Neither critics nor betting companies had counted on Saga Ludvigsson from Örby. But in Jönköping, she showed where the country's cabinet should stand.
It was, however, not without the 19-year-old, who has become second in "Idol", being noticeably shocked by going to the final on Strawberry Arena next weekend with "Hate you so much".
And the surprise sat for a long time afterwards.
I'll never deliver such bad interviews as I'm doing right now, because I'm not here, says Saga Ludvigsson to TT.
Saga Ludvigsson's first thought when her name was called out and announced that she had gone to the final?
"Now they've said wrong." And "what's happening?" Because I was convinced I wouldn't make it.
She states that it's "crazy" to have gone to the final.
I've really dreamed of getting to participate in this competition for so long – and to then get to take part, it's indescribable.
"Saga is so good"
Frightening rock duo Scarlet, who stood for the evening's perhaps most spectacular number when they performed among chains and dancing BDSM ghosts, were favorite-tipped in Jönköping – and are also clear for the final.
They were almost as happy for Saga Ludvigsson's sake as for their own.
Saga is so good, we really wanted to go to the final with Saga, says the vampire-made-up Thirsty.
Last year, it stopped in the final qualifying round, but this year it will be the final for Scarlet.
I think people appreciate a show and that this can have its place in the European Championship, says the skeleton-made-up Scarlet Hunts.
Dolly Style and Meira Omar to the final
Last in the qualifying round in Jönköping, this year's final qualifying round was decided. From the gang, Dolly Style and Meira Omar took possession of the two last final spots.
Dolly Style was in Melodifestivalen for the fourth time – and reached the final for the first time.
We've worked and toured and fought so much and never gone to the final. We needed this, says member Yolly.
Meira Omar competed in the first qualifying round in Luleå, and got the very last final ticket from the final qualifying round with clearly the most points.
The response I've gotten has been overwhelming. I've never dared to dream of something like this, says she.
Those who were eliminated in Jönköping were Arvingarna ("Ring baby ring"), Arwin ("This dream of mine") who went to the final qualifying round, Victoria Silvstedt ("Love it!") and Vilhelm Buchaus ("I'm yours").
Directly to the final:
Saga Ludvigsson – "Hate you so much"
Scarlet – "Sweet n' psycho"
To the final qualifying round:
Arwin – "This dream of mine"
Eliminated:
Arvingarna – "Ring baby ring"
Victoria Silvstedt – "Love it!"
Vilhelm Buchaus – "I'm yours"
Further from the final qualifying round:
Dolly Style – "Yihaa"
Meira Omar – "Hush hush"
Eliminated in the final qualifying round:
Ella Tiritiello – "Bara du är där"
Kaliffa – "Salute"
Arwin – "This dream of mine"
From the qualifying round in Luleå:
Maja Ivarsson – "Kamikaze life"
John Lundvik – "Voice of the silent"
From the qualifying round in Göteborg:
Erik Segerstedt – "Show me what love is"
Klara Hammarström – "On and on and on"
From the qualifying round in Västerås:
Greczula – "Believe me"
Annika Wickihalder – "Life again"
From the qualifying round in Malmö:
Måns Zelmerlöw – "Revolution"
KAJ – "Bara bada bastu"
From the qualifying round in Jönköping:
Saga Ludvigsson: "Hate you so much"
Scarlet: "Sweet n' psycho"
From the final qualifying round in Jönköping:
Dolly Style – "Yihaa"
Meira Omar – "Hush hush"
