The first semi-final of Melodifestivalen, the hugely popular Swedish music festival whose winner gets to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest, has just ended. Two acts were voted directly to the final and two will try again in the Andra Chansen (Second Chance) round on 1 March.

The 8 participants competing tonight were:

  1. YOHIO  To the end
  2. Mahan MoinAleo
  3. Linus Svenning – Bröder
  4. Elisa LindströmCasanova
  5. Alvaro EstrellaBedroom
  6. Ellen BenediktsonSongbird
  7. Sylvester SchlegelBygdens son
  8. Helena PaparizouSurvivor

Straight to the Grand Final on 8 March:

  • YOHIO  To the end
  • Ellen BenediktsonSongbird

Straight to Andra Chansen on 1 March:

  • Linus SvenningBröder
  • Helena PaparizouSurvivor

The Swedish selection consists of 6 rounds. Three more semifinals will be held in the same format as tonight. After all semi-finals, the 3rd and 4th placed acts from each semifinal will compete in the Andra Chansen (second chance) round and the top 2 acts from Andra Chansen will proceed to the final . The final will be held on 8 March at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, where a total of 10 acts will battle for the golden ticket to Copenhagen.

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for the latest news on Melodifestivalen, Sweden and the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.

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