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
Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 "Fiumi di parole" received 114 points, placing 4th in a field of 25. Italy withdrew from the contest after this entry, and did not return until 2011. Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 Italy returned to the Eurovision Song Contest at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997, after withdrawing in 1994. The Italian entry was "Fiumi di parole", performed by Jalisse. The Italian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1997, held in Dublin, Ireland, was the winner of the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy. The winner was Jalisse with the song "Fiumi di parole" (River of words), composed by Fabio