Melodifestivalen: Salem Al Fakir and Ola qualify for final

This week's first semi-final of the 2010 Melodifestivalen saw many newcomers who hadn't participated in Sweden's most popular show before, but there were also some familiar faces to be seen. Among those, we could find Jessica Andersson who had already won Melodifestivalen before: in 2003, she proved to be victorious as one half of the duo Fame who then went on to represent Sweden in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest in Riga where she reached a respectable 5th place. Another old acquaintance in this week's Melodifestivalen was Ola who took part in 2008 and narrowly missed out a final spot.

The 8 participants tonight nervously awaiting the verdict of the Swedish audience were the following (qualifiers in bold):

• Ola - Unstoppable
  
  
• Jenny Silver - A Place To Stay 
• Linda Pritchard - You're Making Me Hot-Hot-Hot
  
  
• Pain Of Salvation - Road Salt
  
  
• Anders Ekborg - The Saviour
  
  
• Jessica Andersson - I Did It For Love
  
  
• Frispråkarn - Singel
  
  
• Salem Al Fakir - Keep On Walking
  
  

Pain of Salvation and Jessica Andersson shouldn't despair though as they will have another chance to qualify in the so-called Andra Chansen - a second chance round which will take in 4 weeks from now on the 6th of March in Örebro.

Next week, the Melodifestivalen circus will move to Sandviken where 8 more artists will have a chance to grab a spot for the final.

Sweden managed to reach the final of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest with Malena Ernman's La Voix which was ultimately placed 21st.

Before the semi-final, Eurovision.tv had the possibility of talking to Måns Zelmerlöw, one of this year's hosts for Melodifestivalen alongside Christine Meltzer and Hollywood actor Dolph Lundgren. Måns is no stranger to the Melodifestivalen stage having competed in 2007 and 2009, but this year, he has swapped roles and is presenting Sweden's biggest TV event. Check out what he's got to say!