Road to Liverpool: Greece

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Greece.

Victor Vernicos

Victor Vernicos was chosen internally to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest. Victor wrote
and composed the song himself.

Victor Vernicos Jørgensen, born in Athens, is a Greek singer/songwriter of Danish descent. He started making music at a very young age. When he was 8 years old, he sang his own version of the Eurovision song “Heroes”. His first single “Hope it’s heaven” was released in 2021. A year later, the song was followed by the song “Mean“. On 30 January 2023, it was announced that Victor Vernicos was going to be the Greek representant in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Legal action

The internal selection in Greece was quite complicated. Out of 7 shortlisted songs, 3 were chosen for the final selection: the female duo Antonia Kaouri and Maria Maragkou, Melissa Mantzoukis and of course Victor Vernicos. However, Antonia and Maria withdrew. Still, all three acts were awarded points. Melissa Mantzoukis took legal action to this and the way the winner was chosen. The voting system made Victor win, while with a voting system were every jury member would award 1, 2 and 3 points, Melissa would have won. A temporary injunction halting the Greek participation was denied by Greek courts on 6 March, citing the short time period between then and the EBU’s 13 March deadline for entry submissions. Mantzoukis’ lawsuit to be declared the winner and awarded damages is anticipated to be heard in mid-May following the contest.

Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest

Greece first took part in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1974. Marinella‘s “Krassi, thalassa ke t’agori mou” didn’t gain many points, but is still a classic in Greece. The first top-5 score for Greece came in 1977, when Pascalis, Marianna, Robert and Bessy sang “Mathema solfège”. The first time Greece entered the top-3 was in 2001, thanks to the duo Antique and the song “Die for you”. Helena Paparizou, half of the duo Antique, brought the trophy to Greece in 2005 with “My number one”, but also Sakis Rouvas (“Shake it” in 2004) and Kalomira (“Secret combination” in 2008) reached the top-3.

Bookmakers

The bookmakers currently give Greece a 28th place in the betting odds. However, the specified semi final betting odds give a 9th place, which means Greece will head to the final in Liverpool. Let’s hope for the sympathatic singer that this will happen.

The song

And of course, this is the song:

 

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Israel vs other countries: facts and rumours

