The second semi-final of Eurovision 2023 has ended, with Greece not winning the coveted "ticket" for Saturday's grand final. The last time the Greek participation was excluded was in 2018 with Gianna Terzi and the song "My Dream".
Predictions for Victor Vernicos and his song, 'What They Say', were discouraging from the start and while the 16-year-old gave his best on stage, he failed to win over the competition's fans.
However, the decision to exclude Greece, a country known for its enthusiastic participation, left many concerned and once again divided social media.
See the appearance of the Greek participation
During the young singer's performance, the comments were not positive with many even commenting on his appearance, stating that he resembled a boy scout. But many did not fail to emphasise that despite his young age and possible anxiety, he managed to get on stage and try to bring Greece to the final.
Here are some reactions to Greece's exclusion:
"He did what he could for his age and inexperience and is a very likeable 16-year-old. Let's be happy with the remaining participations in the final and next year here we are again!"
Στεναχωριέμαι πάντως που θα πέσουν όλοι τώρα να τον φάνε τον δικό μας. Έκανε αυτό που μπορούσε για την ηλικία και την απειρία του και είναι ένα συμπαθέστατο 16χρονο παιδί. Ας χαρούμε με τις υπόλοιπες συμμετοχές στον τελικό και του χρόνου εδώ είμαστε πάλι! #eurovisiongr
— Lkaps (@Lisakaps78) May 11, 2023
"Was there a person waiting for us to pass?"
Υπήρχε άνθρωπος που περίμενε ότι θα περάσουμε; #eurovisiongr #Γιουροβιζιον
— Μετακλητός (@metaklitos) May 11, 2023
"The child is not to blame, these were his abilities, he did it. Those who sent it were to blame. They didn't have ears to hear that the song was bad, why did they choose it and advertise it as a favourite. What can I say?"
#eurovisiongr Το παιδι δεν φταιει τιποτα αυτες ηταν οι δυνατοτητες του αυτο εκανε .Αυτοι που το στειλαν φταινε.Δεν ειχαν αυτια να ακουσουν οτι το τραγουδι ηταν μαπα τι το επιλεξαν και το διαφημιζαν και σαν φαβορι.Τι να πω να μας κλαινε οι ρεγγες ειμαστε
— Deligapos (@Deligapos) May 11, 2023
Greece was kinda bad im sorry
— DFM Sien 🍊💙 (@SienAppelsien) May 11, 2023
I do feel sorry for Victor. Only 16 and he was like a lamb to the slaughter 😞 but it was not good. I expect more from Greece TBH.
— Chad 🇪🇺🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@Chadderbox2018) May 11, 2023
georgia or greece deserved better
— nordin 🇸🇮🇱🇻 (@uusalgus_) May 11, 2023
i honestly really didn't like greece but other acts like georgia or iceland deserved it way more than poland thats for sure
— diamo /// 🇲🇩🇵🇹🇫🇮🇬🇪🇦🇱🇨🇾 (@dviamox) May 11, 2023
Greece was the worst Eurovision entry I ever heard & watched. I pity the boy though. He is just a casualty of the infighting in his country's broadcasting network. But I'm happy that Cyprus made it. He is in my Top 7. And he will get the 12pts of Greece. 😊😍🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾🇨🇾
— Gee Ens 🇸🇪🇫🇷🇮🇹🇬🇧 🇮🇱🇳🇴🇨🇾🇦🇿🇦🇹 (@ENguilbert) May 11, 2023
READ MORE: Cyprus and Australia Through to Eurovision Song Contest Final, Greece Misses Out.