Cyprus has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest twenty-six times since its first entry in 1981. Its best placing was fifth, which it achieved three times: in 1982 with the song "Mono I Agapi" performed by Anna Vissi, in 1997 with "Mana Mou" performed by Hara and Andreas Constantinou, and 2004 with "Stronger Every Minute" performed by Lisa Andreas. Cyprus's least successful result was in 1986 when it placed last in 1986 with the song "Tora Zo" by Elpida, receiving only three points in total. However, its worst finish in terms of points received was when it placed second to last in 1999 with "Tha'nai Erotas" by Marlain Angelidou, receiving only two. The Cypriot national broadcaster, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts the event in Cyprus each year and organizes the selection process for its entry. Selection processes have varied over the years from full national finals such as in 2004, 2006, and 2008, where the public chooses both the song and performer, to internal selections such as in 2005 and 2007 where the artist and sometimes song also is chosen by CyBC. For 2009, CyBC chose to hold a national final as it had the previous year.
Before Eurovision
National final
The original date for the national final was set for 31 January 2009, but it was later rumored to be changed to accommodate a possible guest appearance by Sakis Rouvas. The winner was selected exclusively by public televoting. In the case that the televoting system went down, the jury would have been used as an alternative to choose the entrant.
Competing entries
Composers were allowed to submit their songs until 28 November 2008. Songwriters were required to be Cypriot, or to be residents of Cyprus for at least two years. Songs could be sung in any language, but could not be submitted to multiple broadcasters in the contest. At the conclusion of the deadline, a seven-member selection jury first shortlisted 20 potential songs. This was then cut down to 10 songs competing in the national final. The jury was also drawn from a pot of fourteen suggested candidates and their identities will not be revealed throughout the duration of the final. The selected entries and the singer for each song were announced respectively on 16 December 2008 and 20 January 2009. Among the competing artists were Marlen Angelidou who represented Cyprus in the 1999 contest, and Alex Panayi who represented Cyprus in the 1995 and 2000 contest.
Final
The final took place at RIK's Studio 3 on 7 February 2009, hosted by Charis Kkolos and Maria Michail. The winner was selected by televoting, being "Firefly" performed by Christina Metaxa, who received 5,719 votes more than the runner-up.
At Eurovision
As Cyprus is not one of the "Big Four", nor the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, after Evdokia Kadi placed 15th in the second semi-final in 2008, Cyprus had to compete in the second semi-final to proceed onto the final in Moscow. Christina performed seventh in the semi-final on 14 May, following Norway and preceding Slovakia, however she failed to qualify Cyprus to the final for the fourth consecutive year.
