Eleni Foureira gave Cyprus their best ever Eurovision Song Contest finish this year in Lisbon as Fuego took the silver medal position. Despite CyBC’s recent announcement that they will no longer take part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the Cypriot broadcaster is undoubtedly keen to continue their Eurovision momentum. Thus, according to esctoday.com, CyBC have confirmed their participation in the 2019 contest!
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest
Cyprus made their Eurovision Song Contest debut 37 years ago, back in 1981. The island nation has participated in every contest since, with the exception of 1988, 2001 and 2014. Prior to Eleni’s record-breaking second-place finish last month, Cyprus’ best results had come in the form of three fifth place finishes. These came courtesy of Anna Vissi’s Mono i agapi in 1982, Hara & Andreas Constantinou’s Mana mou in 1997 and Lisa Andreas’ Stronger Every Minute in 2004.
A struggle to adapt to the semi-final format
While Cyprus secured seven top 11 finishes in the 1990s, the nation’s form dipped as we entered the semi-final era of the Eurovision Song Contest. Cyprus failed to qualify in six out of eight occasions between 2006 and 2013. CyBC cited the ongoing financial crisis and budgeting restrictions as their reasoning for withdrawal in 2014, although the nation’s poor Eurovision form was surely not a help.
Four finals in a row
However, Cyprus has returned with a bang. Since their return in 2015, the island has qualified for the grand final every single time. Prior to this run of form, Cyprus had never managed to qualify from a semi-final in two consecutive contests. Now, Eleni Foureira has sent this Cypriot momentum to a new peak with a national record second-place finish. Cyprus may be the nation with the most Eurovision appearances yet to secure a victory, but perhaps that victory could be just around the corner?
Are you pleased that Cyprus will be returning to the contest next year? Who would you like to see follow in Eleni Foureira’s footsteps? Let us know @ESCXTRA!
