Cyprus’s Fuego is closing in on Israel’s Toy at the top of the betting markets.
According to Eurovision World, Eleni Foureira of Cyprus is now the second favourite to take the Eurovision trophy on Saturday night. If she achieves this, it will be the first win for the island nation. Since debuting in 1981, the country’s best result in the contest is three fifth-place finishes for Anna Vissi in 1982, Hara & Andreas Constantinou in 1997 and Lisa Andreas in 2004.
Some bookies are now offering odds as low as 4/1 on a Cypriot victory. The move on Cyprus comes after a well-received performance by Eleni in the jury show of semi-final one this evening. She will be closing the live semi-final on Tuesday, aiming for a slot in the Grand Final.
Other countries which have found favour in the betting markets over the past week are Norway and Estonia. Moldova have also made a significant leap to enter the top 10 with the bookies.
However, long-time favourite Israel remains out in front. Of course. bookmakers are not always correct, as was clear in 2017 when long-time favourite Francesco Gabbani of Italy fell-short in Kyiv.
The current top five according to Eurovision World at the time of writing are:
- Israel – Netta – Toy
- Cyprus – Eleni Foureira – Fuego
- Norway – Alexander Rybak – That’s How You Write A Song
- Estonia – Elina Nechayeva – La Forza
- France – Madame Monsieur – Mercy
Eleni was internally selected in 2018 by the Cypriot broadcaster to perform the Alex P written track, Fuego. However, she has attempted to represent Greece in Eurovision on several previous occasions. In 2010, she came second in the Greek national final show. In 2013, she starred once again in the national final, performing “Wild Dances” with Ruslana. Most recently, she attempted to represent Greece in 2016 and 2017 but was rejected by the broadcaster.
Whilst Cyprus have never won, and therefore never hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, the country did host the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2008.
You can watch a snippet of Eleni’s rehearsal performance from earlier this week below:
Source: Eurovision World
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest
Cyprus debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. Their best result in the contest came in the form of three fifth place finishes. Their highest points finish came in 2004 when Lisa Andreas performed “Stronger Every Minute” in Istanbul, Turkey. She finished 5th in the final scoring 170 points, which included 12 points from Greece. Cyprus withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 due to financial difficulties but returned again in 2015 where they were represented by John Karagiannis.
News flash: Cyprus has now overtaken Israel, and is now the favourite to win Eurovision 2018! 😀
That’s right and I am so glad – I prefer Cyprus to Israel – Netta is an amazing singer; but I do not like that song – it has a message that gets lost in silliness. Cyprus has a simple song, but the staging, dance, camera work and Eleni herself form a finished performance that looks great. I did not like the official video; but now I wouldn’t mind if she wins.