Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004

Eurovision Song Contest 2004

Country|  Turkey
National selection
Selection process| Artist: Internal selection
Song: 26\. Eurovision Şarkı Yarışması Türkiye Finali
Selection date(s)| Artist: 2 September 2003
Song: 24 January 2004
Selected entrant| Athena
Selected song| "For Real"
Selected songwriter(s)|

* Gökhan Özoğuz
* Hakan Özoğuz

Finals performance
Final result| 4th, 195 points
Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest
| ◄2003 • | 2004 | • 2005►

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Turkey participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "For Real" written by Gökhan Özoğuz and Hakan Özoğuz. The song was performed by the band Athena, which was internally selected by the Turkish broadcaster Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu (TRT) to represent the nation at the 2004 contest. In addition to participating in the contest, TRT also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Istanbul after winning the competition in 2003 with the song "Everyway That I Can" performed by Sertab Erener. The announcement of Athena as the Turkish representative occurred on 2 September 2003, while their song was selected through the national final 26\. Eurovision Şarkı Yarışması Türkiye Finali. Three songs were presented to the public between 21 and 24 January 2004 and the winning song, "For Real", was selected entirely by a public televote and announced on 24 January during the TRT 1 show Sayısal Gece.

As the host country, Turkey qualified to compete directly in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Performing in position 22 during the final, Turkey placed fourth out of the 24 participating countries with 195 points.

## Background[edit]

Main article: Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2004 contest, Turkey had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 25 times since its first entry in 1975.[1] Turkey missed the 1979 contest because Arab countries pressured the Turkish government to withdraw from the contest because of the dispute over the Status of Jerusalem and 1994 contest due to a poor average score from the preceding contests, which ultimately led to relegation. Turkey had won the contest once: in 2003 with the song "Everyway That I Can" performed by Sertab Erener. The country's least successful result was in 1987 when it placed 22nd (last) with the song "Şarkım Sevgi Üstüne" by Seyyal Taner and Lokomotif, receiving 0 points in total.

The Turkish national broadcaster, Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu (TRT), broadcasts the event within Turkey and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. Since the nation's debut at the contest in 1975, the broadcaster selected their representative through a national final with the exception of 1980 when the artist was internally selected. In order to select the Turkish representative at the 2004 contest, TRT opted for the same system used in 1980 which involved a national final being organised to select the song for an internally selected artist.[2]

## Before Eurovision[edit]

### Artist selection[edit]

Gökhan Özoğuz (pictured in 2012), lead singer of the band Athena which was internally selected to represent Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004

On 2 September 2003, TRT announced that they had internally selected the band Athena to represent Turkey in Istanbul. It was also announced that a national final would be held to select the song they would perform at the contest.[3]

### 26\. Eurovision Şarkı Yarışması Türkiye Finali[edit]

Three songs, all written by members of Athena Gökhan Özoğuz and Hakan Özoğuz, were submitted by the band for the national final and presented between 21 and 24 January 2004 during special broadcasts on TRT 1, TRT Int and TRT Radyo for the public to vote for their favourite song via telephone and SMS.[4][5] The winning song, "For Real", was announced on 24 January during the TRT 1 show Sayısal Gece, hosted by Isik Özden and Ziya Kürküt.[6][7] In addition to the announcement of Athena's contest entry, dance group Fire of Anatolia and 1990 Turkish Eurovision entrant Kayahan performed as guests during the show, which achieved a market share of 3.6% in Turkey.[8][9]

Final – 24 January 2004  Draw  | Song  | Televote  | Place

|
|
|

1  | "I Love Mud on My Face"  | 10,931  | 3
2  | "Easy Man"  | 12,024  | 2
3 | "For Real" | 86,362 | 1

## At Eurovision[edit]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2004 took place at the Abdi İpekçi Arena in Istanbul, Turkey

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from the semi-final in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from the semi-final progress to the final. As the host country, Turkey automatically qualified to compete in the final on 15 May 2004. In addition to their participation in the final, Turkey is also required to broadcast and vote in the semi-final. The running order for the final in addition to the semi-final was decided through an allocation draw and Turkey was subsequently drawn to perform in position 22, following the entry from Cyprus and before the entry from Romania. Turkey placed fourth in the final, scoring 195 points.[10]

The show was broadcast in Turkey on TRT 1 and TRT Int with commentary by Bülend Özveren and Didem Tolunay.[11][12][13] The Turkish spokesperson, who announced the results of the Turkish televote during the final, was Meltem Ersan Yazgan.

