Three hoops. Four clubs. And one song from Eurovision 2018 winner Netta Barzilai. That was the formula for Spain’s Rhythmic Gymnastics team at the 2021 European Championships.
Netta has previously said that her song “Bassa Sababa” uses the Arabic/Hebrew slang words for “Bummer, that’s cool” to recount her personal roller-coaster ride following her newfound fame.
But the women of Spain’s gymnastics team made that ride look smooth and easy as they hurled hoops and clubs into the air, while also spinning, twirling and hitting pirouettes during their three-minute routine. Netta would most definitely be proud!
“Bassa Sababa” was Netta’s first new single after winning Eurovision. Never one for being basic, the accompanying music video let us into Netta’s Willy-Wonka-style world of pink via a video game. Even Nintendo’s Mario would be afraid to level up in this game as the video features a glittery pink rhinoceros charging at a man who left the Israeli singer standing alone at the altar.
Netta has previously declared her love for the animal. Speaking to dpa, she explained why she featured the African animal.
“I looked for an animal that I felt was strong. A rhino has very thick skin. That symbolizes the negativity that glided off my skin, all the negative reactions to which I felt immune.”
“I feel that I was born a rhino – strong, powerful, uncompromising and attacking her hardships.”
The video was shot in the Ukrainian capital Kiev and directed by Roy Raz, who has worked with previous Eurovision artist Anggun (France 2012).
But that’s not the only Eurovision-related performance we got.
Bulgaria’s team performed to the country’s 2007 entry “Voda” from Elitsa and Stoyan, which placed fifth at the 2007 competition.
This year’s European Champions were held in Varna, Bulgaria – the birthplace of Russian Eurovision star Philipp Kirkorov.
Ahead of this year’s event, the “Mood Colour Blue” singer actually paid a visit to the Russian women’s team. He celebrated the fact the competition would take place in his city of birth and paid homage to their impeccable track record.
Russia has won the group competition at five of the six Olympics since the group event debuted at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
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While we’re on the topic of Eurovision colliding with gymnastics, please enjoy this encore performance of American gymnast Jordan Wieber’s floor routine at the 2012 Olympics in London.
What about the Israeli team using Ofra Haza’s Chai during their ball routine?..
Today in a shop i ve heard la teva decisio…it was an old esc song from my youth…it was a surprise…
Netta deserved much more success after ESC, so gutted she didn’t find international success with her follow up singles.
Oh god, not again Kirkorov…
But ‘Bassa Sababa’ literally became a worldwide hit
Kirkorov is only there because of the young girls ….. some voices said this. I can’t confirm if this is true 😉
My sister is actually a gymnastics coach and when we were watching Eurovision 2019 and the song switch, Jackie actually said Dancing Lasha Tumbai was one of her students songs floor exercise music. I also heard “Puppet on a String” (UK 1967) when I saw her in a competition for the first time but it was someone elses floor music. Can’t wait for the Olympics
And figure skating, Silent Storm by Carl Espen (European Championships Sondre Oddvoll Boe 2015 SP). The entire song uncut.
I honestly thought by Voda, you mean Slovenia 2020.
Saaaaame
I got excited for a bit lol
Why? Voda from 2007 is far superior and an amazing song in history of Eurovision!!! People should start getting their head out of just the last 2-3 years… Eurovision is so much more than just the last years.
Kinda aggressive, but true
I also spotted that Estonia’s team had a part of “Uno”, the Little Big’s song. 😉
LOVE THIS!!
I followed rhythmic gymnastics religiously and sometimes I see gymnasts using Eurovision songs in their performances at the world championships. I think I’ve come across a Russian gymnast using Toy before (based on Youtube comments lots of people hated the song because it doesn’t really fit the routine).
It’s always exciting to see Eurovision songs at unexpected places.
At the 2020 European Figure Skating Championships last year, an Israeli skater had an English-language version of “Milim” for one of their programs, though I can’t remember if it was for their short or free program.
Alexei Bychenko, short program. Good choice.