Star Channel, the Greek entertainment channel has announced what it claims to be the results of the top five from last night's Eurovision Song Contest first semi final. After some simple investigation, it seems that the results were taken from a reader reaction on a local Greek contest website. The EBU stated to esctoday.com that “the results will not be revealed before Saturday's final”.
The publication of what it claims to be the results of last night's show seems nothing more than sensationalism to attract interest in Greece. Publishing that Greece won the semi final and the positions puts the competition in danger of tactical voting, and could backfire against their own entry as people may vote tactically to prevent Greece winning and enhancing the chances of their own country.
esctoday.com urges readers not to believe the results and wait for the official announcent from the EBUafter Saturday's final. The results of the semi final are kept secret to prevent tactical voting and ensure the competition remains fair. Star Channel reports the top five from last night's semi final:
- Greece 132
- Russia 122
- Romania 120
- Armenia 111
- Bosnia and Herzegovia 93
UPDATE
Star Channel this evening back-tracked on their claims that Greece won the Eurovision Song Contest semi final last night. They now claim that the news was passed to them by Greek fans from rumours circulating in the press centre in Belgrade and that they have been told by three different delegations that each had won the semi final.
