E-Type & The Poodles	Winner heat 1	To the finale
Sibel
Ola	Winner heat 2
Caracola
Nordman	Winner heat 3	To the finale
Johnson & Häggkvist
Thérèse Andersson	Winner heat 4
Suzzie Tapper

Heat 1: E-Type & The Poodles - "Line of Fire" vs. Sibel - "That's Where I Go"
Heat 2: Ola - "Love in Stereo" vs. Caracola - "Smiling in Love"
Heat 3: Nordman - "I lågornas sken" vs. Johnson & Häggkvist - "One Love"
Heat 4: Thérèse Andersson - "When You Need Me" vs. Suzzie Tapper - "Visst finns mirakel"

The winners of heat 1 and heat 2 will then compete against each other, just like the winners of heat 3 and heat 4.

For Carola and Andreas Johnson, this means they will first compete against Nordman, and if they win they will have to compete against either Thérèse Andersson or Suzzie Tapper to be able to reach this year's finale of the Swedish Song Contest.

Charlotte Perelli and Linda Bengtzing won the fourth semi-finale Photo: Aftonbladet

Charlotte Perelli's "Hero" and Linda Bengtzing's "Hur svårt kan det va?" qualified to the finale from the fourth and last semi-finale of the Swedish Song Contest 2008. Nordman's "I lågornas sken" and Sibel's "That's Where I'll Go" will compete in Andra Chansen (Second Chance) on March 8.

Nordman will challenge Carola & Andreas Johnson in the first heat. More about the details soon!

BWO and Frida feat. Headline won the third semi-finale Photo: Aftonbladet

BWO's "Lay Your Love On Me" and Frida feat. Headline's "Upp o hoppa" qualified to the finale from the third semi-finale of the Swedish Song Contest. Thérèse Andersson's "When You Need Me" and Caracola's "When You Need Me" will compete with Carola and Andreas Johnson in Andra Chansen (Second Chance) on March 8.

Although they did not qualify directly to the Swedish Song Contest finale, Carola and Andreas are not discouraged. "We did our best performance tonight", Andreas says in an interview with Aftonbladet.

Watch and listen to interviews by clicking the links below.

Video: Interview in Aftonbladet
Audio: Radio interview from SR P4

Sanna Nielsen and Rongedal won the second semi-finale Photo: Aftonbladet

The Swedish people voted in record numbers. More than 752 000 votes. That's more than in any other semi-finale. Ever.

But, Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love" did NOT qualify to the finale! They will get another chance to reach the finale through in "Andra Chansen" in Kiruna on March 8.

To the finale: Sanna Nielsen's "Empty Room" and Rongedal's "Just a Minute". To the second chance: Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love" and Ola's "Love in Stereo".

If you don't live in Sweden, but want to watch Carola and Andreas Johnson perform "One Love" in the Swedish Song Contest, you can click the link below and watch the live telecast online.

Link: Watch the Swedish Song Contest live

Foto: Peter Wixström, Aftonbladet

Yesterday, Carola and Andreas Johnson performed "One Love" both at a rehearsal in the day, and at the first dress rehearsal with audience. This is what some media reported from the rehearsals.

Markus Larsson, Aftonbladet:

"'One Love' is something rare. It is a successful hybrid of two different temperaments. And both Carola and Andreas do everything in their power to present the strenghts of their song; the melody and the chorus. This is the Swedish Song Contest after all. 'One Love' has several big moments. Listen to the audience scream when he enters the stage in between the flickering TV-sets and sings his first lines. Or when the duo stand back to back and get ready for the finale. Or when they, just before the end, look each other in the eyes. Will we see anything like it again? Not anytime soon."

Anders Nunstedt, Expressen:

"Carola can't help herself. Tonight our biggest star will hijack the Swedish Song Contest again. And she does it with incredible finesse. 'One Love' is brilliant. The only thing you might complain about it that there is no suspense in this competition. The result is already clear: Johnson & Häggkvist will be the big winners tonight. Anything else would be a shock, if not a scandal. (...) The super-duo has everything. A super-song, a super-show, and super-support."

Link: Read article 1 in Aftonbladet
Link: Read article 2 in Aftonbladet
Link: Read article in Expressen

Foto: Johanna Larsson, SVT / SCANPIX

Yesterday, Carola and Andreas Johnson performed "One Love" both at a rehearsal in the day, and at the first dress rehearsal with audience. This is what some media reported from the rehearsals.

Anders Nunstedt, Expressen:

"They're at it again, the rascals. And I got goose bumps again. Carola
and Andreas are rehearsing 'One Love', a song that I think can surprise
everyone."

Edward af Sillén, Gyllene Skor:

"Carola & Andreas totally crush the competition. They are in a class of their own. Carola & Andreas! Johnson & Häggkvist! There isn't many artists who can stand next to Carola on a stage and maintain their status without being completely run over by her. One of the biggest stars in the world - Liza Minnelli - couldn't do it. But Andreas can. He is cool and composed... He is not run over. This IS a duo. The fact that everbody is ONLY looking at Carola is another thing... Andreas might be talented, but he is still human. Carola on the other hand! What can I say? She is God! When she got feeling (...) she raised the roof. And there wasn't even any audience there, except some technicians, people from the record labels and 20 journalists. Wait till tonight. He will explode like a vulcano over the enthusiastic audience. I cannot wait!"

