Prior to the 2012 contest, Greece had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 32 times since their first entry in . To this point, the nation won the contest once, in 2005 with the song "My Number One" performed by Helena Paparizou, and placed third three times: in 2001 with the song "(I Would) Die for You" performed by the duo Antique; in 2004 with "Shake It" performed by Sakis Rouvas; and in 2008 with "Secret Combination" performed by Kalomoira. Following the introduction of semi-finals for the 2004 contest, Greece qualified for the grand final each year. Their least successful result was in when they placed 20th with the song "Mia Krifi Evesthisia" by Thalassa, receiving only 12 points in total, all from Cyprus.