#BIRTHDAY: 11 Oct – Hakan and Gökhan from Türkiye are 50

It must be a daunting prospect when you’re picked to represent your country in your host country. After all, everyone remembers your country winning the previous year, so hope are high that you can do as well. It might be even more daunting if your your country’s first home entry.

Back in 2004, we entered a brave new world. A semi-final in the host city, some débuting countries, or some that sat on the sidelines for many years. And we were in a city straddling two continents. And the host entry was performed by Athena, fronted by today’s birthday boys Hakan and Gökhan Özoğuz. There’s was a very un-Turkish song and they also looked very un-Turkish. But it was a taste of things to come judging by some subsequent entries. And Athena can be very pleased with their fourth place. And that’s for real!

Authors: Riigi Ametnik, John Stanton

Source: OnEurope