Eurovision: in preparation for Malmö 2013 (III)

Now I will talk about two neighbours not only geographically but also in terms of votes.

GREECE AND KOZA MOSTRA FEAT. AGATHONAS IAKOVIDIS

It's impossible to talk about Eurovision without to talk about one of the most successful countries. Since the introduction of the semi-finals, Greece always have qualified for the final and became in the TOP10. Well... until last year when Greece break its record and finished in the 17th place. But I think that this year Greece will return to the TOP10 and, who knows?, to the TOP5.
First of all, this year Greec showed to us that, despite having serious financial problems and with a tight budget, it's possible to do a great festival and present musics with a quality above the average.
This was the first year that the greek selection was made with an agreement with a private channel. And beside the goods songs in competition, the show had also the presence of great artists. Some previous winners of the Eurovision Song Contest - Elena Paparizou, Vicky Leandros, Dima Bilan, Ruslana, Alexander Rybak and Marija Serifovic - , and another famous singers including Eleftheria Eleftheriou (representative of Greece last year) and Ivi Adamou (representative of Cyprus, also laste year).
As for the songs in competition, for me the winner and the 2nd ranked songs were the best ones. I think that Greece understood that the europeans, especially the juries, are saturated of the greek POP, and presented only songs in a different music style than the usual.
Now talking about the winner. It's a very original and comic song, but unlike others that went to the festival in the past, this music is more energetic and less ridiculous, and easier to appeal to juries.
I can foresee another success among the public who may be accompanied by juries.


CYPRUS AND DESPINA OLYMPIOU

The Cyprus's last year song was a great sucess between the OGAE's and the bookmakers. But in the contest was below the desired. I think that there was to much optimism around the Ivi Adamou's song. This year, this Mediterranean island did a different selection process.
Before the final annoucement by the cypriote there were rumours around many artists names to represent Cyprus. Finally, on 1st February, the CyBC revelead that Despina Olympiou was the chosen and in 14th February was revelead the song: a ballad called "An Me Thimase". It's an interesting greek ballad. Despina has a good voice and it's obvious that she has many experience. But, this song certainly won't do much furor among the public. It's a ballad very simple and without anything that can appeal to the audience. There isn't any high moment in the song.
Cyprus doesn't usually have much success in this competition, and this year will not have in the same semifinal its great partner in votes: Greece.
Among the countries that tend to give more points to Cyprus will vote in the same semifinal where it will compete only the United Kingdom. 
The fate of Cyprus depends on how juries will classify its music, because from the public the prospects are not encouraging at all.


Good luck to both countries!!!