News - Winners press conference | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

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Written by

Gordon Roxburgh

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22/May 2005 at 03:47

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esctoday.com

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My number one is number one

Winners press conference

Shortly after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 Helena Paparizou faced the world's press and photographers. She was joined onstage by her backing dancers, backing vocalist, composers, head of delegation and tourist board representatives. She started the session by standing on top of the table, as flash photography went off everywhere, before facing questions.
Press conference The session started with Helena thanking everybody, from the EBU, NTU, the Greek Delegation, her dancers and the composers of My Number one and the Minister of Tourism for making her an ambassador. The head of delegation followed suit, saying it had been a "tough competition and stressed that Greece is "more than ready to host next years Eurovision Song Contest, in Athens in 2006". Thanks were also given to Ukraine, and Kyiv for the splendid organisation, on what was "this beautiful night" The first question was perceived by several in the hall as being slightly negative, when the journalist asked "Don't you think your song is similar to Ruslana's show?"But Helena was diplomatic in her reply, and credited Sertab in 2003 for making the mix of traditional music and modern music, and was an inspiration for those who followed, and she and was happy for Ruslana in 2004. Hers is "a very typical Greek song, in a modern way". So why did she think that Ukraine had scored so low? Her simple answer was, to "ask the Ukrainian people" and what about Moldova "It's surprising, I like the song, very nice that it was an outsider, but had a big winning chance" In 2001 she had come third, but had been the favourite, so what made her return to win? "I was happy to represent Greece for the second time", the composer then added "if we had come third with a song called My number one it would have been absurd, when you gamble you never know!" Had she been surprised at the victory, even though polls and betting had been prediciting it? "A lot of betting and fan clubs had made me favourite, it's very flattering, but you never know, the performance may not be that good...but I believed in the song" What does it mean then? It's a big victory, Greece invited the world to the Olympics, so this time its just Europe for the Eurovision Song Contest, it should be even better!" She is a friend of Angelica Agurbash, who sung for Belarus, what was her opinion of her and any words for her? "We are good friends, and sorry she didn't make final, but she will be a big star...she hasn't lost, I'd like to see Belarus in the final, and of course their composer was behind Antique and 'Shake it' from last year." A question was posed to Alex Panayi, he had now been in the Eurovision Song Contest every five year, 1995, 2000 & 2005, so what were his plans for 2010? "Well lets look at 2006 in Athens first, but in 2010..Cyprus?" Why had she moved from Sweden to Greece? "Well I haven't really moved. I am temporarily in Greece for the last one and a half years. I had to leave my family in Sweden, I spend about six months in each, I love Greece in the Summer, where it is warm, and winter in Sweden...I can't believe I still do it!" She had sung My number one in English, How about any other languages, for other countries? "Well whoever invites me..I would love to make it in other countries..so if someone can do good translations for me?" She then attempted to sing the song in Greek..but didn't get much beyond the title line! Any words of consolation for her Swedish compatriot, Martin Stenmarck who came 19th? "Well my thanks again to Sweden, Martin is a good singer, he is a musical artist", and what about Chiara from Malta, who has now finished second and third? "Chiara was at the Greek final, I think she has do it again, she's a lovely person, I thought it was her time." The final question came from the popular George from Greek radio and television, who asked her to break down the three minute stage performance, and what was going through her mind? First it had been the screams of Helena, she had been so nervous beforehand, but it was great with these five guys on stage with her, and then she got to the last hey and I thought "what happened...did I sing?" The composers then had a few words to add, Christos Dantis said he was shocked, and found it quite difficult, he hadn't realised what had happened, and couldn't believe it. It was a great competition, and thanked the Ukrainian people for their warmth and great hospitality. He would try to do his best for the Eurovision Song contest again...but not next year! Natalia Germanou then added a few remarks, recalling when she had heard the music, that the phrase my number one came to mind, and it brought us luck. She thankedHelena for bringing the voice to it, and dedicated it to the people I love, especially her father, who is not here anymore. It had been a memorable event in Kyiv tonight, and everyone was very happy, and they looked forward to Athens in 2006.

