Picture credits: Armenian Public Broadcaster; Westpress Kaliningrad (Wikimedia Commons); Spotify Klava Koka

Eurovision 1995 alumnus Philipp Kirkorov has told news agency RIA Novosti that the Dream Team — a collective of Greek and Russian producers including Dimitris Kontopoulos — is behind an entry for Eurovision 2022.

Speaking to RIA Novosti, Kirkorov revealed that he is preparing an artist to represent a country at the contest in Turin. However, the Varna-born singer did not specify which country. 

“The track is practically ready,” he said. “The artist is ready — it might be a ‘he’ or a ‘she’. I think that my choice will not disappoint you, and you will be pleasantly surprised.”

He promised that all the details to be revealed in the next two weeks. 

The Dream Team is a regular at Eurovision, having produced several successful song contest entries since 2007. Most recently, they dreamed up Natalia Gordienko’s “Sugar” and Sergey Lazarev’s two attempts “You Are The Only One” and “Scream”. 

Will Klava Koka represent Russia with a Dream Team song?

In recent weeks, popular Russian songstress Klava Koka travelled to Greece and attended MAD Walk. Next to that, she posted on her Instagram Stories that she was recording a song in a local studio. Russian Eurovision fans noted that the studio – where the “Покинула чат”-hitmaker took a selfie – looked extremely similar to Dimitris Kontopoulos’ Athens studio. 

Selecting Klava would fit a pattern we have seen from VGTRK – the broadcaster responsible for the Russian entry every other year. Since 2014, this broadcaster has solely relied on the Dream Team to write and produce its entries.

Klava Koka would be a breath of fresh air for Russia. The Yekaterinburg-born artist first attracted fame taking part in the local analogue to X Factor in 2015. However, her audition there was unsuccessful. Nevertheless, she managed to turn the tables for herself, evolving from a shy country singer to a shining pop star, signing with the popular Black Star label. 

In 2020, she scored a number-one hit single with Niletto with the song “Краш”. Next to that, Klava is extremely popular on TikTok, having almost nine million followers there. 

Or might Saro from Armenia still have a chance? 

During the Summer, Armenian singer Saro won the nineteenth edition of New Wave. The Eurovision 2019 backing singer was named as a potential song contest entry after posing backstage with Kirkorov after his victory, in a similar fashion to DoReDos in 2017. Speaking to Armenian media, Saro said that Kirkorov had proposed that he go to Eurovision.

However, the Armenian broadcaster seems less receptive of Dream Team entries than its neighbours. Next to that, and unlike Klava, Saro has seemingly not visited Dimitris Kontopoulos’ studio or met much with Kirkorov ever since the competition in Sochi. Nevertheless, Saro duetted with Kirkorov in September following the latter’s visit to Yerevan. 

But what about Alexander Panayotov?

The Voice of Russia 2015 runner-up Alexander Panayotov has tried to represent Russia almost every single year since the mid-2000s. A few times, he came close, finishing second behind Dima Bilan in 2008 and fourth behind LOBODA in Ukraine’s election in 2009. 

After Eurovision 2021 ended, Panayotov took to Instagram and shared a picture of Måneskin. He wrote in the caption: “Viva Italia! See you in Turin.”

During New Wave, Alexander was spotted taking pictures with most of the Dream Team members backstage. Ine one pic he even appeared together with Kirkorov,  Kontopoulos and Ilias Kokotos. Panayotov is a regular face on VGTRK’s main channel Russia-1, which means that the broadcaster might be fond of seeing him go.

 
 
 
 
 
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Een bericht gedeeld door Евровидение по-русски (@eurovision.rus)

 

Are you excited to hear the next Dream Team entry? Who do you think it will be? And what country do you think they will represent? 

86 Comments
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George
George
1 year ago

I am Greek and I am not a big fan of the dream team. 8×12 televote points from countries in the semi but finished last in some of those countries in the final lol. And then ridiculous jury 12 points from Bulgaria and Russia and 10 from our(the Greek) kirkorov- Jury as every year. I am sick of it. It might even be possible that 90% of points Moldova received last year in the semi and Final were bought. That makes me so sad.

