Have a look at how the Swedes voted in semi no 2 and the final.
» You find all the figures here

The Swedish spokesperson during the voting seemed to very confused and nervous. But it was all fake. His name is Björn Gustafsson and is a new young comedian who got his break-through as an interval act in the Swedish Melodifestivalen 2008. His appearance in ESC devides the Swedish people. Some thought it was very fun, and some thought it was embarrasing.

Björn Gustafsson gives points in ESC 2008.


Björn Gustafsson as an interval act in Melodifestivalen 2008.


Björn Gustafsson as an interval act in Melodifestivalen 2008.

Russia won, finally, its first victory in Eurovision Song Contest. After many second and third places, Dima Bilan and "Believe" took the contest to Moscow in 2009.
Although Sweden did not give Russia any points they deserved this victory.

Ten more countries qualified to the final from the second semi final Thursday 22 May.
UKRAINE
CROATIA
ALBANIA
ICELAND
GEORGIA
DENMARK
SWEDEN
LATVIA
TURKEY
PORTUGAL

Ten countries qualified to the final from the first semi final Tuesday 20 May.
Greece
Romania
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Finland
Russia
Israel
Azerbaijan
Armenia
Poland
Norway

The 1999 ESC-winner Charlotte Perrelli won Melodifestivalen 2008 with "Hero", wriitten by Bobby Ljunggren and Fredrik Kempe. Charlotte was in the lead after the juries had voted with 114 points. Sanna Nielsen was third with 74 points, but later she got the most televotes and received 132 points from the viewers. Charlotte was second in the televoting and received 110 points, but managed to win anyway. Charlotte Perrelli 224 point - Sanna Nielsen 206 points.

After the final, SVT revealed all the televotes from the semi finals.
» You find them here

» Here is the complete scoreboard

1. Charlotte Perrelli
"Hero"

2. Sibel Redzep
"That is where I'll go"

3. Rongedal
"Just a minute"

4. Linda Bengtzing
"Hur svårt kan det va?"

5. Christer Sjögren
"I love Europe"

6. Amy Diamond
"Thank you"

7. Sanna Nielsen
"Empty room"

8. Nordman
"I lågornas sken"

9. Frida feat. Headline
"Upp o hoppa"

10. BWO
"Lay your love on me"

Sibel's "That is where I'll go" and Nordman's "I lågornas sken" grabbed the two last tickets to the final.
The Second Chance competition was an exciting event with some surprising results, for example Johnson & Häggkvist did not get to the second round with "One love".

No bigger surprises this weekend. The two favourites went directly to the final. Charlotte Perrelli and her disco/pop song "Hero", and Linda Bengtzing's classic schlager "Hur svårt kan det va?" ("How difficult could it be?").
These two entries got a new chance in the Second Chance: "I lågornas sken" with Nordman, and "That is where I'll go" with Sibel Redzep.

Read the review here

BWO was the huge favourite in the third semi final, and the Swedish people liked their ABBA inspired "Lay your love on me". The second finalist was quite a surprise; Frida Muranius featuring Headline with the feel-good-hiphop "Upp o hoppa".
The pop/opera anthem "When you need me" with Thérèse Andersson got a ticket to the Second Chance. And also the bubblegum pop song "Smiling in love" with Caracola.

Sanna Nielsen and "Empty room" seemed to be the biggest winner of the second semi final. A big sensation Rongedal accompanied miss Nielsen to the final with their disco tune "Just a minute".
An even bigger sensation when Carola Häggkvist and Anderas Johnson's "One love" missed a direct place in the final. They now join Ola's "Love in stereo" to the Second Chance.

Carola Häggkvist and Andreas Johnson walk directly to the final, according most experts. But who will get the second spot? Sanna Nielsen's ballad, or Ola Svensson's pop song à la 80's.
Rongedal is said to be in the Second Chance.

It was the youngest and oldest participants who grabbed the two spots to the final in the Globe Arena. Amy did a very professional performance in "Thank you" and Christer gave a kind of Las Vegas show with "I love Europe".
E-type & The Poodles' "Line of fire" and Suzzie Tapper's "Visst finns mirakel" got the places in the Second Chance.

Almost all Swedish media agree. The two finalist from the first semi final are Amy Diamond's "Thank you" and E-type & The Poodles "Line of fire".
The two spots for the Second Chance stand between Velvet, Michael Michailoff, Suzzie Tapper and Christer Sjögren.