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Renzo Schembri [30311]
Fri 20 Jan 2006 17:52:55

i am a maltese and proud to be maltese...we are an island without any neighbours..so that's why we never win the contest...if we go nearly to win it's becausse that the song is a winning song but unfortinately people in other countries put us in 2nd place because for their 1st place they put their neighbours...so if we come close to the win..we know that our song was the best one..10q...and i wish u take notice of this remark...and vote not for the country buttttt for the song...10q...byebye


Mr. Blue [20227]
Mon 23 May 2005 01:54:11

I rarely react myself but this time I've read so many bullshit that I cannot resist...

First of all, many of you keep telling about political voting. This is not right, ok, but always the best song wins. Who cares if, for example, Cyprus ended up 18th instead of 19th because of the Greek voting. No country can win because it was voted by a group of neighbouring countries. Only if a song is voted by the majority of the countries has a winning possibility.

Some of you remind me those that were more than sure that the Olympic Games of 2004 would be a tragedy. Come on guys, do you still believe that Greece cannot organise Eurovision? Just compare the 2 events. I don't think that there is anyone among you not realizing that Eurovision compared to the Olympics is just a joke (both on an economical and an organizational basis).

Last but not least... I admit that the greek song was nothing special. In fact I predicted that it would be below the 5th place. But when I saw it on stage I realized that it enclosed the whole package: Good song, very good singer (and very beautiful, too!), very good and clever choreography. Tell me another song with all these characteristics.

I guess that after the Olympics 2004, Euro 2004 and Eurovision 2005, the World Cup of 2006 will be our next great achievement, he he!.. (After the unique organisation of Eurovision 2006, of course...)

CU next year in Athens!


funky town [24219]
Sun 22 May 2005 23:24:41

PEACE PEOPLE!!!!!! :-D ;-) :-)


funky town [24219]
Sun 22 May 2005 23:21:41

oh my god i just realized one thing!!!!! hahahaha when you a little bit drunk or just drunk don't ever dare to drive a car or sometrhing similar and never sit in fronT of computer and connect on internet!!!

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE JUST SMOKE AND FLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOOOOOOOD NIGHT PEOPLE AND SWEET DREAMS TO EVERYONE IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)


funky town [24219]
Sun 22 May 2005 23:18:17

OH MY GOD PEOPLE I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH AND I KNOW THAT I BRING SHAME UPON ONESELF (THIS "SHAME UPON ONESELF" IS FROM DICTIONARY!! COOL, HA???) BUT IT'S SOOOO WHATEVER AT THE MOMENT.......... ENJOY PEOPLE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AND STAY COOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)


funky town [24219]
Sun 22 May 2005 23:14:32

OH MY GOD PEOPLE I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH AND I KNOW THAT I BRING SHAME UPON ONESELF (THIS "SHAME UPON ONESELF" IS FROM DICTIONARY!! COOL, HA???) BUT IT'S SOOOO WHATEVER AT THE MOMENT.......... ENJOY PEOPLE HOW MUCH YOU CAN AND STAY COOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)




funky town [24219]
Sun 22 May 2005 23:09:06

well people i'm in very good mood. my friends and i are little bit late for eurovision drinking game but it's ok!!!!!!!!! heeeeeyaaaaaaaa!! greetings freom split,croatia!!!!!well my neighbour hhad a holy affirmation (it's rimochatolic thing), really don't know real name, that holly affirmation is literally translation from dictionary. anyway it was a great chance to get drunk (i didn't go out and i didn't drink for 2.5 months, i was busy with college). anyway, that 2.5 months is an apsolute recored for me without drink and go out with my friends. anyway, all i wan say that i'm in good mood and i'll give just great critics on every possible subject here. greaaaaaaaaat!!!!!! oh m god!!! i really feel great!!! and that's all bout alcohol and i know that's wrong but i can't help myself. it's only one life and you'll be young (by that i mean 19,20,21,22,23 yrs.) just one time so you have to use it however you know!!!! oh my god i started to talk nonsense!!!!! anyway, big kiss from biggest east adriatic city SPLIT and from croatia!!!! split is in croatia!!!! oh my god it's so great and i have to stpo typing!!!

