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Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest

Greece
Greece
Member station Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT)
National selection events
Appearances
Appearances 37 (36 finals)
First appearance 1974
Best result 1st: 2005
Worst result 16th SF: 2016
External links
ERT Page
Greece's page at Eurovision.tv
Song contest current event.png For the most recent participation see
Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017

Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 37 times since its debut in 1974, missing six contests in that time (1975, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1999 and 2000). Greece won for the first time in 2005 with "My Number One", sung by Elena Paparizou. The national broadcaster, Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi (ERT) broadcast the event each year and organised the process for the selection of the Greek entry. Greece has never finished last in the contest.

Greece only achieved two top five results in the contest throughout the 20th century, finishing fifth in 1977 with the song "Mathima Solfege", and again fifth in 1992 with the song "Olou Tou Kosmou I Elpida" performed by Kleopatra. In the 21st century, Greece has been more successful, with ten top-ten results, including third-place finishes for Antique in 2001 (with 2005 winner Paparizou as lead singer), Sakis Rouvas in 2004 and Kalomira in 2008.

After debuting in the 1974 Contest, Greece did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 1975 for "unknown reasons" according to the EBU, but it was discovered that the withdrawal was in protest of Turkey's debut and its invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Greece was disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 after it was revealed that Themis Adamantidis was to sing "Sarantapente Kopelies" (Σαρανταπέντε Κοπελιές), a previously released song. A known Greek folk song had been revised for the competition, but it violated the rules since all songs have to be original in terms of songwriting and instrumentation and cannot be cover songs. Greece was forced to pay a fine, and was allowed to return the following year. Had Adamantidis been allowed to perform "Sarantapente Kopelies", he would have appeared second at Harrogate. After returning in 1983, ERT decided that all of the possible songs were of "low quality" and decided not to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 1984.


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