The European Broadcasting Union
bent the rules for the Ukraine when it allowed them into the
2003 contest despite having told the likes of Albania and
Serbia/Montenegro that they would have to wait until the advent
of the semis a year later. Such is the influence of one of the
largest ex-Soviet republics!
A solid mid-table start was followed
the next year by an total
victory!. Ruslana was a heroine of the Ukrainian revolution and
her win, and the 2005 hosting of the contest was heavily
symbolic politically.
A blip on home soil, when an overtly political dirge was
shoe-horned in as their entry was followed by further success, including
the infamous Verka Serduchka who cracked several singles charts
(including the UK top 30) with the 2007 runner-up that far
outsold and outshone the contest winner.
1956>
No Entries
<2002
2003
Hasta La Vista
Olexsandr
14/26
€€€€€
2004
Wild Dances
Ruslana Lyzhichko
01/24
€€€€€€€€€€
2005
Razom Nas Bahato
Greenjolly
20/24
€€
2006
Show Me Your Love
Tina Karol
07/24
€€€€€€€€
2007
Dancing Lasha Tumbai
Verka Serduchka
02/24
€€€€€€€€€
2008
Shady Lady
Ani Lorak
02/25
€€€€€€€€€
Verka Serduchka from 2007 who far
outstripped the Serbian winner in international success
(including a top 30 single in the UK!)
