The participant list for “Sing for Greece 2026” has been revealed. The song written by Keren Peles, Tomer Biran, and Poseidonas Giannopoulos for Xannova Xan did not make the final cut
Moments ago, the list of competing songs for the Greek national selection “Sing for Greece 2026” was published, featuring a surprising exclusion: the song co‑written by Keren Peles, Tomer Biran, and Greek songwriter Poseidonas Giannopoulos for singer Xannova Xan has not been accepted into the competition. The decision, taken by a special committee of Greece’s national broadcaster ERT, effectively removes the Israeli‑Greek collaboration from contention to represent Greece at Eurovision 2026.
The rejection has sparked debate across Greek media circles, as several professionals in Greece who heard the song recently claimed it was highly rated and considered one of the top three submitted to the committee. The move also raises eyebrows given Peles’s proven songwriting record—she has penned notable tracks in the past two Eurovisions—and Xannova Xan’s reputation as one of the strongest vocalists in the selection process.
Tension with ERT: The Role of Poseidonas Giannopoulos
Insiders point to one primary reason for the rejection: the involvement of Poseidonas Giannopoulos, one of the most outspoken critics of Greece’s national broadcaster ERT in recent years. Giannopoulos contributed the Greek‑language ending to the song. A well‑known radio host, producer, and television personality in Greece, Giannopoulos has not concealed his critical views.
As early as 13 November, in an interview with ANT1, he openly suggested that his involvement might jeopardise the song’s chances of approval. He even admitted to proposing to Keren Peles that he sign the lyrics under a pseudonym: “My name is a red flag for ERT,” he said at the time. Now, with the participant list officially published, it seems his prediction has proven correct.
Giannopoulos’s Eurovision History and Ongoing Dispute
Poseidonas Giannopoulos has a long and successful history within the Eurovision world. He co‑wrote Greece’s “Secret Combination”, which placed third in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, and also wrote the lyrics for Cyprus’s “Comme Ci, Comme Ça”, which competed in 2007.
However, his relationship with ERT deteriorated sharply in recent years. In April 2025, Giannopoulos accused ERT of “bureaucratic management, indifference, and arrogance” in a televised interview on rival channel Star TV. He argued that entertainment programs with 1–2% ratings continued to air without accountability, whereas similar results in commercial channels would lead to immediate changes.
Giannopoulos also criticised ERT for its handling of Eurovision 2025, claiming the broadcaster failed to properly promote singer Klavdia by not sending her to international pre‑Eurovision promotion events. He dismissed the broadcaster’s claim of “budget constraints,” citing its substantial investments in low‑rated entertainment shows as evidence to the contrary.
Keren Peles and Tomer Biran Told Euromix.co.il: “The recent updates from two days ago showed that the song is ranked among the top 3. We were told today that there were some internal affairs between the Greek author and ERT. At this time we do not know the details”.
The elimination of the song in such an early phase leaves sour feelings in Israel and Greece, especially after professional assessments that the song could have reached the Eurovision stage.
ERT is yet to respond to the article.
Greece at Eurovision 2025
“Asteromáta” (translated as: “Eyes of Stars”) is the song performed by Klavdia, who represented Greece in the grand final of Eurovision 2025. Greece finished sixth in the grand final with 231 points.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Greece’s 46th participation in Eurovision. Greece joined the competition in 1974 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2005 when singer Helena Paparizou won first place with the song “My Number One”.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +972-50-9441919
Ofek Jerassi is an Israeli reporter, editor, content creator, and commentator, specializing in the Eurovision Song Contest. He has developed his extensive expertise since childhood, becoming a close follower of the contest. For the past three years, he has served as a writer and editor for EuroMix—Israel’s largest Eurovision website and one of the world’s leading platforms in the field, with over 1.5 million users annually.
Ofek covered Eurovision 2025 on-site in Basel from the press center in the host city, providing EuroMix readers with firsthand experiences, professional analysis, and exclusive reactions from the audience, artists, and experts. His in-depth knowledge and broad familiarity with the Eurovision world are evident in every article, ensuring reliable, professional, and up-to-date content.
In his personal life, Ofek is a medic and avid traveler. He writes out of a genuine love for Eurovision, placing strong emphasis on credibility, professional commentary, and presenting a diverse range of opinions.
