However, the pressure on the ten artists in the Melodifestivalen final has risen immensely on Friday as numerous newspapers, radio-stations and TV broadcasters wanted interviews and photo-sessions. Furthermore, the first general rehearsal had to be attended last night in front of an almost fully-filled Globen Arena in Stockholm. There was no reason to worry though as the enthusiastic crowd gave lots of support to their favourite artists who will appear in the following order tonight:
Charlotte Perrelli- Hero
Sibel - That Is Where I'll Go
Rongedal - Just A Minute
Linda Bengtzing - Hur Svårt Kan Det Va?
Christer Sjögren - I Love Europe
Amy Diamond - Thank You
Sanna Nielsen - Empty Room
Nordman - I Lågornas Sken
Frida featuring Headline - Upp O Hoppa
BWO - Lay Your Love On Me
The betting agencies have singled out Charlotte Perrelli - winner of the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest - as the top favourite followed by Sanna Nielsen - who will participate for the fifth time in a Swedish national final - and BWO - who came second in the 2006 Melodifestivalen - as favourites. However, another act could surprise as the winner will be decided by 50% juryvote and 50% televote. For the juryvote, juries in 11 Swedish cities will assemble to find their favourites. In 2006 and 2007, both the juries and the televote agreed about the best song, but it will be interesting to see if this will also be the case tonight!
Melodifestivalen 2008 will start at 20:00 CET on Swedish TV and it will also be streamed live on SVT's website for foreign fans. Sweden will participate in the second Semi-Final for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest which will take place on the 22nd of May in the Belgrade Arena.
