savaricas, Nathalie (11 July 2013). "Greece's state-run TV service resumes with a blast from the past". independent.co.uk. The Independent. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- "Greece's replacement public broadcaster launched". dw.com. Deutsche Welle. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- Maltezou, Renee (28 April 2015). "In symbolic move, Greece to reopen shuttered state broadcaster". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- "Greece's state broadcaster ERT back on air after two years". bbc.com. BBC News. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- "Συμφωνία ΕΡΤ - Forthnet για τα στιγμιότυπα της Super League". enimerosi24.gr (in Greek). Enimerosi24. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (6 March 2017). "Watch now: Greece decides Demy's song for Kyiv!". Esctoday.
- Jordan, Paul (25 January 2017). "Semi-Final Allocation draw to take place in Kyiv". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
- Jordan, Paul (31 January 2017). "Results of the Semi-Final Allocation Draw". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- Jordan, Paul (31 March 2017). "Semi-Final running order for Eurovision 2017 revealed". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
- "Eurovision 2017: Η επίσημη παρουσίαση της ελληνικής συμμετοχής από την ΕΡΤ" [The official presentation of the Greek participation by ERT] (in Greek). 26 January 2017. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- Jordan, Paul (29 April 2017). "Who will be the expert jurors for Eurovision 2017?". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 3 May 2017.