The second semi final of Melodifestivalen 2008, the Swedish selection for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, is about to take place.

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This article will be constantly updated.

The show has started.

1. Ola – Love in stereo

Some bagpipe players at the beginning! The rest of the performance is Swedish standard, indeed professional but also a bit too predictable. The singer and the background dancers are dressed in black in white and at the end there are some fireworks which seem totally unnecessary. The song is catchy and as Swedish as it can be.

2. Lasse Lindh – Du behöver aldrig mer vara rädd

Number to is a romantic ballad performed in a very classy way by the singer who is playing the guitar. The vocals are not bad but could be a bit stronger, especially at the beginning when Lasse is almost only whispering. Nevertheless, this is not one of the favourites tonight.

3. The Nicole – Razborka

Probably the song with the most interesting arrangement tonight. It's Swedish, Greek and Russian at a time. The performance is very nice, although the pink dress the singer has chosen doesn't really fit in the visual impression. This is the least favourite to qualify for the final according to the betting odds.

4. Alexander Schöld – Den första svalan

A typical Melodifestivalen song – but not a typical Meldofestivalen song to reach the final. This course of this song is very predictable but because of the charismatic and professional performance it still leaves a nice impression.

5. Rongedal – Just a minute

The synchronous performance by the two singers dressed in red and black is very funny to watch and works well with the song. This entry is probably dated and not particularly of high quality but it has nice 1970s disco feeling (especially because of the head voices) and makes people clap along.

6. Sanna Nielsen – Empty room

Empty room is a very classy ballad that leaves out almost all customary Swedish elements which seems to be definitely the right choice in this case. The vocals by Sanna Nielsen are flawless and the singer's performance is very charismatic and charming. Could be even a bit more dramatical taking the lyrics into consideration.

7. Andra Generationen – Kebabpizza Slivovitza

This entry is obviously a joke. The song is a mixture of various ethnic styles presented in a very stereotyped way. The performance is a bit chaotic and could be more spectacular – especially if this is really supposed to be a comedy entry!

8. Carola & Andreas Johnson– One love

The final song is probably the most anticipated one tonight (if not even in whole Melodifestivalen) and definitely a matter of taste. Although it is catchy it has a slight "we-heard-it-before-feeling", which can be either an advantage or a disadvantage. The two performers can prove that they are professionals, partly they even seem to be a bit too professional and the performance lacks some surprises (as fireworks can hardly be called a surprise anymore).

The results of the first round of voting:

One love, Just a minute, Love in stereo, Empty room and Kebappizza Slibovitza are still in the running. Du behöver aldrig mer vara rädd, Razborka and Den första svalan were elminiated from thecompetition.

The results of the second round of voting:

Empty room is the first song in the final. Love in stereoand One lovego to andra chansen. Just a minute is the second song in the final.