Giorgos Alkaios eyes Eurovision win  

Tony Neophytou 'Eurovision guru'

Hit singer-songwriter quenches a thirst for Eurovision but first has to combat the hurdle of winning the national final. Giorgos Alkaios sings the catchy, upbeat brilliant ethnic tune, 'OPA'. The beautiful Pontiac Lyra (cue Lazos Ioannidis) drives the track's foot-tapping rhythm. The song’s exquisite break at 2.05 stands out for the folk-element.

Giorgos owns independent label Music Friends Factory, his friends are four-dancers/backing-vocalists, brims flawless, excellent energy, grabbing the listener's ear with "shouts" to OPA, HEY! WOOOAHHH! The plate-breaking beats (or me) on a thin budget pieced paper-plates, gets a great reaction with LGR listeners. The studio switch-board goes into meltdown. I'll play it early Saturday morning to kick-off the weekend on a feel-good buzz.

Now, OPA a very good title, appeals to Eurovision fans, non-Greeks who have a positive affiliation to the word. It's actually got a buzz-word recognition. A reason for why this is a good choice. It is sung in Greek but one word handily beats out barriers, 'Opa' is an exclamation when used in song to illuminate the pleasurable good times, to party, dance, or 'kefi'.

Team OPA first competes in the Greek final on March 12, one step closer to Oslo Eurovision Semi-Final after that. “I wrote the music two years ago, friends persuaded me (Dionisis Sxoinas) to go for the Eurovision!” explained Alkaios.

Giorgos, with phenomenal big hits of the 1990's/2000 era is now championing the Eurovision. The signature style of Alkaios embellishes catchy ethno-beats. Hits like classic LGR gold Giorgos' debut hit 'Ti Ti' in 1992 to 'Opa Opa' precipitated cover versions to Antique, Despina Vandi, and Notis Sfakianakis.

OPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

Gogua Iakovos (far left) Evgenios Buli, Giorgos Alkaios (centre) Lazos Ioannidis, Petros Zlatkos, Anastasios Kanaridis (far right)