E-type (without The Poodles)


Face -84


Velvet


Brandur


Michael Michailoff


Amy Diamond


Suzzie Tapper


Christer Sjögren

Ola Svensson


Lasse Lindh


The Nicole


Alexander Schöld


Rongedal


Sanna Nielsen


Andra Generationen


Johnson & Häggkvist

BWO


Mickey Huskic


Frida Muranius (without Headline)


Therese Andersson (together with Pay-tv)


Patrik Isaksson


Caracola


Ainbusk


Eskobar

Niklas Strömstedt


Calaisa


Linda Bengtzing


Nordman


Sibel Redzep


Fronda


Charlotte Perrelli

SVT announced the four wild cards on Tuesday morning.
Semi final 1: Amy Diamond
"Thank You" - music & lyrics: Sandra Nordström, Mathias Venge, Peter Wennerberg.
Amy Diamond got her break-through only 12 years old with "What's in it for me" in 2004.

Semi final 2: Johnson & Häggkvist
"One Love" - music & lyrics: Carola Häggkvist, Andreas Johnson, Peter Kvint.
Carola Häggkvist and Andreas Johnson seemed to be out of the discussion for a while, but now they will enter the competition with "One love", a love duet.

Semi final 3: Eskobar
"Hallelujah New World" - music & lyrics: Eskobar.
Eskobar was formed in 1995. In 2001 they had a big hit with "Someone New" featuring Heather Nova.

Semi final 4: Niklas Strömstedt
"För många ord om kärlek" - music & lyrics: Niklas Strömstedt
Niklas Strömstedt became a well-known artist in the 80's. In 1994 he formed a group together with Anders Glenmark (several entries in MF) and Orup (composer of "It hurts" SWE 2004). Niklas wrote the Swedish entry in ESC 1992; "Imorgon är en annan dag" and Melodifestivalen entry "Lev livet" in 2006.

Amy Diamond.


Niklas Strömstedt.


Carola Häggkvist and Andreas Johnson.


Eskobar.

There are many debutants in Melodifestivalen 2008. Here are some of them:

Ola Svensson from Idol 2005.

Calaisa.

Face -84.

Ainbusk (Josefin Nilsson, to the left, participated in 2005).

Andra Generationen.

Lasse Lindh.

Fronda.

Rongedal (first time as solo artists).

There has not been much fuzz about Afro-dite (SWE 2002) since they entered Melodifestivalen 2003 with "Aqua playa". On Christmas Day the girls will release five new songs + two Christmas songs at their website. Next year a new album will come.
- There are many midtempo/soul/r'n'b songs, not that much disco and glitter, Kayo says.
In spite of their comeback they are not interested in a wild card for Melodifestivalen.
- We would gladly participate in Melodifestivalen again, but not now. We do not want Melodifestivalen to take focus from our album, Blossom Tainton says.

The specultaions continue. The tabloids report Brolle Jr may get a wild card. He submitted a song, but was refused by the jury. Even the group Laakso considers a wild card. The rock'n'roll band The Refreshments has also been mentioned.

Watch Brolle Jr's big hit from 2002.


Watch Laakso in a duet with Peter Jöback.


Watch The Refreshments.

Marie Picasso won the Swedish Idol some weeks ago. Her first single is "This moment", written by Mårten Eriksson and Lina Eriksson, well-known composers from Melodifestivalen.
At an early stage Carola Häggkvist was interested in the song, as a wild card entry in Melodifestivalen 2008. But the composers chose the give to the Idol winner.
Carola comments: "I was interested at first, but then I thought it was not good enough".

Watch Marie Picasso and "This moment".

According to the tabloids Carola & Andreas Johnson and Lena Philipsson & Orup will not appear as wild cards. Christer Björkman are looking for new fresh blood in the contest. Not necessarily the most established artist with huge experience from the competition.
• Amy Diamond could be the youngest wild card ever; 16 years old in April 2008.
• Peter Jöback (picture) participated in 1990, but got his big break-through in the musical "Kristina from Duvemåla", written by Björn & Benny from ABBA, in 1995. Now he is one of the most popular artists in Sweden.
• Thorleifs is a very popular dance orchestra in Sweden since the 60's. They submitted two songs for the contest 2008, but none were selected.
• Mikael Rickfors is a rock singer since the 70's. He has apparently submitted songs the latest years.
• Niklas Strömstedt became a well-known artist in the 80's. In 1994 he formed a group together with Anders Glenmark (several entries in MF) and Orup (composer of "It hurts" SWE 2004).
• Melody Club has declined a wild card. They play the same kind of music as The Ark.
• Måns Zelmerlöw and Agnes Carlsson (winner of Idol 2006) are now seen in a big commercial campaign for MQ clothes. Agnes was disqualified last year since she confirmed she had submitted a song. Her entry was replaced by Måns's "Cara mia".