Johan Rylander, Göteborgsposten:

"The song is... ok. But Andreas Johnson is brilliant. This is his big
moment in the Swedish Song Contest, not Carola's. She is more of his sidekick. Cause to be honest, she doesn't bring much to the song, except in the vocally powerful finale. They are brilliant on stage."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Anders Nunstedt's blog on Expressen
Link: Edward af Sillén's blog on Gyllene Skor
Link: Johan Rylander's article in Göteborgsposten

Carola and Andreas Johnson interviewed by TT Spektra

In between rehearsals yesterday, Carola and Andreas gave several interviews with different TV and newspapers. Watch some of the interviews below.

Video: Watch Nöjesnytt Swedish Song Contest Special
Video: Interview from SVT.se
Video: Interviews from TT Spektra Nöjesnytt

This is the tracklisting of the upcoming single "One Love" with Johnson & Häggkvist. 01. One Love 02. Lucky Star 03. One Love (Worktape) 04. Lucky Star (Accoustic Demo) 05. One Love (SoundFactory Club Anthem) 06. One Love (SoundFactory Big Dub Version) 07. One Love (SoundFactory Remix Radio Edit) 08. One Love (SoundFactory Remix A Version) Link: Pre-order "One Love" from CDON

Today at 4.30 pm (Swedish time), the radio show "Lantz i P4" will play one minute clips of all the songs competing in the second semi-finale of the Swedish Song Contest on Saturday. At 3.00 pm the clips will be available on both sr.se and svt.se/mello. Don't miss this chance to catch a sneak peek at Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love".

Link: "Lantz i P4" website
Link: SVT's Swedish Song Contest website
Link: SR P4's Swedish Song Contest website

Foto: Christian Örnberg, Expressen / Karolina Jonason, SVT

When Carola and Andreas Johnson rehearsed on stage in front of the Swedish media, the reactions were big. Andreas Nunstedt wrote on his blog; "We have a winner".

Anders Nunstedt, Expressen:

"And so Andreas Johnson and Carola Häggkvist stepped into the arena and blew away all competition. The song grows approximately 287% when it's performed live. Very good. Very convincing. Who in the world can stop these two from winning the Swedish Song Contest? Who? Happy Valentine's Carola and Andreas."

Edward af Sillén, Gyllene Skor:

"Dear readers: I suggest you would remember this name: Carola! I think she can go far. The underdog of the week! All kidding aside, the competition heated up when Carola & Andreas (or Johnson & Häggkvist) walked on stage! This is no game! Winning or losing! Nothing in between! On stage, the duo is surrounded by more than 30 TV-sets, standing on top each each other and showing images symbolizing... yes, love! (...) And in the end of the song, in the key change (surprise) a gigantic set of spotlights is lowered down behind the duo and blinds the audience in warm light. THAT'S effective! (...) What a finale. (...) How can I describe the song... probably the same way everybody else is describing it; It sounds like U2! Mixed with rock concert and hit music radio, but with harmonies and a key change. People will like this."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Anders Nunstedt's blog on Expressen
Link: Edward af Sillén's blog on Gyllene Skor

Photo: Tommy Svensson / Karolina Jonason, SVT

Yesterday, all artists that participates in the second semi-finale of the Swedish Song Contest met journalists at a press conference. Of course the attention was centered around Carola and Andreas Johnson. See some videos from the press conference by clicking the links below.

Web-TV: Aftonbladet's video from press conference 1
Web-TV: Aftonbladet's video from press conference 2
Web-TV: Expressen's video from press conference
Web-TV: Video from press conference
Web-TV: Video from press conference

Carola and Andreas Johnson are being interviewed during breakfast at the hotel. Photo: SR P4

Swedish radio station P4 follow the Swedish Song Contest closely. This morning they interviewed Carola and Andreas during breakfast. Listen to the interview by clicking the link below.

Audio: Listen to the interview

The bettin firm Svenska Spel has lowered the odds to 1.01 for betting on Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love" as the winner of the second semi-finale of the Swedish Song Contest on Saturday. That means that if you bet 1,000 sek on "One Love" you will only win 10 sek.

Photo: Sven Lindwall, Expressen / Peter Wixström, Aftonbladet

Today at 5.15 pm (Swedish time), Carola and Andreas will rehearse their "One Love" on stage for the first time. Lots of media will be there. Let's hope Carola's voice is in good shape.

Yesterday, the press could listen to the songs competing in the Swedish Song Contest this weekend. These are the first reactions to Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love":

Torbjörn Ek, Aftonbladet

"The song starts with Carola singing, before Andreas Johnson joins in. This actually sounds more like Andreas than Carola, and that might be because Peter Kvint, Andreas song writing partner, co-wrote the song.

This song doesn't feel as 'direct' as Carola's 'Evighet'. I think 'One Love' will be more appreciated by Andreas fans, which means it will be doing good. The fact that Carola does her thing vocally at the end will definately take it to the finale in Stockholm.