Last edited 1 year ago by George
Xxx
Xxx
1 year ago

More like Nightmare Team. GET A JOB. STAY AWAY FROM HER.

James
James
1 year ago

I’d be up for an Armenian Dream team entry minus kirkorov

kir
kir
1 year ago

Perhaps the EBU should consider the case of Moldova gaining astounding 8 out-of-nowhere televoting douze-points in the 2021 SF sufficient enough to ban Mr. Kirkorov from entering the contest for good. Please

Luc
Luc
1 year ago
Reply to  kir

I agree. Better late than never.

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
1 year ago

No, thanks. We have had too much.

Simona
Simona
1 year ago

Dima must comeback and win once again

Luc
Luc
1 year ago

Why can’t certain countries/broadcasters move on from the so-called “dream team?” Their songs are dated and they’re bastardizing themselves into oblivion

Last edited 1 year ago by Luc
Grftn
Grftn
1 year ago

This so-called « dream team » doesn’t make anybody dream anymore lol. Their vision of ESC is so outdated.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

“Dream Team” lol outdated late 00s sugar trash incoming….Kirkorov is such a creepy dude too which doesn’t help.

Can’t understand why some countries keep approaching him and his “dream team” apart from the obligatory 12 points from Russia and Bulgaria of course.

Max
Max
1 year ago

Again the Dream Team??? Why???

Rob
Rob
1 year ago

I have a strong feeling that russia will win this year!

Luc
Luc
1 year ago
Reply to  Rob

I didn’t get why this comment got downvoted, it’s obvious it’s bait

PP77
PP77
1 year ago

Dream team, so many times at Eurovision without victory.

Im so fab
Im so fab
1 year ago

Jesus… Not again.

Rantik
Rantik
1 year ago

I absolutely don’t like what Kirkorov is doing, but Klava is a really good choice, she is charismatic and open-minded, at least it won’t be a boring banal ballad from the 90s

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

I´m totally sick of this dreamteam….

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

i think it’s gonna be either Klava or Panayotov, whoever Kirkorov wants to sponsor.
It is very disappointing that one of Russia’s channels continues to use Kirkorov as the decision-maker for their entries and they ignore Russian songwriters and producers to be involved. I’m kinda sick of listening to the same songs and seeing the same team on stage. Just give the chance to other teams and artists. Kirkorov’s money can’t buy art (it can buy votes though).

Luc
Luc
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

Indeed! The Russian scene is huge, interesting and diverse, and it’s sad that no one’s getting a shot because their broadcasters are relying in some foreign and out-of-touch team

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago

Eesti Laul has started! Up to now I like Stefan’s song the most!

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

Little Big 🙁

Luc
Luc
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

They chose not to come back (I would’ve loved them to have done so, though), move on bro

Last edited 1 year ago by Luc
Roelof M
Roelof M
1 year ago

I’ll be extremely upset if they end up representing Russia with another cookie-cutter boring pop song after the much needed breath of fresh air from Manizha. Normally I’d excuse them by saying that they always bring fantastic staging to the contest but Moldova’s staging this year was also super lacklustre so I don’t have high hopes.

Xaxaxa
Xaxaxa
1 year ago

Omg Russia has so strong, diverse and original music scene and we must listen boring and outdated Kirkorovs songs every year? It was so fresh with Little Big and Manizha, they have such great artists with contemporary music like Agunda, Gunwest or Feduk… Show us this music. Nobody wants Kirkorov more!!!

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Xaxaxa

I absolutely agree with you !

Stanislav
Stanislav
1 year ago

God save my country from Kirkorov!!! Let him take care of his native Bulgaria. Russia has a lot of talented performers! Here are some of them…

Costa Lacosta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pwHjWP6th0
Cream Soda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w4gQPf7fws&t=53s
Drummatix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FikZVa2wt2U
Erika Lundmoyen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6dLAFUMhJQ
Going Deeper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbdCKZOCEaQ
POLNALYUBVI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76BmuIf0duw
Zivert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wy263JRAkI
Zventa Svetana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR9halss9M0

NO KIRKOROV and DREAM TEAM! We tired!!!