VELIKI POZRDAV IZ HRVATSKE!!!!! BIG GREETINGS FROM CROATIA!!!!!
CIAO!!!!!! :-* :-* :-* :-* :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-) :-) :-)


Basset Hound [27536]
Sun 22 May 2005 18:04:03

The Semi Finalists(those who didn't qualify for the final-15 countries) voted these countires as their top 10: 1.Latvia,2. Switzerland,3. Romania, 4.Norway, 5.Israel, 6.Denmark, 7.Malta, 8.Greece, 9.Moldavia, 10.Croatia . (8 out of 10 were ins semis, these are how they placed after the votes)

While the finalists (25 countries) voted for these in the top 10: 1.Greece, 2.Malta, 3.Serbia&Montenegro, 4.Romania, 5.Moldava,6.Israel, 7.Latvia,8. Croatia, 9.Denmark, 10.Norway. (7 out of ten were in the semis, these are how they placed after the votes)

While the finla result ended, top 10: 1.Greece, 2.Malta, 3.Romania, 4. Israel, 5. Latvia, 6.Moldavia, 7.Serbia&Montenegro, 8.Switzerland, 9. Norway, 10. Denmark. (7 out of 10 were in the semis, these are how they placed after the votes)

Clearly shows that being in the semis helps alot on the finla night as people had the opportunity to listen to your song twice....

What do you think people ???


Chris Zavos [11043]
Sun 22 May 2005 14:38:45

According to the Greek ambassador in Kiev, Mr. Panagiotis Goumas, the Mayor of Kiev will award the golden key of the city to Helena this afternoon (6 p.m. local time), and shortly after Helena will appear at a joint concert with Ruslana. ERT has announced that they will broadcast live this concert. Stay tuned...


Jetutza Vld [26168]
Sun 22 May 2005 14:32:31

EUROPE

THE 3 JURNALISTS OF ROMANIA KIDNAPPED IN IRAK 2 MOUNTHS AGO ARE FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THIS IS GOOD NEWS


Adrian Collins [25044]
Sun 22 May 2005 14:25:39

Don't care where Greece holds it next year - just hope that they can actually organise the ticket sales so we can actually buy them - unlike the disaster of Kiev.


Peter Eriksson [28468]
Sun 22 May 2005 14:02:21


the punisher [27715]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:59:00

@ian
6 points from cyprus may not look a lot but please remember how many immigrants from other european countries live in cyprus .
the points of cyprus were from the greeks of cyprus who voted for malta but unfortunately were out numbered by immigrants in some cases.
from all the countries that cyprus voted for only 3 do not have significant amount of immigrants =>malta,norway,hungary
malta got 6,norway 3 and hungary 7.
for the rest of the votes immigrants did play an important role(of course i dont mean that the songs were bad but most probably they would have got less points).


The Phantom of the Opera [19167]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:37:04

Congratulations Greece. Elena, Christo Dante, Natalie Germanou, Fokas Evangelinos, Alex Panayi and great dancing / singing guys, you have ALL created a MIRACLE the will inspire my Greek friends for deacades to come. You have given your country OPTIMISM and a FANTASTIC SMILE FOR LIFE.

See you in ATHENS ESC 2006!


Ian S [21531]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:36:53

Hey ... malta gave 12 pts to greece 2 consecutive times ... Shake it ESC 2004 and the Junior ESC 2004 ... now when greece won it ... malta gave 6 pts to greece ... mmmmmmmmm ! I think that some maltese ppl were afraid of the competition! However Greece gave malta 8 points .... MORE than our '''' friends '''' Cyprus ... who only awarded us 6 ! I think that we should stop this thing of not voting for a favourite song cuz we're scared of competition. I am very happy that THE BEST SONG once again won! And the 2nd best song came 2nd!
Therefroe the telvoting proved itself right once again ! ALWAYS the best songs win :
e.g. lately: Turkey 2003 ... Ukraine 2004 and now Greece 2005 !

