The Cypriot final will be starting in a few minutes. Ten acts will be competing tonight for the honour to represent Cyprus in the next Eurovision Song Contest and the winner will be selected 100% by televoting.

WEBCAST – Cyprus: RIKSAT Live (available worldwide – Real Player needed) click here!

WEB RADIO – Cyprus: LGR (UK) 103.3FM Live (available worldwide) click here!

The Cypriot final will be starting in a few minutes. Ten acts will be competing tonight for the honour to represent Cyprus in the next Eurovision Song Contest and the winner will be selected 100% by televoting.

The show

The show will be hosted by actors Charis Kkolos and Maria Michail. Sarbel, top ten finalist for Greece in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, will be a special guest on the show where he will perform two songs.Ten acts will be competing tonight and the winner will be selected by televoting.

Webcast and satellite information

The show will be broadcast live on RIK1, RIKSAT and Third Radio Program.
Live streaming will be provided here (Real Player required). The show will also be streamed live in the UK on LGR 103,3 FM here.http://www.lgr.co.uk/

http://www.cybc.com.cy/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=170

The participants
1.Tefkros Neocleous – Mary
2.Christina Metaxa- Firefly
3.Marlain and the Diesel sisters- Mr (Do Right) One night stand
4.Marianne Georgiou- Heartbeat
5.Alexandros Panayi – There is love
6. Zelis Senol (Mr Zel)- I'm gonna break up
7.Pieros Kezos- Βleed for you
8.Christiana Theokli, Kostantina Georgiou and Andreas Christoforou – Moving on
9.Katerina (Kat) Neocleous- I believe
10.Gore Melian- I wanna thank you

And the show has started with Charis and Maria dancing and it is time to see last year's winner Dima Bilan performing Believe in Belgrade.

1. Tefkros Neocleous- Mary

Tefkros took part last year as a backing singer and dancer with Evdokia Kadi and now he is trying again with a rock power ballad of his own. He is also participating as a lyricist for I'm gonna break up with you performed by Zel.

Tefkros performs alone, dressed in black leather. He is accompanied by a four piece rock band and a feamle dancer behind a transparent screen who finger paints. The performance is correct and touching and ends with the dancer applying paint on Tefkros face.

2.Christina Metaxa- Firefly

Christina is only 16 years old and mostly known as the sister of Nikolas Metaxas, runner up of last year's Cypriot final and the Greek edition of the X-Fctor. Christina, dressed in a long silver gray gown, unbecoming for her age, and she is holding a lighted bulb in her left hand (think Slovenia 2007). She seems to be struggling with the vocals in this sweet, slow ballad which picks up speed as it progresses but not enough.

3.Marlain and the Diesel sisters- Mr (Do Right) One night stand

A very powerful Marlain for next, she represented Cyprus in 1999, tried again last year and this year she returns with the Diesel sisters and a song of her own. Marlain is passionate and correct, in fact one of her best performances. The four ladies, clad in black, interact well together and the result is authentically rock.

4.Marianne Georgiou- Heartbeat

An impressive, ethnic intro for Heartbeat which makes you look up and watch. But unfortunately, although the song has potential and is well choreographed with a full ballet, Marianne does not rise to the ocassion and is mostly off tune and looks awkward on stage.

5. Alex Panayi – There is love

Alex stands all alone on stage and performs his soulfull, touching ballad to perfection. There is love is about Alex's mother who is in the last stages of Alzheimer's. The song is simple and impressive but it could use a slightly different arrangement.

6. Zelis Senol (Mr Zel)- I'm gonna break up
The first ever Turkish Cypriot contestant now on stage, Mr Zel. A theatrical, jazzy song with Zel starting off in a black silk tuxedo and top hat. She performs Cabaret style, perfectly correct at all times although she is actively involved in the choreography with one more male dancer. And off come the trousers, followed by the jacket and there is Zel finishing her performance in a sexy cabaret dress and intricate hairdo.

7.Pieros Kezos- Βleed for you

The song is exactly as Pieros described it in a previous interview with us, dark, weird and sexy. An electronic song, accentuated by Pieros' husky vocals makes an interesting choice. Two, half naked male dancers on each side, nailed, it seems to the stage floor, present an original choreography by Fotis Nicolaou (Olympic Games 2004, JESC 2008).

8.Christiana Theokli, Kostantina Georgiou and Andreas Christoforou – Moving on

A youthful, cheerful ensemble in white on stage now. The song starts off as a Greek pop song in English, a bit of pop, a bit of rock, a bit of everything in fact. The vocals are weak mostly but the song is cheerful and happy.

9.Katerina (Kat) Neocleous- I believe

Another ballad now by Kat. Katerina, who lives and works in London, has written and penned the song herself. It is a powerful ballad and kat delivers it very well. What the song lacks, in our humble opinion, is a distinctive chorus which would make it more memorable at first hearing.

10. Gore Melian – I wanna thank you

An RnB ballad for next by young Gore. Gore starts off on a throne like construction, covered in red cloth under which come the two dancers who accompany him throughout the entire performance. Gore does a very good job performing his contemporary composition which suits his voice and vice versa.

And the winner is Christina Metaxa with Firefly