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
Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 For the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin, Ireland selected Marc Roberts to represent the country. His song "Mysterious Woman" won the national final selection, which was held in Waterford on 9 March 1997, and was hosted by Pat Kenny. The eight songs presented were then voted on by members of regional juries. Roberts performed 5th in the running order on the night of the contest. "Mysterious Woman" went on to be placed 2nd with 157 points. To date, this was the last time Ireland's Eurovision entry placed in the top five.