Eurovision is a global phenomenon. As the world’s biggest song contest, it draws audiences of over 190 million viewers annually. Currently in its 68th year, most European families have grown up watching the show, and for many marginalised LGBTQ+ communities, the visual spectacle remains a source of upliftment.
But that’s not all. Eurovision’s impact is broader. Eurovision participants have conquered the world’s music stage over the decades. From ABBA to Måneskin, Eurovision personalities have shaped popular culture. This week marks another milestone. Norway’s 2009 winning entry, “Fairytale” has become the theme tune for the Turkish national football team — and we are celebrating!
“Fairytale” — Alexander Rybak
Football anthems lean into the power of most Eurovision songs by stirring up great patriotism and uniting people by music. In most cases, the anthems most beloved by football fans stand the test of time. Whilst it is regrettable that Turkey bowed out of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, its national broadcaster Turkey Radio and Television (TRT) remains a member of the EBU. Despite their absence from Eurovision, their national football team has embraced “Fairytale”, one of the contest’s most loved entries as their own.
The Turkish take on “Fairytale”
The legacy of “Fairytale”
Back in 2009 when Alexander Rybak performed his self-composed entry at Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix, the song received half a million votes more than his closest competitor, and marked the widest gap in the contest’s history.
It went on to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009 where additional records were broken. “Fairytale” became Norway’s third and most recent victory, as well as scoring the highest recorded score with 387 points — out of a maximum possible of 492. It held this record all the way until 2016 when the contest’s scoring system was changed.
Additionally, It held the number one music chart position in Norway for 8 consecutive weeks and became a radio hit for several months in all major European music markets. In Russia for example, the song shifted over half a million copies, and it peaked within the Top 3 in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden and The Netherlands.
Speaking exclusively to wiwibloggs, Rybak explains:
“Hakan Sukur (who doesn’t play anymore) was one of the players who really made me fall in love with football as a child. I’ve always liked the passionate approach that Turkish footballers have to soccer. That’s why I really really want them to come back to ESC, because they bring that same passionate football energy to Eurovision.”
A look at Euro 2024
Euro 2024 — or the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship — is the 17th edition of the international football competition which brings 24 teams together once every four years to compete for continental footballing glory.
This year’s edition is taking place in Germany, across ten different cities. The host venues include Berlin’s Olympiastadion and the Düsseldorf Arena in Düsseldorf. The latter was also the venue which hosted Eurovision in 2011, the last time the contest took place in Germany.
Germany kicked things off with an emphatic 5-1 win against Scotland in the competition’s first game on 14 June in Munich. Since then, the likes of Spain, Italy, France and England have all registered victories in their first games.
Germany and Spain are the most successful teams in the competition’s history, with 3 wins each. Italy are the defending champions, having tasted success in Euro 2020, which was actually held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Türkiye at Euro 2024
Türkiye will commence their campaign at Euro 2024 on Tuesday 18 June — that’s later today — with “Fairytale” ringing in their ears. They have been drawn to play in Group F and play their first game against Georgia, who are making their debut after qualifying for the tournament for the first time in their history. The match will take place at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, home of recent Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.
Türkiye will then play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal on 22 June — also in Dortmund — before concluding their group stage campaign against the Czech Republic on 26 June in Hamburg. The Turkish team features Inter Milan star Hakan Çalhanoğlu and talented Real Madrid teenager Arda Güler.
Two out of four teams from each of the six groups will qualify for the Round of 16, alongside the four best-ranked third-placed teams.
What do you think of the Turkish take on “Fairytale”? Have you been watching Euro 2024? Which team are you supporting and who do you think will win the competition? Let us know in the comments below!
