Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love.

And today Katerine Duska had her spirit as she took stage during Greece’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2019.

The stage is set in shades of pink, focused around a large prop that resembles an egg, and with frequent flowery outbursts.

To some, the Greek stage might look crowded, with backing vocalists and dancers.

Others may think they have made the most of the six person allowance. During the performance there is dancing, sleeve-ography with flowy-dressed backing vocalists and fencing.

Which is not to mention the giant egg or flowers on stage.

Like many there were some camera angles that did not work or will need work before staging.

But one things that needs no work is Katerine Duska‘s voice. She sounded fantastic, particularly in her upper register, and was belting it out from the first run through.

Katerine Duska — “Better Love”: Reviews and Reactions

Greece: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2019

Greece: First press conference 2019

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

124 Comments
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Matthew
Matthew
4 years ago

Well, which one of you is gonna vote for Katerine then?

Karl Fradgley
Karl Fradgley
4 years ago

This a great entry – with all the male vocalists at the top of the betting odds – could this be a dark horse for the win?

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

Before the rehearsals, some were suggesting that this might even be a surprise non-qualifier. Well, that’s not going to happen now! Great job, Greece. Should be a definite top three in SF1.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

From all the stagings we’ve seen so far, this seems to be the more carefully crafted. The costumes, the colors, the prop, the background, everything connects and I bet it looks tasteful and harmonious on camera. Like Slovenia, Greece is trying to embrace our senses, not to grab our attention by the throat. I hope it works.

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I am not sure which other acts you are referring to, but clearly no act can reach through the TV to grab our throats, so clearly aren’t those other acts also “embracing our senses,” just perhaps in a different way?

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

Figure of speech, obviously. The big difference is in the verbs: embracing x grabbing. Greece won’t pull you closer to steal a kiss, it’s up to the audience to notice how kisseable their entry is. 🙂

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago

This is pure art.

Rimig
Rimig
4 years ago

Happy to see my number 2 is not dissapointing. I have to admit that I was really worried, even after Madrid. But it looks like things are coming to a good end and Katerine can give an amazing performance. Top 5 most probably!

Elina
Elina
4 years ago

And yes .. That’s the winner of semi final 1 . Sure qualifiers also are Cyprus , Estonia , Czech Republic , Australia , Slovenia and Iceland . Possible qualifiers Hungary , Portugal , Belgium , Poland , San Marino , Serbia and Belarus . Sure non-qualifiers are Georgia , Finland and Montenegro . Greece would be top 3 in jury vote in the final and as far as I am concerned according to the comments 4th-7th in the televote … And that’s enough to bring them in top 5 in the final ! P.S. I really liked Australia from… Read more »

Sean
Sean
4 years ago

Wow what a voice!The staging is like from another world!Love it!The winner of the day and of course the winner of the semifinal 1!Greece serves art this year

kaiti
kaiti
4 years ago
Reply to  Sean

katerina duska the perfect voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Komentator
Komentator
4 years ago

Feminine and virgin, vocal is fascinating…But when will the poll for the best rehearsal from first semi-final???

Berco
Berco
4 years ago

You’d better be rich to spend blindly.

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago
Reply to  Berco

Um Berco, I am pretty sure Greece’s performance deserves this. As there is EFFORT and TALENT put in it so

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago

Ah AH AH , this was so good that she hasn’t move on the betting odds. People here are so deluded or biased.

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Keep downvoting and it will show more how much you are deluded.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

showing how much you are is already enough.

Andreas
Andreas
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Probably the odds will change after all countries will make their first rehearsal. Don’t forget that most of the countries that are higher than Greece are in the second semi. We will see what will happen

Luljeta Krasniqi
Luljeta Krasniqi
4 years ago

Jonida will destroy Katerinee…. Albania will ruin Greece

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
4 years ago

Dude….they aren’t even in the same semifinal….

Fotinikk
Fotinikk
4 years ago

Relax mate

Elina
Elina
4 years ago

Actually Albania can’t ruin any country according to their potitical-financial-economical situation in any field !

allex
allex
4 years ago

YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN

Onar
Onar
4 years ago

Jonida is a lovely and very talented person and I don’t think she wants to ‘destroy’ anyone. Some people need to tone down their racism and bias a little, it’s a music contest for crying out loud. Good luck to Albania and Jonida, your song is beautiful.

