Welcome to the last week of semi finals before visiting next week’s Andra Chansen (Second Chance).  This week we visit the Gavlerinken in Gävle to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March.  Gina Dirawi will be joined by Sarah Dawn Finer this week for hosting duties.

The fourth semi-final is packed full of returning participants but there are a few debut artists as well which make cause some upsets tonight.

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1 Eclipse “Runaways” – Predict Andra Chansen

This hard rock group has been going since 1999 and have released 6 albums so far.  Their lead singer, Erik Mårtensson, has written their debut Melodifestivalen entry “Runaways.”  The song is a typical rock number by very much a catchy one that you could sing along to after one listen.  I think it is good enough tocarry on in the competition as their performance is solid but is it really Eurovision?

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2 Dolly Style “Rollercoaster” – Predict Andra Chansen

Who could forget “Hello Hi”, Dolly Style’s debut last year which just missed out on a place in the final.  With only one of the three original members, Dolly Style is back this year with “Rollercoaster.”  The is song is everything that Bubblegum Pop should be, instantly catchy, sickeningly sweet and repetitive but I feel the song and performance is missing something.  Although with their popularity they should easily progress to Andra Chansen again this year.

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3 Martin Stenmarck “Du Tar Mig Tillbaks” (You Take Me Back) – Predict 7th Place

Former Melodifestivalen winner, Stenmarck is back for his third attempt with a Swedish language ballad.  The only issue here the song feels dated and feels like an old Irish entry that has been translated.  Compare that with a lacklustre performance and you go home unfortunately.  This is Stenmarck’s weakest entry to date and will be very surprised if places higher than last.

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4 Linda Bengtzing “Killer Girl” – Predict 6th Place

I’m not sure if the semi final is about weak entries for returning artist or what but here we are again with Linda Bengtzing, sixth time entrant with possibly her weakest entry to date as well. “Killer Girl” has the potential to have been a Schlager classic but it just feels a bit recycled with an attempt to update the Schlager sound.  I think she will struggle to qualify even with her fan base.

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5 Frans “If I Were Sorry” – Predict Finalist

Known for his football anthems, Frans has had little experience in the mainstream arena.  His debut Melodifestivalen entry, “If I Were Sorry” has a real message behind the song and Frans delivers it with passion.  One of the surprise favourites tonight due to his near spotless rehearsal could very well qualify for the final amongst so many big names.  Although not my favourite style of music, I must give him credit as he has a song that could very well change his career.

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6 Panetoz “Håll Om Mig Hårt” (Hold Me Tight) – Predict 5th Place

Panetoz are back after a year break with their new entry “Håll Om Mig Hårt” which is stylistically like their music and first entry “Efter Solsken”, which finished in 9th place, but it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table.  Their boy band African style dance fusion has done well in Sweden and even gave them a number one but they haven’t since matched that success.  Tonight I feel that they won’t be making any further accomplishments to their career.

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7 Molly Sandén “Youniverse” – Predict Finalist

So onto the favourite, not only of the semi final but of the whole contest.  Molly Sandén has participated twice before and has gone direct to the final both times.  Why should the former Miss Eric Saade, now Miss Danny Saucedo, not qualify tonight as well.  The song leaked due to a site giving a presale clip of the single but SVT allowed all the songs to be available for 24 hours to make it fair.  Her rehearsal has been criticised but it was always going to be as she is the one everyone is watching.  The song was co-written by her and Saucedo and I think the performance is good enough to get her direct to the final without worry.

What do you think?