Sweden: Another two acts chosen for the final

by Marcus Klier 61 views

Tonight, the fourth and last semi final of Melodifestivalen 2009, the Swedish national selection for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest was held. Another eight acts presented their songs and the televoters have chosen two more songs to move forward to the national final.

In the first round of televoting (removing the bottom three before the voting was closed), the top four were chosen:

  • AgnesLove, love, love
  • Star PilotsHigher
  • Sarah Dawn FinerMoving on
  • Malena ErnmanLa voix

The songs then competed in pairs, the song with the most votes against the one with the fourth most votes and the one with the third most votes against the one with the second most votes. Those were the pairs:

  • Agnes vs. Star Pilots
  • Sarah Dawn Finer vs. Malena Ernman

The favourite of each pair directly qualified for the national final final, the second placed song will enter the second chance round.

The following songs will compete in the national final on 14th March:

  • Agnes – Love, love, love
  • Malena Ernman – La voix

The following songs will enter the second chance round on 7th March:

  • Star Pilots – Higher
  • Sarah Dawn Finer – Moving on

Sarah Dawn Finer was also the choice of the international jury.

The following songs are eliminated from the competition:

  • Susanne AlfvengrenDu är älskad där du går(8th in the televoting)
  • Anna Sahlene & Maria Haukaas StorengKilling me tenderly (7th in the televoting)
  • Thorleifs Sweet kissin' in the moonlight (5th in the televoting)
  • Next 3Esta noche (6th in the televoting)

esctoday.com poll results

Yet again, the runaway poll winners – Maria Haukaas Storeng & Anna Sahlene with 35.7% – were eliminated after the first round. The direct qualifiers, Malena Ernman and Agnes, had finished second and fourth respectively in the poll.

In 2008, Sweden was represented by Charlotte Perelli with the song Hero. The song finished 12th in the second semi final but still made it to the final as a jury wildcard. Eventually, it finished 18th with 47 points. It was the first time since 1987/1988 that Sweden finished outside the top ten two years in a row following the Ark's 18th place in 2007. In 2009, Sweden will take part in the first semi final on 12th May.