### Voting[edit]

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Turkey and awarded by Turkey in the semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Greece in the semi-final and to Ukraine in the final of the contest. Following the release of the televoting figures by the EBU after the conclusion of the competition, it was revealed that a total of 190,746 televotes were cast in Turkey during the two shows: 121,008 votes in the final and 69,738 votes in the semi-final.[14]

#### Points awarded to Turkey[edit]

Points awarded to Turkey (Final)[15] Score  | Country

|

12 points  |

* Belgium
* France
* Germany
* Netherlands

10 points  |

* Denmark
* Romania

8 points  |

* Albania
* Austria
* Monaco
* Norway
* Poland
* Russia
* Switzerland

7 points  |  Bosnia and Herzegovina
6 points  |

* Greece
* Macedonia
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom

5 points  |

* Finland
* Iceland
* Sweden

4 points  |  Cyprus
3 points  |

* Andorra
* Belarus
* Croatia
* Lithuania

2 points  |

* Israel
* Latvia
* Serbia and Montenegro
* Spain

1 point  |  Ireland

#### Points awarded by Turkey[edit]

Points awarded by Turkey (Semi-final)[16] | Score  | Country

|

12 points  |  Greece
10 points  |  Bosnia and Herzegovina
8 points  |  Ukraine
7 points  |  Serbia and Montenegro
6 points  |  Albania
5 points  |  Cyprus
4 points  |  Israel
3 points  |  Macedonia
2 points  |  Netherlands
1 point  |  Denmark
Points awarded by Turkey (Final)[15] | Score  | Country

|

12 points  |  Ukraine
10 points  |  Greece
8 points  |  Serbia and Montenegro
7 points  |  Bosnia and Herzegovina
6 points  |  Albania
5 points  |  Germany
4 points  |  Macedonia
3 points  |  Sweden
2 points  |  Spain
1 point  |  Cyprus

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Türkiye". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
2. ^ "Eurovision temsilcimiz Grup Athena". Hurriyet (in Turkish). 2003-09-02. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
3. ^ Rau, Oliver (2 September 2003). "Athena to represent Turkey in 2004". Esctoday. Archived from the original on 2004-02-14. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
4. ^ "Eurovision seçimi Sayısal Gecede". Milliyet (in Turkish). 2004-01-20. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
5. ^ Bakker, Sietse (21 January 2004). "Turkish songs on TRT International". Esctoday. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
6. ^ "TURKISH NATIONAL FINAL 2004".
7. ^ Rau, Oliver (24 January 2004). "Turkey: Athena will perform For real". Esctoday. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
8. ^ "Eurovision Popstar'ın gölgesinde". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 2004-01-26. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
9. ^ "SABAH - 24/01/2004 - tELEvizyon". arsiv.sabah.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
10. ^ "Grand Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
11. ^ "TV Programları – 12 Mayıs 2004". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). 12 May 2004. p. 16\. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
12. ^ "TV Programları – 15 Mayıs 2004". Cumhuriyet (in Turkish). 12 May 2004. p. 16\. Archived from the original on 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
13. ^ "The Longest-Serving Eurovision Commentators". Aussievision. 2021-05-20. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
14. ^ "Press Release - Record numbers for the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
15. ^ a b "Results of the Grand Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
16. ^ "Results of the Semi-Final of Istanbul 2004". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021.