The Eurovision Song Contest is facing unprecedented controversy over Israel’s participation in the 2026 edition. In recent days, several countries have announced boycott plans or issued threats tied to whether Israel is allowed to compete. Meanwhile, other countries reportedly vowed to withdraw if Israel is banned. Here we fact-check what’s confirmed and what’s rumor, providing official statements and sources for clarity. Background: Why Israel’s Participation Is Under Scrutiny Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza since October 2023 has led to public outcry and calls to suspend Israel from Eurovision. Critics argue that allowing Israel to compete “normalizes” its actions during the conflict. They compare it to Eurovision’s ban on Russia after invading Ukraine. Over the past two years, protests have targeted Israel’s Eurovision entries. Dozens of former contestants (including recent winners) have urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel. In response, the EBU began consulting its members on how to manage geopolitical tensions. A decision on Israel’s 2026 participation expected at its General Assembly in early December 2025 sources: aljazeera.com   jta.org. Ireland and Netherlands: Official Boycott Announcements Ireland – On September 11, 2025, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ released a public statement declaring that “Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if the participation of Israel goes ahead.” RTÉ said it would be -“unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza,”. The broadcaster cites deep concern about “the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza” and denial of media access. RTÉ added that a final decision on Ireland’s participation will be made once the EBU makes its ruling on Israel. source: RTÉ The Netherlands – The next day, on September 12, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced it will boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel is included. In its official statement, AVROTROS said it “can no longer justify Israel’s participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza.” Just as Ireland, the Dutch broadcaster also raised press freedom concerns and even alleged “proven evidence of interference by the Israeli government” in the 2025 contest. Several broadcasters had questioned Israel’s win in the 2025 audience vote, though Israel ultimately finished second. AVROTROS emphasized that Eurovision’s core values of peace and unity are at odds with the situation on the ground. Both Ireland and the Netherlands have made it clear: if Israel participates, they will withdraw. source: AVROTROS Slovenia’s Position: No Eurovision with Israel Slovenia became the first country to explicitly tie its 2026 participation to Israel’s status. In early July 2025, at the EBU General Assembly in London, Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTVSLO warned that if Israel was in Eurovision, “RTVSLO would not participate due to the genocide in Gaza.” This stance was officially confirmed on September 8, when RTV Slovenija announced it will boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates. Slovenia’s communications department stated they are waiting to see if the EBU bars Israel or addresses other member concerns (like voting transparency) before finalizing their decision. Conclusion: Slovenia has officially declared it will not compete if Israel is allowed to participate. source: hr Spain and Iceland: Will They Withdraw? Spain – No official withdrawal confirmation has come from Spain’s broadcaster RTVE yet. However, Spain’s government has taken a firm stand. On September 8, Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun said on TVE’s La Hora de La 1 that radical steps may be necessary if Israel remains in Eurovision. He noted Spain has formally requested Israel’s exclusion. Utrasun warned that if Israel is not expelled, the government would consider “measures”. He stressed that one “cannot normalize Israel’s participation … as if nothing is happening,”. Even Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly urged the EBU to ban Israel. He compared it to how no one objected when Russia was banned after invading Ukraine. Fact-check: It’s true Spain’s leaders are threatening a boycott, but as of now RTVE has not officially pulled out. The push is political. Any final withdrawal would likely need RTVE’s agreement. Source: El Mundo Iceland – Similarly, Iceland has signaled it “could” withdraw, but hasn’t officially done so. The president of Iceland’s broadcaster RÚV, Stefán Jón Hafstein, wrote an op-ed on July 1, 2025 calling for Israel’s expulsion from Eurovision. He argued Eurovision must apply the same moral standard to Gaza as it did to Ukraine. Hafstein even suggested Israeli artists could compete under a neutral flag rather than represent the state. Later, RÚV’s Director General signaled that if the EBU doesn’t heed the growing calls (from “Spain and Slovenia and others”), it “will call for reactions from these broadcasters.” In other words, if Israel isn’t excluded, Iceland (among others) may boycott as a reaction. In summary: Iceland’s broadcaster has strongly advocated for banning Israel and indicated they might pull out if Israel stays. No final withdrawal decision has been published yet. source: RÙV Rumor vs Reality: Germany, Italy & Others Backing Israel On the other side, rumors emerged that several major countries would boycott Eurovision if Israel is banned. Notably, Germany and Italy, two of Eurovision’s biggest financial contributors, were said to have privately warned the EBU in July that if Israel’s broadcaster KAN is expelled without “clear legal grounds,” they would withdraw in protest. According to a report on Israeli Channel 12 (via former Israeli delegation member Amir Alon), Germany and Italy support Israel’s continued participation and allegedly “threatened to leave the contest as well” if KAN were kicked out. The same report suggested Switzerland and Austria also side with Israel’s inclusion. If it came to an EBU vote, Greece, Azerbaijan, and Cyprus would likely “defend Israel’s right to take part.” Fact-check: These claims have not been officially confirmed by the broadcasters in question. They originated from Israeli media and anonymous sources. Germany’s broadcaster (ARD/SWR) responded to the story by publicly affirming Israel’s rightful place in Eurovision. The broadcasters are noting KAN meets EBU’s rules and has been a member since 1957. The German statement emphasized Eurovision’s values of diversity and that it’s a contest between broadcasters, not governments.