Esc.info.se also think SVT may consider the following artists as possible wild cards:
• Dogge Doggelito, a popular rap artist.
• Erik Segerstedt, Mattias Andreasson and Danny Saucedo. Three guys from Swedish Idol will form a new group. Uncertain if they have time to participate since Danny will compete in "Let's dance" ("Dancing with the stars") this winter.
• Jerry Williams, a big rock'n'roll star in Sweden since the 60's. He was mentioned as a possible wild card a few years ago.

Commercial with Måns Zelmerlöw and Agnes Carlsson.

The summer tour "Diggiloo" was a huge success last summer. In 2008 Lasse Holm (SWE 1986) will be back with a bunch of artists, known from Melodifestivalen. Next summer Måns Zelmerlöw, Linda Bengtzing, Nanne Grönvall, Molly Sandén (JESC 2006) will join the tour. Lotta Engberg (SWE 1987) and comedian Thomas Petersson are - as always - a part of the ensemble.

Björn Skifs is one of the most popular singer in Sweden, and he has won Melodifestivalen twice; 1978 and 1981. He has been offered to participated next year - and almost every recent years - but declined.
- I am done with that. Now I leave it to the young artists, he says to Expressen.
At the same time he is interested in - just like Helena Paparizou - appearing as an interval act.

It seems SVT:s Christer Björkman wants Shirley Clamp back in the competition. But the three times contestant Shirley Clamp is not sure she wants, so Christer Björkman offered her to listen to all the competitors. According to SVT this is not against the rules, but other artists thinks it is cheating.

Everyone thought rap artist Fronda was supposed to perform "Ingen mår så bra som jag". Instead record company manager Bert Karlsson, who discovered Carola, Lena Philipsson and other artist, will form a group consisting of him and Robert Aschberg, tv host, Hasse Aro, tv host, and Gert Fylking radio host/actor.

Aftonbladet reports Lena Philipsson might return to Melodifestivalen as a wild card together with Thomas "Orup" Eriksson, who wrote "Det gör ont/It hurts" (SWE 2004). Since January 2007 they have a show called "Lena + Orup" and next year the show will move to Gothenburg. According to Aftonbladet there will not be any shows on Saturday 9 February when the first semi final are held in Scandinavium, Gothenburg, nor 8 March (second chance) nor 15 March (final). Lena Philipsson's manager tells the two of them are willing to compete again and they have discussions with SVT.
Also Alcazar might do a comeback in the contest. Their new member Lina Hedlund has turned down some offers, she wants to compete as a group together with Alcazar. Their manager says: "We have listened to hundreds of songs and three of them we will test with different producers."
According to a source there was a wish last year to compose a group of previous contestant of "Idol". In 2008 it can become a reality. Markus Fagerwall, Erik Segerstedt, Danny Saucedo and Mattias Andréasson are said to be in this "Idol" group.
The dance orchestra Thorleifs might appear together with rap artist Dogge Doggelito.
And as we have reported earlier; the duo Carola and Andreas Johnson.

Thèrése Andersson is the blond girl in Pay-TV, who participated in Melodifestivalen 2004 and 2005 with "Trendy discoteque" and "Refrain, refrain". According to Aftonbladet she will return to the contest - solo - singing "When You Need Me".

When the 28 entries were announced, there was no song written for or written by Danny Saucedo. But the young artist, who had his break-through in Idol 2006, has not given up his dream to compete in Melodifestivalen 2008.
He hopes Christer Björkman would call and offer him a wild card.
Otherwise he will accept an invitation to participate in Let's dance (Swedish version of Dancing with the stars).

Watch Danny Saucedo and Therese Grankvist sing "If only you".

