Introduction

• Participant(s): Stefania
• Song: SUPERG!RL
  
• Writer(s): Dimitris Kontopoulos, Arcade & Sharon Vaughn
• Composer(s) : Dimitris Kontopoulos & Arcade
• Broadcaster: ERT
• Social media:        
• Team review: 

As always Greece has made an internal selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. By coincidence the choice felt to the Dutch singer Stefania Liberakakis, whose parents are from Greece.

Stefania was born in Utrecht, The Netherlands in 2002 and also grew up there. In 2014 she took part in The Voice Kids, two years later she was a member of the band Kisses and had the chance to represent the Netherlands in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Kisses and Dancin’” , where she came 8th. With her first single “Stupid Reasons”  she could improve her singing profile. Furthermore Stefania is acting in various films. Additionally she is an online presenter and co-hosts two YouTube channels MEIDEN Magazine and Yours Daily.

The Eurovision song 2020 “SUPERG!RL” has been composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos and Arcade, who also composed ESC song like “Scream” for Sergej (Russia 2019) and this year’s Moldovan entry “Prison”, and many more. It’s a modern pop tune with a touch of Rn’B and a Greek styled melody. In the video clip you can see Stefania’s supernatural skills, everything which make her a supergirl.

“Na-na-nothing can stop me, no-nobody can hold me down
Standing in the light, it's a new world, let me be your supergirl
Na-na-nothing can stop me, no-nobody can hold us down
Fighting in the dark over true love, let me be your supergirl
I'm your supergirl
Fighting from the heart”

The beautiful singer with her fascinating eyes would have shined in Rotterdam, the song is not a winner song, but would have made a good impression. Luckily, the Greek broadcaster has announced that she will represent Greece next year.

History

• Debut: 1974
• Participations: 41
• Victories: 1
• Finals: 38 (14 since 2004)
• Top 10: 18
• Chances for Top 10: 44%
• Chances for Final: 82%

For Greece it would have been the 41st participation in the ESC this year, but the ESC 2020 in Rotterdam has been cancelled due to the Corona virus, the singers might have the chance to sing in 2021, like in Greece, but there must be another song.

After the debut in 1974 Greece was not often seen among the favourites, but thanks to televoting at the beginning of the new Millennium, Greece has often been found on the top of the tableau and reached many top 10 positions including one big victory by Helena Paparizou with “Number One” in 2005. This might also happened due to many Greeks living spread out over Europe, who like to support their home country with their votes.

Since the Semi Finals have been established, Greece has mostly passed them and this could guarantee a place in the Grand Finals, beside of in Stockholm 2016 and Lisbon 2018, where the Greek entry failed to qualify. Furthermore Greece could achieve eight Top10 places within ten years! In the 41 years of participation, Greece could reach a Top10 place for 18 times, so statistically there is a 44% chance for Greece achieving a very good place and furthermore to qualify for the final is at 82%!

The Greeks have always dreamed to win the ESC, the dream came true when the Greek-Swedish superstar Helena Paparizou sang her “Number One” in Kiev, 2005. This outstanding contribution was celebrated like a storm back in Greece and even beyond and Helena is still a super star in Greece and Sweden, where she was born. This victory was truly deserved as there were former years with really unfair bad rankings.

The 2006 ESC was the first and by now only time Greece could host the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. There was a warm and lovely atmosphere and the Greek television ERT has produced a great show. The host entry “Everything” by super star Ana Vissi came 9th in the Grand Final.

The juries have been quite strict with Greek entries in former years. But one jury was always very loyal with Greece – it was and still is Cyprus. The famous 12 points have always been exchanged regularly between these countries. That’s why Greece never had zero points at the end. Over the years the Greek entries have become very contemporary and combine the traditional folkloristic roots and many of them became summer hits in the Mediterranean.

Biggest successes

• 1x 1st place
  “My Number One” | Helena Paparizou (Kiev 2005)
• 3x 3rd place
  “Die For You” | Antique (Copenhagen 2001)
  “Shake It” |Sakis Rouvas (Istanbul 2004)
  “Secret Combination” |Kalomira (Belgrade 2008)
• 2x 5th place
  “Mathema Solfege” | Pascalis, Marianna, Robert and Bessy (London 1977)
  “Olou Tou Kosmou I Elpida” |Cleopatra (Malmö 1992)

Video Nostalgia

• “Autostop” | Anna Vishy and the Epikouri
  Rank 13, The Hague 1980
  
  
• “Clown” | Aphroditi Fryda
  Rank 17, Dublin 1988
  
  
• “Mia Krifi Evaisthissia” | Dionysia and Thalassa group
  Rank 20, Birmingham 1998