Eurovision Song Contest 2012 winner Loreen of Sweden (Picture: Getty)

Sweden is without doubt the nation leading Europe when it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest.

Ever since their first win 40 years ago with Abba, the nation has placed near the top of the scoreboard and has the second highest number of victories in the most watched, non-sporting television event on Earth.

In the last four years Sweden has finished in the top three on three occasions – winning it once. (The UK hasn’t seen the top three since 2002.)

Yet, for all their victories, Sweden have never won the Eurovision Song Contest with a male soloist. Until this year, perhaps?




A week before Sweden decides who to send in search of a sixth victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, four male solo entries in their Melodifestivalen final, (Sweden’s song contest selection show) are being tipped as potential Eurovision winners if they go to Vienna in May… and they all have reason to be optimistic.

While the BBC struggle to find one act with one song to represent the United Kingdom, things are very different for Sveriges Television – Sweden’s broadcaster responsible for their Eurovision participation.

The contrast is so great that some Eurovision fans across the UK have adopted the Swedish selection show as their own. Hundreds now travel to Sweden to see the live arena shows.

In Sweden, they average more than 3,000 songs entered to represent the country.

Sanna Nielsen scored third place for Sweden last year with Undo (Picture: Ragnar Singsaas/Getty Images)

Their Eurovision selection show takes place over six weeks with four semi finals. There’s even a second chance round and a grand Melodifestivalen final with 10 songs, voted on by international juries and a national televote.

Yes, that’s right. The Swedes take it so seriously, they get international music juries to help them find the best song.

As the BBC release the UK entry via the Red Button after The Voice final tonight, SVT will be grabbing more than 80 per cent of Sweden’s TV share for a 90 minute live show featuring songs that only came third and fourth in their heats.

The final, a week later, should bag a 90 per cent audience share. Something most broadcasters can only dream about. When it comes to Eurovision, few places on Earth match the Swedes passion and desire to win.

Among the finalists in Sweden this year, the four favorites are all male soloists, and every one of them would be considered a hot favorite to win Eurovision.

So, the four men leading the Swedish Eurovision race are:

1. Eric Saade

Eric is looking for a return to the Eurovision Song Contest after winning Melodifestivalen in 2011 and taking Sweden to third place with song, Popular, in 2011.

He restored some Europride to his nation after they finished 11th in the semi final a year before, meaning the only year Sweden has not been at the Eurovision final since 1957.

The song Sting is likely to appeal to high school kids and students and has serious likeability, but with three other boys in the race, he could get stung this time.



2. Jon Henrik Fjallgren

Hailing from northern Sweden, Jon Henrik’s entry carries something even more Swedish than the Abba Euro-pop sound.

He is part of Europe’s most northern ethnic group, the Sami community that lives across the Norway-Sweden-Finland-Russian section of the Arctic Circle.

The song Jag Ar Fri (I’m Free) has become a overnight sensation.

This is a strong song and his official music video shows he can go toe-to-toe with Eric in the looks department.

3. Mans Zelmerlow

Mans is no stranger to Melodifestivalen in Sweden. He’s finished in the top two twice and hosted the show for six weeks in 2010.

The entry uses some creative interaction with cartoon characters on a screen interacting with him throughout. The gimmick makes for a great visual performance.

Mans is becoming the Gary Barlow of Sweden and could be set for UK success on the back of this one.

4. Magnus Carlsson

Magnus is no stranger to music success as a member of the pop group Alcazar. The band racked up a string of chart successes through the noughties.

The song is the only traditional Swedish schlager entry. Schlager is a descendant of the Abba pop sound and remains traditionally Swedish. The genre has a huge following in Scandinavia and the song is likely to go down well with the Saturday night voting public.

It’s pure pop – a likeable toe-tapper that might translate into text votes.

Sweden always keeps an eye on what the rest of Europe picks for Eurovision and if they try to vote for a contrast (ballads are being picked all over the place) this song might just sneak through to the contest in Vienna.


The Swedish Melodifestivalen final can be seen live on svt.se on March 14 at 7pm UK time.

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