Last edited 1 year ago by Stanislav
Bill
Bill
1 year ago

Noo this is a nightmare

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

So does this mean There’s a large chance of Little Big coming back, unless the dream team is for a different country?

Ellie
Ellie
1 year ago

Surprised? Maybe. Pleasantly? Not quite the word I’d use.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago

This year’s open selection was the best thing to come out of Russia since forever. Fresh, current, diverse. Why can’t they just stick to that? Yet here they are coming back to creepy Kirkorov with predictable songs. I really hope it’s not Russia he’s molesting this time.

Tom
Tom
1 year ago
Reply to  Jamie

It was only bc of cancelation of Little Big – i mean they refused ESC

esc_fl
esc_fl
1 year ago

Can’t wait for the basic or nonsensical English lyrics. I guess it’ll most likely be Greece (though they already revealed their internal selection participants), Russia, or Moldova. Which is a shame because I was hoping they’d send something in their languages. I love “O Mie,” “Oniro Mou,” “Mamo,” and of course Manizha XD

Last edited 1 year ago by esc_fl
Milan
Milan
1 year ago

Disaster – into what a flea market this contest has turned. Now it’s news that “there is an entry”, but it’s less and less relevant for which country.

Last edited 1 year ago by Milan
musica
musica
1 year ago

Oh dear God, please no. They’re the kings of making music without any emotional backbone or integrity behind it.

coca_Cola
coca_Cola
1 year ago

Despite not being a big fan of their entries, I can’t ignore that they are very successful

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago

Unpopular opinion: I hope it is Sergey Lazarev.

We need him to get 3rd for the 3rd time. It has also been 3 years since 2019.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

It’s been 3 years and you’re still thirsting. Russia has way more talented and original artists than that Kirkorov’s personal stud.

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago
Reply to  Jamie

I don’t want him to return because of his music, but because of the memes.

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

Because I can’t edit my comment: I thought the “3rd 3rd place after 3 years ” made it obvious that the memes were my only reason for Sergey’s return, but apparently it slipped through the fingers of certain Wiwibloggs readers.

Last edited 1 year ago by GojoSatoru
esc_fl
esc_fl
1 year ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

If in the hopefully unlikely event he comes back, it better be in Russian. His Russian versions of both his Eurovision entries were in my opinion much better!

Stanislav
Stanislav
1 year ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

If only without Kirkorov and “DreamTeam”

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

no we don’t need him, his entries were recycled songs that focused too much on staging. Eurovision has changed. He got his chance twice, time for new artists to shine.

Bella
Bella
1 year ago

Let me guess: there will be a key change at the 2 minute mark, and the song will have a corny title like “Hero”, “Warrior”, “Butterfly”, “Rainbow”, “Shine”, etc. These guys will never quit, it’s annoying.

Chris
Chris
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

And do not forget the overproduced staging that has nothing to do with the song like sergey lazarev’s entries. Of course the lyrics will be cliche and boring, the word ”love” will be repeated 10 times, while they will try to claim that the song has a very nice meaning.

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
1 year ago

A difficult choice for me… I think instead of Dream Team, there will be Zivert or Cream Soda

Last edited 1 year ago by Hyunwoo
Cookie Nation
Cookie Nation
1 year ago
Reply to  Hyunwoo

That would be super awesome. Cream Soda is winning material, even more than Little Big. Their songs and specially their visuals are amazing and super distinctive.

Mil
Mil
1 year ago

It’s Spain, trust my words

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago
Reply to  Mil

They’re cancelling benidorm fest to roll the red carpet for the dream team?

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Mil

We’ve got ourselves a troll in the comment section.

