Shiri Maymon returned home to Israel early this morning to face an enormous support from the Israeli public and Media. Later on she gave a press conference, esctoday.com was there.

Numerous journalists and other members of Israeli media atteneded a press conference Shiri Maymon gave this afternoon at the Sheraton City Tower in Ramat Gan. “This was THE journey of my life so far” said Shiri. “I never knew I can spend 10 days only singing, getting into and out of dresses and putting make-up on and off”. It seems that Shiri and all her team were truely amazed at ending 4th in the final, as they expected a 7th-9th position, similar to the outcome in the contest's semifinal.

Shiri Maymon thanked her whole team including the Israeli broadcaster IBA “that let her take part in this enormous event” as she put it.Shiri also remembered thanking all the Israelis attending the contest in Kyiv and supporting her. Now Shiri will continue working on her first album and would probably return to the cast of presenters of the youth television show Exit.

The 2005 Eurovision Song Contest's broadcast from Kyiv attracted a huge share of Israeli television viewers: The semifinal on Thursday gained an avarge of 22.5% share with a peak of 31.1%. The final on Saturday was even a greater sucess as the show gained an avarage of 39.5% share and a 47.9% share when Shiri Maymon performed. When Shiri was asked today if she sees herself as the reason for this success she refused to take all the credit. “The return of the Kdam-Eurovision (Israel's national final) and the fact that the Eurovision Song Contest itself was truely fabulous at its 50th birthday were the main reasons” said Shiri.