The first to be voted to the final in Friends Arena was Erik Segerstedt, who is competing for the first time as a solo artist, with the contribution "Show me what love is".
I had it somewhere on my mind maybe, but I never really dared to hope, says Erik Segerstedt to TT.
I'm really overjoyed and full of gratitude.
Klara Hammarström's 3D-printed Greek breastplate had malfunctioned during the week. But when it mattered, everything worked as it should – and she also made it to the final.
It's a sick feeling to get to go out in a Scandinavium full of wonderful fans and people, she says afterwards.
I can't be happier than I am right now.
The contribution that placed third was Kaliffa with "Salute". He will compete in the final qualifying round in Jönköping for a place in the final.
It was tough competition, so I'm really pleased with the podium spot. And Klara, she's loved by everyone – especially all the kids, he says.
Nostalgia opening
Melodifestivalen offered, in addition to Piteå-country and afrobeat-choir, a 40-year journey back in time. Hairspray, indoor smoking, and Harald Treutiger opened this week's qualifying round.
Welcome to the qualifying round for the European Championship, said Edvin "Loffe" Törnblom.
Before the actual program, the victims of the mass shooting in Örebro on Tuesday and their relatives were honored.
Our thoughts are with you, said Keyyo in the broadcast.
The decor had, at the beginning of Melodifestivalen's qualifying round in Gothenburg, been transformed into a copy of the stage image from a typical Melodifestivalen in the late 1980s.
Jokes about everything from Cyndee Peters to how much older 35-year-olds looked poured in, and as the crowning glory, Lotta Engberg and Triple & Touch reunited and performed "100 %" from Melodifestivalen 1988.
Harald Treutiger also got to make a short but acclaimed appearance.
Edvin Törnblom then did an intense interval act about the difficulties of getting straight men to watch the program.
In the number, the comedian used all the tricks to attract the difficult target group: wolf jacket, Glenn Hysén by the grill, Ferry Svan, and Brandsta City Släckers.
Last year's winners Marcus & Martinus then made an entrance to the tones of a marching band, to hand over the songbird statuette that the winner receives in the final.
You can simply say that it's been an "Unforgettable" year, said Marcus.
Directly to the final:
Erik Segerstedt – "Show me what love is"
Klara Hammarström – "On and on”
To the final qualifying round:
Kaliffa – "Salute"
Eliminated:
Nomi Tales – "Funniest thing"
Schlagerz – "Don Juan"
Fredrik Lundman – "The heart of a Swedish cowboy"
