Helena Paparizou, the 2005 Eurovision victor, and Sakis Rouvas, Greece’s representative in both 2004 and 2009, are set to co-host the Greek national final on January 29. The event will determine Greece’s entry for Eurovision 2025 in Basel.
For the first time in 22 years, Greece is opting for a public national final to choose its Eurovision entry, having consistently selected its representatives internally since 2003. The announcement of the hosts has added to the mounting excitement and speculation over the participating artists. Helena Paparizou and Sakis Rouvas, two of Greece’s cherished Eurovision icons, will be at the helm of the national final broadcast.
Eurovision Histories of the Hosts
Both Helena and Sakis bring extensive Eurovision experience to their hosting duties for Greece’s 2025 national final. Here is a glimpse into their Eurovision legacies:
Helena Paparizou is renowned as Greece’s most esteemed Eurovision participant, celebrated for securing Greece’s only win in 2005 with “My Number One” in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her victory came after 25 years of Greece’s participation in the contest. Helena’s success has cemented her as a legendary figure in Greek Eurovision history, bolstered by a loyal fan following. She took part in an interval act at the Eurovision 2024 event held six months ago in Malmö. Helena was initially considered to represent Greece in Eurovision 2024 but declined, making way for Marina Satti to step in. Helena has expressed openness to returning to Eurovision if she finds the right song.
Sakis Rouvas, another prominent figure in Greek Eurovision history, is one of Greece’s most popular singers. He represented Greece in 2004 with “Shake It”, achieving a third-place finish, and later co-hosted the 2006 Eurovision in Athens following Helena’s win. Sakis returned to the stage as Greece’s representative in 2009 in Moscow, finishing seventh with “This Is Our Night”.
Details of the National Final
According to Greece’s national broadcaster ERT, a total of 187 songs have been submitted for the selection process. These entries span diverse genres and styles, from traditional and folk to contemporary pop, rock, and dance, highlighting the rich tapestry of Greek music. The national final’s voting process will involve both Greek and international professional judges, each contributing 25% to the outcome, while the public vote will make up the remaining 50%. A full list of participants and further information about the event will be disclosed soon.
Greece’s Achievement in Eurovision 2024
Marina Satti represented Greece with her song “Zari”, chosen through an internal selection by ERT. The entry successfully qualified for the final, finishing fifth in the second semi-final with 86 points and ultimately landing in 11th place with 126 points in the grand final.
Eurovision 2025 will see Greece participating for the 45th time. The country debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974 and achieved its highest success with Helena Paparizou’s 2005 victory.
Read about the contestants –Greece Prepares for Eurovision 2025 with a Stellar National Final Lineup