I would like to thank Chiara for making us maltese proud once again ... and now im very stressed with all my studies ... but thanks to chiara ... yesterday night i had the best time of my life .... CAR CADING !!!!!!!
So that all the europeans will know: alot of night clubs in malta were celebrating chiara's achievement ... and loadz of ppl (me included) went car cading - playing the Song ANGEL ... and also (MY NUMBER ONE) ..... but we dedicated it to CHIARA ! lol!
see you in athens !


Chris Zavos [11043]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:35:56

I am not sure if it's going to be [b]THE[/b] Olympic stadium, but it should be an Olympic stadium. This morning I heard the interview by the Minister of Culture, Mrs. Fanny Palli-Petralia, who said that the Greek government intends to use the Olympic facilities for next year's contest.


Ruth Grima [27535]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:33:00

relaaaxxxxxxx..........ther's still a yr to go.lol....u'll get ur tickets dont wory....
Where do greece get all that moni from tho?....in 2004 they staged the olympics now, 2yrs later, the ESC......wow.Minister of Finance must be stressing out.hehe


Pavlos R [22888]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:31:50

@ DANIEL

thanks man!
this is what i just heard from the lips of the president of ERT! dunno if its just in the excitement of the night or its true but i guess that he would not proceed to such words without reason!
so lets all hope that this will be true
ESC 2006 IN THE ATHENS OLYMPIC STADIUM!


Srdjan Simic [19171]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:28:26

Are you kidding me?
well now I have a good chance to get a ticket for next years ESC :D
I hope it stays in the Olympic stadium of Athens.... Ohhhh greeks are just so great... I have to love Greece... there is nothing else I can feel or think about Greece.... wow...


Pavlos R [22888]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:24:06

BREAKING NEWS>>>>>
The president of ERT (the Greek public broadcaster) announced in front of the cameras that the next year's event will be held (wow) in
THE OLYMPIC STADIUM OF ATHENS which has a capacity of 70.000 attendants!!
INCREDIBLE HUH?
THANK U ALL EUROPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!


Ruth Grima [27535]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:22:37

LOL........I'll come to Athens only if u gurantee that Malta win and you come to watch ESC here! :P lol.......i think i will have to satisfy myself with just watching it on TV next year because of university needs. but i hope to see you in valletta in 2007 ;) ;)


Kylie C [22530]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:22:03

@chris zavos
That would be just PERFECT!!!!!!


Chris Zavos [11043]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:17:31

This is so kind of you Ruth. I hope you can come to Athens next year, and maybe we can move to Valetta in 2007??


Ruth Grima [27535]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:12:12

To Chris:
As i said tnk god not all of the listeners took notice of what was said on the radio. I didnt say Helena did not praise Chiara...but she didnt really help her out either. I mean...come on!She made stuff up!
But dont worry...us maltese are more than happi about 2nd place and many of us keep singing helena's song...so no hard feelings.....this only makes us stronger to try again and win it in a few years time ;) * Ruth offers Chris a handshake* :D


Ruth Grima [27535]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:08:55

To Chris:
As i said tnk god not all of the listeners took notice of what was said on the radio. I didnt say Helena did not praise Chiara...but she didnt really help her out either. I mean...come on!She made stuff up!
But dont worry...us maltese are more than happi about 2nd place and many of us keep singing helena's song...so no hard feelings.....this only makes us stronger to try again and win it in a few years time ;) * Ruth offers Chris a handshake* :D


Srdjan Simic [19171]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:04:44

I agree with Chris Zavos... he has a really good point...


Chris Zavos [11043]
Sun 22 May 2005 13:03:13

To Ruth:

If there were a couple of stupid persons that made such remarks, that doesn't mean that all the Greek people heard them, and (above all) agreed with them. As I said, the 8 points awarded to Chiara prove that her song was one of the most popular in Greece. Helena herself said in the press conference that Chiara is a great singer and she deserves to try a third time to get the Eurovision prize.


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