This is Greczula's debut in Melodifestivalen. His faith in himself and the song "Believe me" took him all the way to the final.
It feels completely fantastic, a little unreal. I've seen it within myself, dared to dream that it would happen. But now that it's happening, it still feels a little unreal, says Greczula, who has been the big favorite since the start, to TT.
I tried not to think too much and just accept what's happening, and just feel gratitude for being here.
Kristofer Greczula grew up in Falkenberg and made the decision to focus wholeheartedly on music at an early age. Over the years, he has released several singles and in 2022, his debut album "Live and let live" was released.
The qualifying round in Västerås has been called one of the most difficult to predict. It was an even starting field, where only Annika Wickihalder and Malou Prytz had previously been in the final.
"Going to the after-party"
During the evening, Wickihalder's name rose to second place among the betting companies – which got it right.
Now I'm going to celebrate with my loved ones who are here, and go to the after-party, she says.
Last year, Annika Wickihalder made her debut in the competition and went to the final via the qualifying round. Now, it's Dolly Style who gets to qualify with the song "Yihaa". Wickihalder says she thought it would be the other way around.
So as soon as they called out their name, it was pandemonium in the arena. And I saw how everyone was looking at them, the kids were completely ecstatic. So for me, they were obvious finalists.
Joked about Loreen
In the introduction, Edvin Törnblom stated that Loreen – who is from Västerås – had cancelled her performance at short notice and that they had therefore had to call in Eva Rydberg instead.
No one will notice any difference, he said.
Then 90's star Pandora took over the stage and performed her hit "Trust me". Later in the broadcast, Edvin Törnblom's partner Johanna Nordström, from Västerås, also appeared – but as a joke at her own expense, where she had to sit quietly in favor of a "bigger local celebrity" – the local pizzeria owner.
During the evening, Sanna Nielsen was inducted into Melodifestivalen's Hall of Fame and she got to perform a medley of her songs from the competition's history – including the song "Empty room" from 2008, sitting at a grand piano out in the audience.
Directly to the final:
Greczula – "Believe me"
Annika Wickihalder – “Life again”
To the final qualifying round:
Dolly Style – "Yihaa"
Eliminated:
Malou Prytz – "24 k gold"
Björn Holmgren – "Rädda mig"
Angelino – “Teardrops”
