Men are favorites – despite female dominance

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Men are favorites – despite female dominance
Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT

For the first time since 2009, there are more female than male finalists in Melodifestivalen. Despite this, three men are tipped as favourites. We should send a woman on International Women's Day, says Maja Ivarsson.

Twelve entries are competing in Saturday's final. Seven of them are performed by female artists, five by men.

However, according to the betting companies' lists of who is tipped to win the competition, veteran Måns Zelmerlöw is at the top, followed by sauna gang Kaj, who in turn is followed by Greczula.

A little change is due, says Maja Ivarsson.

She thinks that Sweden has sent too many polished pop numbers to Eurovision and that the audience is ready to see something new.

It should be me, Meira or Scarlet who goes to Basel. It's time we send a different type of artist. And we should send a woman, on International Women's Day.

At 45 years old, she is also the oldest finalist, something she sees as an advantage.

I only get better with age, like a red wine. And I don't get as nervous, like many others do, she says.

"Perfect in Eurovision"

Scarlet themselves also think that their own number belongs in Eurovision.

We stand out in Melodifestivalen, but the entry fits perfectly in Eurovision. It's our greatest strength.

Scarlet participated in the last qualifying round and feels that it can be positive, despite having had little time to polish their performance before Saturday.

The fact that we've had a short time has probably been good. We never lost focus, we're still in the feeling from last week.

One who has had more time to polish their performance is Klara Hammarström. Time she has spent on updating her stage clothes.

If it's the final, then it is. I've polished all the details I can, including the clothes.

Breaking the pattern

She has been a finalist twice before and landed in sixth place both times. Now she hopes to break the pattern.

I always want to do better. Now I'm aiming as high as I can and hope it goes well, she says.

She describes the competition as tough, considering that the entries are so different.

The biggest threat may be the one you don't expect to be a threat. There are several numbers that aren't talked about as much that could surprise, she says.

When Meira Omar participated in the qualifying round in Luleå, a cameraman accidentally fell off the stage, which affected the TV images of her performance.

It's clear that SVT has taken measures to ensure it doesn't happen again. We've moved the number back a bit on the stage so there's more margin. Now I feel like we have control.

John Lundvik – "Voice of the silent"

Dolly Style – "Yihaa"

Greczula – "Believe me"

Klara Hammarström – "On and on and on"

Scarlet – "Sweet n' psycho"

Erik Segerstedt – "Show me what love is"

Maja Ivarsson – "Kamikaze life"

Meira Omar – "Hush hush"

Måns Zelmerlöw – "Revolution"

Saga Ludvigsson – "Hate you so much"

Annika Wickihalder – "Life again"

Kaj – "Bara bada bastu"

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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