Bouke
Bouke
4 years ago

This is magic

Andy
Andy
4 years ago

I will be very curious to see how this will do with the juries. Greece has never been voted in the top 10 by them (please correct me if Im wrong) even in years with professional/decent performances. Also, just cause they are juries it doesn’t mean they will vote for something that is artistic or with a very good voice (see how much lower than expected Italy was with II Volo).

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy

they have never placed greece in top 10, sakis was 11th in juries, lukas in 2011 was 14th and 3rd (!) in the televoting!

Andreas
Andreas
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Juries never vote for Greece. Instead they support some countries every year, like Sweden……
Hope to see a change for once

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

This is gonna be voted by juries , it’s so beautiful and stands out.

Nice outfits, very theatrical and i hope the TV camera shots will be amazing. They deserve it.

Paul
Paul
4 years ago

There are so many ugly outfits this year!!

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  Paul

True but very few van have the Sergey class.

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Yeah Ivanov, well no, this isn’t true.

Marios
Marios
4 years ago

I think it will be this, The Netherlands or Italy for the trophy.

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  Marios

lol none of them will be top 5.

anderson
anderson
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

hahaha, netherlands not in top 5, lol

Albaniangirl
Albaniangirl
4 years ago

Sorry Greece but very static performance… it is very dark the song is nothing special and unfortunately it will qualify

Marios
Marios
4 years ago
Reply to  Albaniangirl

unfortunately for you, it will also end up in top 5 at least

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago
Reply to  Albaniangirl

you are ridiculing yourself. The staging was full of pink colour. Lets hope your country brings something apart from bad clothes (hello festivali i kenges)

Albaniangirl
Albaniangirl
4 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

My country this year will slay!… we send a goddess with a song full of messages… we deserve to win!

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago
Reply to  Albaniangirl

hahaha yianna terzi sends her kisses

Sarina
Sarina
4 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

?? enough im really tired of Greek fans who insult others because they do not like our song. This is terrible. Sometimes i really ask myself if the majority of Greek fans who write on YouTube are 15 year old. You are really immature. As a Greek fan myself i feel really ashamed of you . Please respect other opinions. You give a very bad impression of greek people to European fans. Of course we are not all the Greek fans like that, actually most of as respect other opinions, but there many who don’t. We have a very big… Read more »

Komentator
Komentator
4 years ago
Reply to  Albaniangirl

Very positive*

Konstantinos
Konstantinos
4 years ago
Reply to  Albaniangirl

Why this hate for Greece from albania? I don’t get it… We are neighbors, we should support each other. We have nothing to separate. Keep it down because the fact is…that Greece’s song is WAY better than Albania’s this year.

Manuel Treill
Manuel Treill
4 years ago
Reply to  Konstantinos

Excuse me but I am Greek and I have to say that posting your personal taste as a fact is just ridiculous, as well as the fact that you try to belittle other songs just to make Better Love seem like ‘the’ song of the year, I get that you’re a fan but this is a very sick way to show support to your entry.

Anna
Anna
4 years ago

Unique artistic view. Her vocals were stunning and the whole concept really innovative !!!
Greece now is a potential winner (almost sure to win semi1) of the whole competition. In my opinion the BIG outsider after Holland and Italy (actually these three countries are the real competition).

Jennie2000
Jennie2000
4 years ago

Although i am not a big fan of this song i think it is one of the songs whether you like it or not you will respect them

All Wei
All Wei
4 years ago
Reply to  Jennie2000

So that would put them in the same category as iceland?

Ele
Ele
4 years ago
Reply to  All Wei

It would be a disgrace for Katerina to bring her down to meet Hatari

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago
Reply to  Ele

It might help if you spelled her name correctly – come on, it’s only 8 letters honey!

Stelios
Stelios
4 years ago
Reply to  Jennie2000

Although is one of the few times that I am fan of my country’s song I like the way you express your opinion thank you

Marlene Jørgensen
Marlene Jørgensen
4 years ago

Absolutely amazing!!

okio
okio
4 years ago

I am only one who dont like this song?hmm

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  okio

I don’t like it either but I tolerate it. Much worse songs this year in Eurovision

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Yep like the cheating song.

Sarina
Sarina
4 years ago
Reply to  okio

You are not the only one, also i don’t like the fact that some Greek fans are disrespectful to others. I am Greek by the way . See all the dislikes in your comment. These are all from Greek fans. Some of them need to grow up mentally .

