The UMK 2018 press conference is now over! Today, the Finnish national broadcaster, YLE, unveiled plenty about the country’s forthcoming Eurovision national final, but what more do we know?

Hosted by the official hosts of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), Krista Siegfrids and Mikko Silvennoinen, revealed some “juicy news” regarding their 2018 final, with Siegfrids confirming that they believe that Finland can win next year’s Eurovision!

Saara Aalto to represent Finland!

2018 sees a huge reform to the forthcoming Finnish national final: Rather than 10 acts competing for the right to represent the nation at the Eurovision Song Contest, this year will only see 1 artist competing for that right.

Exciting confirmed by the hosting duo, it has today been confirmed that Saara Aalto will be representing Finland at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, becoming the first ever internally selected artist for Finland! But then… what about UMK 2018?

Well, 2018 will see Aalto being the only artist competing in UMK 2018, but she will compete with a total of 3 entries.

Both the public and international jury will vote for their favourite entry for the national final, with the song receiving the highest voting percentage going on to represent the nation at Eurovision 2018.

Speaking of her forthcoming selection, Aalto revealed:

I know that, to me, this journey will be awesome and great no matter what happens in the race. Of course, we start with the attitude that we can win Eurovision – or come second! That’s where I always succeed, there’s no doubt about it.

There won’t be any of that “let’s just throw in something” vibe. Every detail will be thoroughly thought out and delivered to the maximum. This is going to be a superb experience for the whole of Finland! I have a strong Finnish and international team with me, together we’re able to make great things happen.

From Finland to the UK and back

Aalto is certainly no stranger to the Finnish national selection process, having previously tried to represent her home nation on a total of 2 occasions: in 2011 and in 2016.

Her international breakthrough came last year shortly after her previous UMK participation, when she auditioned for the UK version of the X Factor.

The Finnish star managed to take herself right through to the X Factor final, eventually finishing as runner-up. However it didn’t end there for Aalto, as she went on to sign with an international record label.

Now living in London with her fiancé, rumours were recently spread regarding her potential participation in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest, but as a representative for the United Kingdom. The singer was allegedly in talks with the British national broadcaster, BBC, however those rumours are now diminished following today’s big announcement!

Final on 3 March

The date of UMK 2018 was also confirmed this morning, with the Finnish national final all set to take place on the 3 March. Tickets will go on sale next week with more details expected in the coming days.

What do you think of the UMK 2018 reform? Are you excited to see Saara Aalto representing Finland at Eurovision 2018?