Expressen newspaper reveals new details about the song "Hero". Earlier both Charlotte and Måns wanted to perform it in the contest, then Måns declined.
Now, Charlotte and Måns may do the entry as a duet.
- We have been working together before. At that time we did some duets. Måns is very talented ans is good looking. He has acheived a lot in a very short time. If I would do a duet he is a very good candidate, Charlotte Perrelli says.

One of the songs in Melodifestivalen 2008 has got a new title. "Leva livet" has been changed to "Upp & hoppa".

Thorleifs is a very popular dance orchestra in Sweden since the 60's. They submitted two songs for the contest 2008, but none were selected. Now they have discussed to enter the competition as one of the four wild cards. According to a source Christer Björkman thinks the kind of music liked by the old people should also be represented in the contest.

Most likely Helena Paparizou will not appear in Melodifestivalen 2008. There have been some rumours saying she would sing "Pame", written by Henrik Wikström and Fredrik Kempe.
- She has been clear to me, she will not compete. I have realized Helena is in a complicatied situation. She loves both Sweden and Greece. She won ESC for Greece, and she does not know how the Greek people would react if she compete for Sweden, says her manager John Wallin.

According to many newspapers Måns Zelmerlöw wanted to perform "Hero" in Melodifestivalen 2008. But now he has changed his mind.
- It is a great song, absolutely, but it has not the same class as ”Cara Mia”. I have said earlier that the song has to be 400 times better than ”Cara Mia”, and I do not think that. But I think Charlotte Perrelli is very good and that she would sing it.
Some sources is claiming Måns has been offered a wild card.
- I have had a fantastic year, but I actually think I would not do the Melodifestivalen next year. Both for my own sake, and for the audience not to become tired of me.

Among the artists that have been mentioned in the speculations we recognize some from tv:s talant shows.
Sibel Redzep, from Idol 2005; Ola Svensson, from Idol 2005; Michael Michailoff, from Fame Factory 2002 and Alexander Schöld, from Fame Factory 2005.
Christer Sjögren has been on stage for over 40 years, but has never been to the Melodifestivalen. Now he will sing "I love Europe".
Four girl groups might appear in the contest: Calaisa, Face 84, Caracola and Ainbusk Singers (the picture: Josefin Nilsson from Ainbusk Singers).

After the entries were presented the speculations started - who will perform which song?
BWO will most certainly sing "Lay your love on me", Patrik Isaksson "Under mitt tunna skinn", Linda Bengtzing "Hur svårt kan det va?". Charlotte Perrelli is a hot candidate to perform "Hero", which Måns Zelmerlöw also wanted to sing.
"Line of fire" will be a cooperation between The Poodles and E-type.

You can see the 28 selected songs to the right. But as always SVT have some reserves if there will be any disqualifications - songs that almost were picked by the jury.
Place 29 (and following):
Running out of Blood
Say it isn't So
Inatt skall marken Skälva
Allt finns Nu
Do you really wanna Love
Dare
Schoolbus
Crystal Clear
En annan Du
Oh I can Fly
Zenoba
What I (Really) don't Want
Raka vägen till Himmelen
Never say goodbye
Never heard of him
För Kulturen
You're the One
Reaching the Sky
Barnbidrag
Just wanna be Loved
License to Love
Autumn Never Leaves
Just a Little
Thousand Miles
Kom Kom Kom
Alla
Vill du ha mig be mig
Yes Yes Yes!!! (I'll have a Drink)
Wake Up
Catch me Now
Du är en del av Mig
Addicted
Jag vill Älska
Kärleksblind
Shut Up
Jag tror på Oss
Breathe
Paint new love
Forever and a Day
När stjärnorna visar ditt Namn
Love and love Alone
Jobba som en Apa
Lonely
Lamore (What a sweet Deja Vu)
Dessa underbara Män
Kom Till Mig
Stop waiting for a Change
This is Disco
Tell it to the Stars
I den här Djungeln
Ani
Joan of Arc
Varje dag känns unik
Razz ma Tazz
Look at me look at You
Show me Rainbows
Something Beautiful
He's my Hero
Diggar Dig
Solo i Sthlm
Lose myself
What if you need me
Midnight train
Gold
Red light Fever
Deja Vû
Im in love
Runaway
Här för mig Själv
Jalla Habibi
Livin my Life
Still Believe
She's over You
Ultimate Dream
By Now
Someone to Flatter
I got you
Make a Wish
I know Nothing
Small Songs
Kiss Me
Brustna Hjärtans Boulevard
En tiger i Mig
Hey You
Young Heart

Semi final 1: Saturday 9 February 2008 in Scandinavium, Gothenburg.
Semi final 2: Saturday 16 February 2008 in ABB Arena, Västerås.
Semi final 3: Saturday 23 February 2008 in Cloetta Center, Linköping.
Semi final 4: Saturday 1 March 2008 in Telenor Arena, Karlskrona.
Second chance: Saturday 8 March 2008 in Arena Arctica, Kiruna.
Final: Saturday 15 March 2008 in Globen, Stockholm.