* v
* t
* e

Turkey in the Eurovision Song Contest

Participation|

* 1975
* 1978
* ~~1979~~
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012

Artists|

* ~~21\. Peron~~
* Çetin Alp
* Athena
* Pınar Ayhan
* Burak Aydos
* Ayşegül
* Buket Bengisu and Group Safir
* Beş Yıl Önce, On Yıl Sonra
* Can Bonomo
* İzel Çeliköz
* Kenan Doğulu
* Arzu Ece
* Sertab Erener
* ~~Maria Rita Epik~~
* Grup Etnik
* Gülseren
* Hadise
* Reyhan Karaca
* Kayahan
* Klips ve Onlar
* Lokomotif
* Manga
* MFÖ
* Grup Mistik
* Modern Folk Trio
* Mor ve Ötesi
* Nazar
* Neco
* Nilüfer
* Tuba Önal
* Şebnem Paker
* Pan
* Ajda Pekkan
* The Short Waves
* The S.O.S.
* Seyyal Taner
* Tüzmen
* Sibel Tüzün
* Can Uğurluer
* Aylin Vatankoş
* Semiha Yankı
* Sedat Yüce
* Yüksek Sadakat

Songs|

* "Bana Bana"
* "Beşinci Mevsim"
* "Deli"
* "Didai Didai Dai"
* "Dinle"
* "Dön Artık"
* "Dönme Dolap"
* "Düm Tek Tek"
* "Esmer Yarim"
* "Everyway That I Can"
* "For Real"
* "Gözlerinin Hapsindeyim"
* "Halay"
* "Halley"
* "Hani?"
* "İki Dakika"
* "Leylaklar Soldu Kalbinde"
* "Live It Up"
* "Love Me Back"
* "Opera"
* "Pet'r Oil"
* "Rimi Rimi Ley"
* "Şarkım Sevgi Üstüne"
* "Seninle Bir Dakika"
* "Sev"
* "Sevgiliye Son"
* "Sevince"
* ~~" Seviyorum"~~
* "Shake It Up Şekerim"
* "Sufi"
* "Süper Star"
* "Unutamazsın"
* "We Could Be the Same"
* "Yaz Bitti"
* "Yorgunum Anla"

* Note: Entries scored out signify where Turkey did not compete

* v
* t
* e

Eurovision Song Contest 2004

Countries|

| Final|

* Albania
* Austria
* Belgium
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Macedonia
* Malta
* Netherlands
* Norway
* Poland
* Romania
* Russia
* Serbia and Montenegro
* Spain
* Sweden
* Turkey
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom

|

Semi-final|

* Andorra
* Belarus
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* Israel
* Lithuania
* Latvia
* Monaco
* Portugal
* Slovenia
* Switzerland

Artists|

| Final|

* Lisa Andreas
* Athena
* Blue Café
* Jonatan Cerrada
* Deen
* Chris Doran
* James Fox
* Željko Joksimović and Ad Hoc Orchestra
* Jónsi
* Julie and Ludwig
* Max
* Ivan Mikulić
* Lena Philipsson
* Toše Proeski
* Ramón
* Re-union
* Sakis Rouvas
* Ruslana
* Sanda
* Julia Savicheva
* Anjeza Shahini
* Knut Anders Sørum
* Tie Break
* Xandee

|

Semi-final|

* Aleksandra and Konstantin
* David D'Or
* Fomins and Kleins
* Linas and Simona
* Maryon
* Neiokõsõ
* Piero and the MusicStars
* Platin
* Marta Roure
* Jari Sillanpää
* Sofia Vitória
* Tomas Thordarson

Songs|

| Final|

* "1 Life"
* "À chaque pas"
* "Believe Me"
* "Can't Wait Until Tonight"
* "Du bist"
* "For Real"
* "Heaven"
* "High"
* "Hold On to Our Love"
* "I Admit"
* "If My World Stopped Turning"
* "The Image of You"
* "In the Disco"
* "It Hurts"
* "Lane moje"
* "Life"
* "Love Song"
* "On Again... Off Again"
* "Para llenarme de ti"
* "Shake It"
* "Stronger Every Minute"
* "Wild Dances"
* "Without You"
* "You Are The Only One"

|

Semi-final|

* "Celebrate"
* "Dziesma par laimi"
* "Foi magia"
* "Jugarem a estimar-nos"
* "Leha'amin"
* "My Galileo"
* "Notre planète"
* "Shame on You"
* "Stay Forever"
* "Takes 2 to Tango"
* "Tii"
* "What's Happened to Your Love"

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