Stelios
Stelios
4 years ago
Reply to  Sarina

Just to mention that every opinion actually as a matter of taste is respected. Not everyone like the same things or even better understand something or feel it the same way. So yes many people like it and many people don’t. But the WAY a like or a dislike is expressed sometimes it is really bad and it is expressed in way with the intention to take a bad answer. Let’s relaxxxx and enjoy a music contest

Danny
Danny
4 years ago

Yianna take notes please.

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

So many faves to win this year, it will be funny to see the national juries trying to blank each other lmao

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

S!sters gonna get all those 12 points…

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

I can totally see that. it will be fun to watch!

Idksmth
Idksmth
4 years ago

A potential winner of this year’s ESC, no doubt. Amazing staging.

oli
oli
4 years ago

Very beautiful staging and dresses, and her voice is on point. But in my opinion, this number lacks impact. I don’t see a winner here, rather a place 15-25th in the final.

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  oli

Agree. Menstrual pads commercial vibes

Ele
Ele
4 years ago
Reply to  oli

Yeah like the chicken sounds and the cats waving last year was something that had impact..

Sarina
Sarina
4 years ago
Reply to  Ele

Ele ok you have to grow up and learn some manners. He just said his opinion

allex
allex
4 years ago

Best rehearsal of Semi Final One. Jut amazing, this may have a shot of winning the whole thing. Well done Katerine and Greece

Daan
Daan
4 years ago

Really cool act! Greece will q for sure now

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

Athens 2020, anyone?

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  NickC

The Olympics are not in Japan ?

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  NickC

+24 AHAHA, even the Duncan fanatics can’t compete with the Greeks delusionals here.

Marios
Marios
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Yeah Greeks and Dutch are delusional, not you commenting almost everywhere about Sergey’s certain victory and spreading hate about everything else

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago

Boring. Bring Sergey on !!

allex
allex
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Stop banging on about Sergey

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  allex

Tuesday is the day all the deluded Netherlands, Greece, Italy or any other else will cry seeing it’s #MOSCOW2020

Marios
Marios
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

And that ladies and gentlemen is the person saying Dutch and Greek people delusional

Andreas
Andreas
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

If Sergey didn’t win 3 years ago there’s no way he’s goinfre to win with a song which is levers lower than his last attempt. No matter how much money you put on the staging it doesn’t change the fact that the song is BOTING. And it’s a pity because Sergey is a nice guy

Meninm
Meninm
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Whose song lyrical content makes NO SENSE. All he has is a scream lol

allex
allex
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Shut up

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

sergey is too shook to appear now

Andreas
Andreas
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Ivanov, you are one of the most immature person I saw by all comments. We love Sergey and we know what he can do on stage. We wait to see what he has to offer
And that’s the only reason he is so high by the odds. The song isn’t very exciting, nice one, but not great.

Vasileios
Vasileios
4 years ago

It resembles a fountain, not an egg.

Kkar
Kkar
4 years ago
Reply to  Vasileios

They were talking about the balloon. It indeed looked like an egg

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago
Reply to  Vasileios

A condom lol

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Yeah Ivanov, I am pretty sure Greece serves authenticity this year, in comparison to the same usual crap that Sergey does, so please take what you said back and sit down, thank you 🙂

Roberta
Roberta
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

“A condom”! How very funny, Ivanov! I wish your parents had one of those back then!

Davidesc
Davidesc
4 years ago

The staging is as good as i had expected…. Love the costumes and the aesthetics so much and the vocals were on point… I think that Greece will be in the top 10 after 6 years and i am 90% sure that the top 3 of this semi is gonna be Iceland, Greece and Cyprus but i don’t know who’s gonna be the winne

Rimig
Rimig
4 years ago
Reply to  Davidesc

I would rather say Greece, Iceland and Australia…

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago
Reply to  Rimig

Same, I wouldn’t put Cyprus in my Top 3 for now, but in 4th

Irina
Irina
4 years ago

I am getting winner vibes, even tho i was not a huge fan of this song in the first place, but Wow. Artistic, poetic, dreamy, like a fairytale! Top5 for sure!

Danieli
Danieli
4 years ago

Greece is giving to Europe art lessons. Well done, this is so satisfying! The first winner vibes of 2019!

