For reference, here's the 2005 contest (with Greek commentary, there is a video of the voting only with Wogan.)
The trademark SVT swooping shots are very evident, but you can see what I mean about shouty female hosts which seem to be in every "eastern" hosted contest.
...And interestingly won by a Swedish singer (with Greek parents). Helena Paparizou has continued to have a very successful career in Sweden and has attempted to represent Sweden in 2014. (With a very decent song IMO.)
...And interestingly won by a Swedish singer (with Greek parents). Helena Paparizou has continued to have a very successful career in Sweden and has attempted to represent Sweden in 2014. (With a very decent song IMO.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omXFlOI9Gqc
Helena also represented Greece as part of the group Antique in 2001. (That performance also included Shirley Clamp, a Melodifestivalen stalwart, as a backing singer.)
If you look at the Swedish influence on many songs this year (whether through production, backing singers, composers etc.) you'll see it's pretty major.
Thomas G:Son (Swedish composer) was certainly there this year with both Georgia and Cyprus (interestingly the two most frenetic songs IMO) in the final. (He was involved with Georgia and Spain's entries last year...)
Of course it will - you know fine well the EBU will set the minimum required standards. BTW, Euro 2012 matches from Poland and Ukraine were broadcast in HD.
