Introduction

• Participant(s): Gabriela Gunčíková
• Song: I Stand
  
• Writer(s): Aidan O'Connor & Sara Biglert
• Composer(s): Christian Schneider & Sara Biglert
• Broadcaster: ČT
• Social media: 
• Team review: 

The Czech broadcaster ČT has made an internal selection to determine the entry for Stockholm. Out of 40 entries the choice felt to “I Stand” sung by Gabriela Gunčiková. An expert jury from ČT was convinced that Gabriela might have the best chances to compete in an event on an international level like the ESC as she has already a lot of experiences.

Gabriela Gunčiková was born in Kromeríž, Czech Republic in 1993. She is also a casting star like many other ESC candidates this year, as Gabriela was a finalist in the second season of SuperStar and won the "New Artist" award at the 2011 Ceský Slavík awards. After that she decided to go to the USA to study at the Ken Tamplin Vocal Academy. She has been awarded as one of the best students. Then she joined the US American Trans Siberian Orchestra, a mixture of rock band and orchestra where she toured twice and attended over 120 concerts.

The Czech entry “I Stand” is great pop song, which seems to be tailor-made for the wonderful voice of Gabriela. The stunning entry has nothing Czech at all, it’s a cosmopolitan song, written by the Swede Sara Biglert and the Irishman Aidan O'Connor. Judging by the video clip, the Czechs have tried the utmost best to shine in Stockholm. Maybe the long yearned dream to reach the Grand Final comes true this year. Even a top position would be possible if the stage show is equally impressive as the video clip. Good choice!

History

• Debut: 2007
• Participations: 5
• Victories: 0
• Finals: 0
• Top 10: 0
• Chance for Top 10: 0 %

The stats for the Czech Republic do not look too good, they have never been in the Grand Final or even reached a position in the Top 10. Unlike other countries like Azerbaijan or Ukraine, the Czechs had difficulties to meet the European taste of music.

The Czech Republic has been transmitting the Eurovision Song Contest for many years until they have decided to join the contest in 2007. The debut entry “Malá Dáma” by the rock singer Kabát has only received one point in the Semi Final and came last. The best position could be achieved last year in Vienna, when Marta Jandová & Václav Noid Bárta with “Hope Never Dies” could reach #13 in the Semi Final. This was a very good progress and showed contemporary Czech music. A lot of TV spectators will not even have noticed that the Czech Republic has been taking part, as they have never passed the qualification rounds, so there was no appearance in the Grand Finals. The neighbour country Slovakia had its debut in 1994 already, and participated seven times, but none of the songs has ever really been successful. Maybe the enthusiasm in both countries is has not been strong enough for this music format, even if the Czechs had its Intervision.

Great to see that the Czech Republic is still interested despite the unsuccessful participations. And this year looks quite prosperous, a great singer with a great song. So the Grand Final has never been so realistically like this year.

The former Eastern European countries had a similar contest in the past called “Intervision”, which resulted of the annual Sopot Festival in Poland. This was a music festival from the post-Soviet states and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. There countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, GDR, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, even Western European countries participated like Finland, Switzerland and even beyond Canada and Cuba. A lot of international stars have been invited as well such as Whitney Houston, Vanessa Mae, Chris Rea, Annie Lennox, LaToya Jackson, Tanita Tikaram and many more. There were plans for a revival of this contest with Russia and China.

The most popular Czech singer in the ESC is with not doubts Karel Gott, who has been representing Austria with “Tausend Fenster”, which was composed by Udo Jürgens and made a 13th place in 1968.