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago
Reply to  Danieli

PREACH

Berco
Berco
4 years ago

I love the visuals, her voice, colors and the staging. But isn’t that high note unnecessarily long?

Yox
Yox
4 years ago
Reply to  Berco

Yes, it’s so annoying.

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  Berco

It is to pretend she is a great vocalist

Roberta
Roberta
4 years ago
Reply to  Elsa

Maybe you could pretend to be a great person. Or a normal person. Actually, just a person will do

Whisker
Whisker
4 years ago
Reply to  Roberta

Let her go, she’s a sad one.

Hmm
Hmm
4 years ago

She improved so much vocally from Amsterdam. I do find the staging a bit too simple and static for my tastes though, but seeing how everyone is thrilled by Greece’s performance, I guess it is me the problem and not the stage lol.

After watching all the rehearsals of semi-final 1, I believe Greece was the best and most probably winning semi-final one. But reading comments on youtube and this website gives the impression that Greece has already won Eurovision… I think Greece’s fans should chill down because, in my opinion, you are overreacting now.

Andy
Andy
4 years ago
Reply to  Hmm

Static maybe, but simple? I think part of the overreaction, if any, is a form of relief following last year’s hype and subsequent staging flop. Now regarding the actual staging this year, it will come down to how the camera director captures it as there is a few things going on.

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Yeah, probably very relieved. Last year was a bummer as the song itself was so wonderful.

esc1234
esc1234
4 years ago
Reply to  Hmm

the fact that greek fans are passionate doesnt affect the result. You can have your own opinion and let greek fans be enthusiastic. At the end of the day, their broadcaster messed up the previous years the staging or the song. Its the first time since 2013 they are on the right track

Andreas
Andreas
4 years ago
Reply to  Hmm

We over react as always. It’s a bad habit
We have a potential to win but I don’t think that we will

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago

Wow! That is pure POETRY!

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

This is how you combine being artistic with being mainstream! Good job!

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

baby this is BANGING!!!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

This is so beautiful. What a wonderful surprise from Greece! Thank you so much to everyone who worked on this. 🙂

Loin dici
4 years ago

I like all the flower aesthetics and how they persist on the music video theme, and Duska’s performance and presence was convincing. Will sail to the final comfortably.

However, don’t get me wrong, I love the performance, yet there might be a need for Duska to be careful in the bridge. The official rehearsal clip has shown her to hit the big note one key higher and personally the impression was less pleasant than expected, and chances are juries might be, sort of, critical.

nej
nej
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

I heavily disagree. Less pleasant through a badly recorded backround sound video is pretty good by default. Moreover, its enough that she can sustain it.

spidey
spidey
4 years ago

thats so unique and artistic by far , really suprised!

Rob
Rob
4 years ago

I love so much this kind of staging with the props etc. Actually thats exactly what i want to see in eurovision. I was watching your livestreaming guys from the press center and i was smiling all the time during Greece’s performance.
Well done!!! My favourite so far!!!

Ezal
Ezal
4 years ago

So much hype and we got bunch of flowers and dancers. It will qualify ofc, but I’m not a fan.

Sonam
Sonam
4 years ago
Reply to  Ezal

No spaceship, yeah

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

One word: impressive. Greece will slay with the jury voting (top 3-5 at the very least). Clearly contender for the win in SF1. I just hope the staging doesn’t feel “too much” with that flower/egg piece and the 5 backvocalist and dancers. My main worries were her live and the staging. I have no doubts with the first now. The second looks promising. Go Greece.

La Signora
La Signora
4 years ago

Finally Greece has an amazing artist. I wish her the best

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

pleasing both to the eyes and to the ears, THIS is the greece we’ve been missing since 2013. amazing job

Sonam
Sonam
4 years ago

No pain, no gain

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

High Level Aesthetic and WHAT A VOICE. Absolutely stunning and outstabding. Quality at it’s best. Good luck Greece. You deserve a top 3 in the final in my personal opinion.

Skiwalko
4 years ago

Oh. My. God. Greece, you really want to grab all those 12 points, don’t ya? From the small bits I’ve seen it looks so good – stunning vocals, refreshing aesthetic of the video clip, gorgeous costumes and props. I’m so excited!

eNSik
eNSik
4 years ago

She slayed everything! Good Job!