Carola and Andreas Johnson will go for victory in Melodifestivalen 2008 - together! Accordning to Expressen the two friends have submitted a duet, probably written by Andreas Johnson and Peter Kvint.

Expressen has made a list of candidates for Melodifestivalen 2008.
- Carola & Andreas Johnson
- Darin
- Måns Zelmerlöw
- Mikael Rickfors
- ”Idol”-Ola Svensson
- Kurt Olsson
- Shirley Clamp, Sonja Aldén & Sanna Nielsen
- Sara Löfgren
- Style plus Micke Syd
- Erika Norberg
- Wille Craaford & Meja
- Ann-Louise Hansson
- Elisabeth Andreassen
- Wenche Myhre
- Anna Holgersson
- Anki Bagger
- Valentino
- Peter Johansson
- Michael Michailoff
- Bröderna Rongedahl

BWO singer, Martin Rolinski, says to Expressen newspaper they may enter Melodifestivalen again.
- If it feels right and fun, you never know...
Also Danny Saucedo is positive to enter the contest. He has had a few hits after his participation in Swedish Idol 2006.
- You never say no to the biggest music event, he says.

Frida Sandén represents Sweden in Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2007. She won the Swedish selection with her song "Nu eller aldrig" on August 31. Her sister, Molly Sandén, represented Sweden in JESC last year.

According to Hänt Extra magazine the couple Sandra Dahlberg and Jimmy Jansson are writing songs for Melodifestivalen 2008. But Sandra says the songs are meant for other artists.

Sandra Dahlberg in Melodifestivalen 2004.

Laila Adèle participated in Melodifestivalen 2006 with "Don't try to stop me" gives the contest another chance. According to Hänt Extra magazine she works very hard writing songs for 2008.

Andreas Lundstedt, Tess Merkel and Lina Hedlund have made up their minds - they will continue as the group Alcazar. After their one-night-performance at the G-A-Y club in London they will work hard this autumn recording a new album. Annikafiore and Magnus Carlsson have left the group, and Lina Hedlund is the new member.

Watch Lina Hedlund sing "Nothing can stop me" from Melodifestivalen 2003. .

When SVT:s "Doobidoo" returns in September many artists from Melodifestivalen will appear in the music/game-show.

Ingela ”Pling” Forsman, lyricist of 30 entries
Jan Johansen, SWE 1995, MF 2001, 2002, 2003
Daniel ”Papa Dee” Wahlgren, MF 2005
Wille Crafoord, MF 1997
Shirley Clamp, MF 2003, 2004, 2005
Henrik Rongedal, background singer Electric Banana Band MF 2006
Magnus Rongedal, background singer Electric Banana Band MF 2006
Nanne Grönvall, SWE 1996, MF 1986, 1987, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2007
Björn Skifs, SWE 1978 & 1981
Sara Löfgren, MF 2004
Claes ”Clabbe” af Geijerstam, SWE 1973
Hanna Hedlund, MF 2000, 2002
Pablo Cepeda, MF 2006
Peter Jöback, MF 1990
Nana Hedin, MF 2005
Janne ”Loffe” Carlsson, host MF 1981
Jonas Gardell, host MF 2003
Sharon Dyall, MF 1991
Sonja Aldén, MF 2006, 2007
Sanna Nielsen, MF 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
Anne-Lie Rydé, MF 2004, 2005, 2007
Markoolio, host MF 2005
Claes Malmberg, host MF 1992
The programmes are hosted by Lasse Kronér, who also hosted Melodifestivalen in 1993.

Watch a clip when Lasse Holm (SWE 1986) hosted the show - at that time called Diggiloo; Pernilla Wahlgren (MF 1985, 1991, 2003) and Niclas Wahlgren (MF 2006).

Watch a clip from last year; Östen Eriksson (MF 2002, 2003, 2006) and Agnes Carlsson (disqualified 2007).