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Martijn

Israel vs other countries: facts and rumours

The Eurovision Song Contest is facing unprecedented controversy over Israel’s participation in the 2026 edition. In recent days, several countries have announced boycott plans or issued threats tied to whether Israel is allowed to compete. Meanwhile, other countries reportedly vowed to withdraw if Israel is banned. Here we fact-check what’s confirmed and what’s rumor, providing official statements and sources for clarity. Background: Why Israel’s Participation Is Under Scrutiny Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza since October 2023 has led to public outcry and calls to suspend Israel from Eurovision. Critics argue that allowing Israel to compete “normalizes” its actions during the conflict. They compare it to Eurovision’s ban on Russia after invading Ukraine. Over the past two years, protests have targeted Israel’s Eurovision entries. Dozens of former contestants (including recent winners) have urged the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to exclude Israel. In response, the EBU began consulting its members on how to manage geopolitical tensions. A decision on Israel’s 2026 participation expected at its General Assembly in early December 2025 sources: aljazeera.com   jta.org. Ireland and Netherlands: Official Boycott Announcements Ireland – On September 11, 2025, Ireland’s national broadcaster RTÉ released a public statement declaring that “Ireland will not take part in the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest if the participation of Israel goes ahead.” RTÉ said it would be -“unconscionable given the ongoing and appalling loss of lives in Gaza,”. The broadcaster cites deep concern about “the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza” and denial of media access. RTÉ added that a final decision on Ireland’s participation will be made once the EBU makes its ruling on Israel. source: RTÉ The Netherlands – The next day, on September 12, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced it will boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel is included. In its official statement, AVROTROS said it “can no longer justify Israel’s participation in the current situation, given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza.” Just as Ireland, the Dutch broadcaster also raised press freedom concerns and even alleged “proven evidence of interference by the Israeli government” in the 2025 contest. Several broadcasters had questioned Israel’s win in the 2025 audience vote, though Israel ultimately finished second. AVROTROS emphasized that Eurovision’s core values of peace and unity are at odds with the situation on the ground. Both Ireland and the Netherlands have made it clear: if Israel participates, they will withdraw. source: AVROTROS Slovenia’s Position: No Eurovision with Israel Slovenia became the first country to explicitly tie its 2026 participation to Israel’s status. In early July 2025, at the EBU General Assembly in London, Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTVSLO warned that if Israel was in Eurovision, “RTVSLO would not participate due to the genocide in Gaza.” This stance was officially confirmed on September 8, when RTV Slovenija announced it will boycott Eurovision 2026 if Israel participates. Slovenia’s communications department stated they are waiting to see if the EBU bars Israel or addresses other member concerns (like voting transparency) before finalizing their decision. Conclusion: Slovenia has officially declared it will not compete if Israel is allowed to participate. source: hr Spain and Iceland: Will They Withdraw? Spain – No official withdrawal confirmation has come from Spain’s broadcaster RTVE yet. However, Spain’s government has taken a firm stand. On September 8, Spanish Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun said on TVE’s La Hora de La 1 that radical steps may be necessary if Israel remains in Eurovision. He noted Spain has formally requested Israel’s exclusion. Utrasun warned that if Israel is not expelled, the government would consider “measures”. He stressed that one “cannot normalize Israel’s participation … as if nothing is happening,”. Even Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has publicly urged the EBU to ban Israel. He compared it to how no one objected when Russia was banned after invading Ukraine. Fact-check: It’s true Spain’s leaders are threatening a boycott, but as of now RTVE has not officially pulled out. The push is political. Any final withdrawal would likely need RTVE’s agreement. Source: El Mundo Iceland – Similarly, Iceland has signaled it “could” withdraw, but hasn’t officially done so. The president of Iceland’s broadcaster RÚV, Stefán Jón Hafstein, wrote an op-ed on July 1, 2025 calling for Israel’s expulsion from Eurovision. He argued Eurovision must apply the same moral standard to Gaza as it did to Ukraine. Hafstein even suggested Israeli artists could compete under a neutral flag rather than represent the state. Later, RÚV’s Director General signaled that if the EBU doesn’t heed the growing calls (from “Spain and Slovenia and others”), it “will call for reactions from these broadcasters.” In other words, if Israel isn’t excluded, Iceland (among others) may boycott as a reaction. In summary: Iceland’s broadcaster has strongly advocated for banning Israel and indicated they might pull out if Israel stays. No final withdrawal decision has been published yet. source: RÙV Rumor vs Reality: Germany, Italy & Others Backing Israel On the other side, rumors emerged that several major countries would boycott Eurovision if Israel is banned. Notably, Germany and Italy, two of Eurovision’s biggest financial contributors, were said to have privately warned the EBU in July that if Israel’s broadcaster KAN is expelled without “clear legal grounds,” they would withdraw in protest. According to a report on Israeli Channel 12 (via former Israeli delegation member Amir Alon), Germany and Italy support Israel’s continued participation and allegedly “threatened to leave the contest as well” if KAN were kicked out. The same report suggested Switzerland and Austria also side with Israel’s inclusion. If it came to an EBU vote, Greece, Azerbaijan, and Cyprus would likely “defend Israel’s right to take part.” Fact-check: These claims have not been officially confirmed by the broadcasters in question. They originated from Israeli media and anonymous sources. Germany’s broadcaster (ARD/SWR) responded to the story by publicly affirming Israel’s rightful place in Eurovision. The broadcasters are noting KAN meets EBU’s rules and has been a member since 1957. The German statement emphasized Eurovision’s values of diversity and that it’s a contest between broadcasters, not governments.

Read More »
Follow Us: