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Sweden: Rehearsals are underway!

13 March 2008 at 22:19 CET

After five exciting qualification heats for Melodifestivalen 2008, all the ten acts being left in the selection have high hopes of being victorious on Saturday and being the Swedish representatives in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade. According to experts, the field is wide open even if some artists were named more often than others!

Charlotte Perrelli, winner of the 1999 Eurovision Song Contest, was the first to rehearse and gave a convincing rehearsal of her catchy popsong Hero. Many Swedish experts think that she might be the country's best choice for this year's contest.

Sibel, even if unsuccessful in Swedish Pop Idol several years ago, got a fresh start for her career when qualifying for the final in the Second Chance round last week in Kiruna. Her dramatic ballad That Is Where I'll go was faultlessly presented on the stage of the impressive Globen Arena in Stockholm. 

Rongedal, the two twin brothers, felt at ease on stage performing Just A Minute. The brothers had beaten 1991 Eurovision Song Contest winner Carola in the second Swedish semi-final three weeks ago and they hope to score a big hit with their infectious song which reminds in parts of Mika's hits during the last few months.

Linda Bengtzing had been a fan favourite in her two first performances in the 2005 and 2006 Swedish selections, and this time, she would really like to get the trophy in her third attempt. Her charming performance of Hur Svårt Kan Det Va? surprised many of the present journalists and she might be one to watch out on Saturday!

Christer Sjögren has been one of the most experienced singer in the Swedish music-scene for more than 30 years, but it's the first time ever he competes in Melodifestivalen. His happy I Love Europe has found many fans and even one of the most popular Swedish morning shows has urged its listeners to vote for Christer.

Amy Diamond, the youngest participant in this year's Melodifestivalen with just 15 years of age gave a bouncy performance of Thank You. Amy is popular with Swedish children and teenagers and it's not unlikely that she will get the majority of their votes.

Sanna Nielsen - with her amazing voice - takes part for the fifth time in a Swedish national final, but this year, it'll be the first time she'll sing in English. Her vocal performance of her ballad Empty Room was outstanding today and most of the journalists being present in the hall rate her as a strong contender for the Melodifestivalen trophy!

Nordman only qualified through the Second Chance round which was shown on Swedish TV last Saturday. Their song I Lågornas Sken has very interesting lyrics about a witch-burning centuries ago and the song is impressively staged on the Globen stage. It differs a lot from the other nine songs and that might be an incentive for viewers to televote for it!

Frida featuring Headline have arguably the happiest song in this year's strong line-up. There is a summery vibe to Upp O Hoppa and Frida is seen as one of the most promising young artists in Sweden. Her singing and Headline's rapping will probably appeal a lot to the young generation.

The dance-stomper Lay Your Love On Me sung by BWO will give a sensational ending to the ten songs being presented in the Swedish final in Stockholm. Using lots of pyrotechnics, the charismatic lead singer Martin Rolinski performs the song faultlessly and the group hopes to improve their result of the Swedish national final of 2006 when they came second.

The rehearsals have ended for today and Eurovision.tv's Alain Douit and Andreas Schacht will now be off for the opening reception which Swedish TV will organise in the Stockholm city hall and all ten artists will be present there. Stay with us for more information soon!