Eurovision Song Contest 2006 Hallelujah" was the first ever hard rock song to win the contest, since Eurovision is normally associated with softer pop music and schlager. This was Finland's first victory in Eurovision after waiting forty-five years. It is also noted that they scored the same amount of points in the semi-final and the grand final. The hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens were Greek singer Sakis Rouvas, the Greek representative at Eurovision in 2004 and 2009, and the Greek American television presenter and actress, Maria Menounos. In the semi-final, both the hosts sang Katrina and the Waves' contest-winning "Love Shine
Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 performed 20th at the 1997 Contest, following Hungary and preceding Denmark. After the voting concluded, Russia scored 33 points and placed 15th. The Russian conductor at the contest was a Swedish musician and bass guitarist Rutger Gunnarsson. The voting spokesperson for Russia was Arina Sharapova. Points awarded by the Russian jury: Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 Russia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997] in Dublin, Ireland. The Russian entry was selected internally by the Russian broadcaster Russian Public Television (ORT). Alla Pugacheva represented Russia with the song "Primadonna", which placed 15th and scored 33 points at the