Swedish singer wins for Greece

The Eurovision song contest was won by Swedish singer Helena Paparizou representing Greece. Malta's Chiara obtained an impressive second placing. The following are excerpts from the international press:

MaltaMedia - Chiara satisfied with Eurovision Song Contest result: "Asked during a press conference whether she would consider participating for a third time in her bid to win the contest, she replied that it's too early to say. Chiara believes that the result she garnered is both excellent and frustrating, having missed the top spot by just on place. Chiara and the Maltese Eurovision Song Contest delegation are expected to arrive back in Malta on a flight from Munich at around 0100CET on Monday."

Canadian Press - Greek artist wins Eurovision song contest: "Helena's personal history echoes the contest's ethos of uniting Europe's diverse people and cultures: she was born and raised in Sweden and still lives there. Nonetheless, at a post-win news conference, she jumped on a table waving the Greek flag. "I am happy that this prize finally goes to Greece . . . I wish to welcome you to Greece next year," she said. But, she added "I think this prize is a big honour for Sweden as well." Other transnational performances were by Vanilla Ninja, from Estonia but representing Switzerland, and by Bosnia-Herzegovina's Feminem, with one of its three singers born in what is now Croatia."

BBC News - Euro-unity and divisions in Kiev: "Maltese balladeer Chiara struck the right note with her soaring voice - sending a collective tingle down the spine of the vast crowd. But it seemed there were no performances which were unengaging, each with their own beguiling charm.. The UK, Malta and Cyprus exchanged goodwill points, while Ireland's eight points to its nearest neighbour saved singer Javine from nul points shame."

Deutsche Welle - Germany Last as Voters "Run and Hide": "This year's Ukrainian candidate, the Greenjolly group, placed only 20th. Its selection to represent the former Soviet republic had sparked controversy, as had its choice of song, "Razom Nas Bahato" (Together We Are Many), the hymn sung by demonstrators against former president Leonid Kuchma's regime in Kiev's Independence Square during last year's "Orange revolution." Greenjolly was largely unknown before the revolution and its last minute choice unleashed an avalanche of criticism of the new government which was accused of manipulating the vote that picked the group.

DotEurovision - Greece wins 2005 Eurovision Song Contest: "The so called ‘Big 4’ countries – the ones that contribute most financially to the EBU and have the largest potential viewing public – ended in the four bottom positions. Germany, France, Spain and the UK failed to garner much interest. According to the current rules of the contest, the big four automatically get a place inb the 2006 final. Their low scores make it easier to name the other ten nations that are through. These are Greece, Malta, Romania, Israel, Latvia, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro, Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Spain, United Kingdom, France and Germany. The others will take part in a semi final."

ABC News - Europeans Under Spell of Eurovision: Most Britons profess themselves too sophisticated to embrace the sort of cheesy Euro-pop that Eurovision celebrates. But some 8 million viewers, in a country of 60 million, tune in every year to watch and, in recent years, to see their country roundly trounced. "The great thing about Eurovision is you can come at it from so many different angles," said John Kennedy O'Connor, a fan since the 1970s and author of the official history of the competition. "There are some people who take it deadly seriously, as if it were a major political contest. Others watch to see how bad it will be. You can enjoy it on so many different levels.".. But that has not lessened the appeal of a competition as fraught with diplomacy, feuding and delicate allegiances as the United Nations. Lebanon, due to compete this year for the first time, pulled out after its national broadcaster refused to show the Israeli entry.