Mil
Mil
1 year ago
Reply to  Mil

No wait, i mean kontopoulos wrote a song for Jorge Gonzalez for benidorm! Fokas has already worked with Spain (2019) so it’s quite possible…

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Mil

No, in Spain are only allowed songs in native language,

Nils
Nils
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr X

But does it have to be fully in Spanish? Or could a potential Dream Team entry just come up with some ‘la vida loca’ nonsense in the chorus of an otherwise English-language song and still pass through?

Last edited 1 year ago by Nils
Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
1 year ago

If the country represented isn’t Moldova, I’ll be shocked.

DripDrop
DripDrop
1 year ago

It won’t be Moldova lol. It’ll be 100% Russia AND 90% Armenia

Bombalurina
Bombalurina
1 year ago

Take your hands off Armenia and let the girl have the second chance

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Bombalurina

The article stated that Armenia hasn’t been receptive to the dream team so we could write that off.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Armenia broadcaster knows what’s up and good for them for not bowing down to Kirkorov and his shady ways. Not surprised Moldova is the only country that is willing to be manipulated by Kirkorov’s gang.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

Yes, Moldova is even the hottest candidate…

Polegend Godgarina
1 year ago

we won’t be streaming

JvdK
JvdK
1 year ago

Yess that means Kirkorov memes again this year!

Erasmus
Erasmus
1 year ago

Well, can’t wait for Russia next year when this broadcaster won’t be in charge!:)

Ana
Ana
1 year ago

What is Kirkorov wearing? Like seriously. What on earth is that?

Alo
Alo
1 year ago

Nightmare team maybe

finnished
finnished
1 year ago

Russia has an amazing music scene yet they rely on Kirkorov…

My personal choice for Russia would be Zivert!

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago
Reply to  finnished

Why? Isn’t Kirkorov a respected name in the Russian music history? He’s a maestro – no wonder he gets relied on in Russian music.

Ashton
Ashton
1 year ago

a maestro of what, winning a rigged selection then coming 17th in the contest that he was selected for? or of continually sending dated music to the contest

Kaitlin
Kaitlin
1 year ago
Reply to  Ashton

having(one of) the worst GF result(s) for his country?

Polegend Godgarina
1 year ago

a maestro more like a disastro if y’all wanna use italian words

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago

He’s a maestro of the last 3 decades maybe.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

he is a joke to most, if he didn’t have the power he has (thanks to Alla) and the money, he would be nothing.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

But not really outside the Eurovision scene..

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
1 year ago
Reply to  finnished

I hope so!

Zhenya
Zhenya
1 year ago
Reply to  finnished

My choice would be Zivert, too. But she’ll be touring in Germany by the time Eurovision takes place. Such a pity!

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  finnished

Zivert could be very interesting…

Ashton
Ashton
1 year ago

ugh

Ashton
Ashton
1 year ago
Reply to  Ashton

if it’s one these three, I hope that its Klava tbh

Leo
Leo
1 year ago

Oh no!

Rasmus Bording Irlind
Rasmus Bording Irlind
1 year ago

i have mixed feelings here, while the dream team have produced some incredible entries (sugar, shady lady, you’re the only one) 2021’s top ranking entries were mostly composed by the artists themselves, manizha included

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago

Sugar was not incredible, mediocre at best.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago
Reply to  Jamie

For me it was really horrible even worse than the crap from Cyprus

Nils
Nils
1 year ago
Reply to  Mr X

Yep. At least in the amateurish way Natalia performed it.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

Sugar and Only one were far from incredible. Russia 2016 was saved by the innovative staging. Sugar was a meme paradise because of Natalia + the creepy relationship with Kirkorov. No one remembers these songs apart from the hardcore fans. They did not become hits.

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

thats a very pleasant development

IceDragon
1 year ago

Hopefully it’s Alexander Panayotov if only because that way the Dream Team won’t ruin another country’s entry.

Polegend Godgarina
1 year ago
Reply to  IceDragon

that alexander pannedyotov guy has been rumored since like 2015 and he still hasn’t happened

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

lord help us