They share a common language, strong cultural ties and a deep love for Eurovision. And while only Greece has claimed a win at the Eurovision Song Contest, Cyprus has proven in recent years that it’s got the ambition and creativity to pull it off in the years ahead.
There was a four-year stretch from 2006 to 2009 when Cyprus failed to qualify. But since sitting out the contest in 2014, they’ve managed to reach the grand final every year. And this year they took things to another level, achieving their best-ever result — second place — with the stunning Eleni Foureira. She brought the fire, and Europe felt the heat.
Greece’s fortunes have worked in the other direction. Between 2004 and 2011 they seemed unstoppable, earning eight consecutive Top 10 finishes, including a win with Helena Paparizou in 2005 and a third place with Kalomira in 2008. But disaster struck in 2016 when Argo recorded the country’s first ever non-qualification, a feat Yianna Terzi repeated just last month in Lisbon.
We share our opinions — and our favourites — in the video above. That’s what we think, but what do you think? Scroll through our polls below and let us know which country has won you over more in recent years.
2012
[polldaddy poll=”10025146″]2013
[polldaddy poll=”10025149″]2014
Cyprus did not participate in the 2014 contest, owing to an economic crisis and the need to slash budgets at the broadcaster.
So, instead of asking you to choose between countries, let’s just relive our first interview with Greece’s Freaky Fortune.
2015
[polldaddy poll=”10025155″]2016
[polldaddy poll=”10025157″]2017
[polldaddy poll=”10025163″]2018
[polldaddy poll=”10025167″]
Which country has wowed you the most in recent years? Of all these individual acts, who was your favourite? And how can Greece find its feet again? Let us know down below.
BY THE WAY Y’ALL!!! Ivi Adamou just had a baby!!! Congrats Ivi!
Great article! As a greek, I feel disappointed from our last few participations. Since 2014 I am not keen on any of our entries. Generally, I think our national broadcaster doesn’t really care about Eurovision. And that’s irrational, because they only benefit from this program. So, they pick less known artists, with average songs, just to save money and say that we’ve particiapated. Well known artist know that ERT doesn’t take it seriously and that they won’t have any help so they don’t even bother. Not to mention their tendance towards “quality” with songs in greek and with a traditional… Read more »
Overall Greece is much better IMO, but in recent years Cyprus put in more of an effort.
This year I preferred the Greek song, but they really messed up with the performance.
I’ve got an evens-and-odds thing going on:
Cyprus wins: 2012, 2016, 2018 (close, though, I really liked Greece’s as well this year)
Greece wins: 2013, 2015, 2017
Best Cypriot entrant : Evridiki 1994
Best Greek entrant : Anna Vissi 2006/Elina Konstantopolou 1995
Worst Cypriot entry : 2010
Worst Greek entry : 2002
I fully agree on Cyprus 1994!
Evridiki is my very favorite! 1994 is very dramatic and classy while I like 1992 even more – very sensual and… classy again. She was called “sex kitten” by Terry Wogan but then again she was no bimbo, not even close. Sophisticated young woman with stellar songs and voice.
Cyprus – 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 <3
Greece – 2013, 2015
Overall Greece has better entries but lately Cyprus has been outdoing them both with quality and results.
Let’s do this HARD way (1st entry Greek, 2nd Cypriot): 1981: Feggari kalokerino > Monika 1982: Greece DNS 1983: Mou les To katalava arga 1986: Greece DNS 1987: Stop > Aspro mavro 1988: Cyprus DNS 1989: To diko sou asteri > Apopse as vrethoume 1990: Horis Skopo SOS 1992: Olou tou kosmou I Elpida Mi stamatas (love both!) 1994: To trehandiri < Eimai anthropos ki ego 1995: Pia prosefchi < Sti fotia 1996: Emeis forame… < Mono yia mas 1997: Horepse < Mana mou 1998: Mia krifi evaisthisia < Genesis 1999-2000: Greece DNS, 2001: Cyprus DNS 2003: Never Let You… Read more »
I don’t know why I can’t edit and why some of words got lost by putting 2 years in 1.
It’s:
1981 GREECE
1983 CYPRUS
1985 GREECE
1987 GREECE
1989 GREECE
1990 CYPRUS
1991 GREECE
1992 CYPRUS
1993 GREECE
1994 CYPRUS
1995 CYPRUS
1996 CYPRUS
1997 CYPRUS
1998 CYPRUS
2002 GREECE
2003 CYPRUS
2004 CYPRUS
2005 GREECE
2006 GREECE
2007 GREECE
2008 GREECE
2009 CYPRUS
2010 GREECE
SINCE 2011 CYPRUS
Do this also for Sweden vs. Denmark, UK vs. Ireland, Spain vs. Portugal, Germany vs. Austria..
“UK vs. Ireland” better have a “neither” option.
They’re both equally good for me! 😀
In general I’ve preferred Greece over Cyprus up to this point.
2012: Tie
2013: Greece by far
2015: Greece by far
2016: Cyprus
2017: Greece by far
2018: Cyprus definitely, though I liked Greece as well
I also thought last year’s entry for Greece was really good. I still listen to ‘This Is Love’ by Demy sometimes.
As for this year, I think it’s one of the best songs Greece has sent to Eurovision. It’s a shame it didn’t make it to the final. I didn’t like Cyprus entry…the singer can’t sing live. It sounded like playback in the final to me.
In my humble opinion, “Alcohol Is Free” was the best Greek Eurovision entry ever.
2012: Cyprus
2013: Cyprus
2015: Greece
2016: Cyprus
2017: Cyprus
2018: Cyprus
Greece have lost it since 2015… Cyprus won it since then :).
My fave among those is Alcohol is Free.
2018 – Cyprus
2017 – Cyprus
2016 – Cyprus
2015 – Greece
2013 – Greece
2012. – Cyprus
2011 – Cyprus
2010 – Greece
2009 – Greece
2008 – Greece
5 /10 Cyprus
5/10. Greece
Cyprus has improves so much recent years. They are bold and courageous. They send different genres and give us good staging. Greece lost big time with Argo..and they still aren’t getting back to where they were…
How can anyone actually like Cyprus 2015?!?
Not that I liked it, but I prefer Cyprus to Greece in 2015.
so disappointing article! Bad for Wiwibloggs ! Its a pity!
Nothing bad about it. Eurovision season is over. Looking back at the past is a great way to fill time until eurovision starts again and more news comes in
Maria – It’s a pity that you have terrible grammar.
Generally Greece, but in recent years definetely Cyprus. I feel like Greece lost its spirit, whereas Cyprus has really improved throughout the years.
It’s kinda bizarre but Greece failed to get good results after Turkey left the contest.
And also Azerbaijan.
I’m guessing Greece and Turkey competed for the best Mediterranean entry and Azerbaijan although best friends with Turkey (Turkey only competed in 2012 because of Azerbaijan) they wanted to be higher than one another.
Yes, Azerbaijan and Armenia partly as well with the exception of 2014 and 2016, which both had to reach TOP 10.
But I do not agree with the point that Azerbaijan and Turkey wanted to be higher than one another 🙂
Turkish people did not care when Azerbaijan placed higher than Turkey, cause they were just happy for them. The same goes to the Azeris.
Why the hell people prefer cyprus in 2017??? Cheap generic melfest reject and the LAMEST and most unoriginal performance i have ever seen in esc!!! Get some TASTE people
Well, I guess this is because Greek song is even worse… Yours description of “Gravity” is suitable for both entries
The greek song was at least catchy and fun
Hovig was by far better.
Cyprus 4
Greece 2 (+ Freaky Fortune)