It sounds like 60's pop, just like Andreas' songs in the Swedish Song Contest the last two years, and far from Carola's previous songs. But it is better than 'Lucky Star' that is played on the radio right now."

Markus Larsson, Aftonbladet:

"The song is like a well made cocktail of U2 and classic Eurovision music. The Globe Arena is not big enough to hold its chorus.

It's good. It's verty good.

If there is chemistry between the stars, this can be a fantastic number.

After we listened to 'One Love', the room goes quiet.

– Peter Kvint... what a guy, says Aftonbladet's reporter Strömberg and closes his notepad.

– When is the flight to Belgrade, I ask and check my watch."

Anders Nunstedt, Expressen:

"'One Love' sounds exactly as expected. Enjoyable mini-Bono-rock, with no emotions, until Carola explodes towards the songs finale."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Torbjörn Ek's Swedish Song Contest blog
Link: Markus Larsson's article
Link: Anders Nunstedt's article

Carola has had a bad cold for some time, and her voice is not in perfect condition as we are getting closer to the Swedish Song Contest. Hopefully, she will recover until Saturday.

Johnson & Häggkvist's upcoming single "One Love" will be released on March 20 according to Ginza.se. The single will include both "One Love" from the Swedish Song Contest and the duo's current single "Lucky Star". According to reports there will be remixes of "One Love" made by SoundFactory and accoustic versions of both songs that were recorded this week. Link: Pre-order "One Love" from Ginza

Yesterday, the press could listen to the songs competing in the Swedish Song Contest this weekend. This is what Aftonbladet's Torbjörn Ek wrote in his blog about Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love":

"The song starts with Carola singing, before Andreas Johnson joins in. This actually sounds more like Andreas than Carola, and that might be because Peter Kvint, Andreas song writing partner, co-wrote the song.

This song doesn't feel as 'direct' as Carola's 'Evighet'. I think 'One Love' will be more appreciated by Andreas fans, which means it will be doing good. The fact that Carola does her thing vocally at the end will definately take it to the finale in Stockholm.

It sounds like 60's pop, just like Andreas' songs in the Swedish Song Contest the last two years, and far from Carola's previous songs. But it is better than 'Lucky Star' that is played on the radio right now."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Torbjörn Ek's Swedish Song Contest blog

Yesterday, Carola and Andreas Johnson arrived in Västerås where the second semi-finale of the Swedish Song Contest will take place on Saturday. They arrived by train from Stockholm, although Carola almost missed it...

Web-TV: Watch video from Aftonbladet

To vote for Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love" in the Swedish Song Contest on Saturday, you need these phone numbers:

099-23 008 (3,95 Sek / call)
099-32 008 (9,90 Sek / call, profit donated to charity)

Carola and Andreas Johnson in the recording studio on Monday. Photo: johnsonhaggkvist.com

On Monday February 12, Carola and Andreas Johnson were back in the studio to record accoustic versions of their single "Lucky Star" and the Swedish Song Contest song "One Love" for the upcoming single. This is from Andreas Johnson's website:

"I've started to feel really excited about this.... I just got back from a meeting with Camilla Thulin that helped me with some details on the outfit I will wear on Saturday.... (...) Tomorrow, when this is published, we have interviews scheduled with radio and newspapers, and after that we will go to the studio to record the b-side of the 'One Love' single....."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Andreas Johnson's official website
Link: Johnson & Häggkvist's official website

People are betting on the winners of this year's Swedish Song Contst. We have previously reported on the low odds for Johnson & Häggkvist from Svenska Spel, Betway, Nordic Bets, Unibet and Ladbrokes. Yesterday, the bettin firm Betsafe published their odds for what artists that will qualify from the second semi-finale on Saturday.

BETSAFE
Johnson & Häggkvist 1,03
Ola 1,80
Sanna Nielsen 2,05
Andra generationen 5,50
Alexander Schöld 6,50
The Nicole 7,00
Rongedal 9,00
Lasse Lindh 11,00

Carola and Andreas Johnson met Swedish media yesterday. Photo: Leif R Jansson/Scanpix

The promotion for Carola and Andreas Johnson's participation in the Swedish Song Contest this Saturday started yesterday with interviews with radio and newspapers.

One thing is for sure, Carola and Andreas enjoy each others company. Watch and listen to the interviews by clicking the links below, and you will hear lots of laughter.

When they are asked if they will use a fan like Carola did both in 1991 and 2006, they answer:

"We don't need a fan. This song doesn't need a fan. We have another surprise in store."

(Translation by Carola International)

Video: Watch Expressen interview
Video: Watch TT Spektra interview
Audio: Listen to interview in Morgonpasset
Link: Read article in Göteborgsposten

Swedish radio station P4 keep a lot of information about the Swedish Song Contest on their website. You can find an article an one radio interview with each artist in the competition. This week, the website has published the radio interviews with Johnson & Häggkvist and the others from Saturday's semi-finale.

On Friday, this website will publish 60 second snippets of all songs. Visit back on Friday for all information.

Audio: Listen to the interview
Link: SR P4' Swedish Song Contest website

Amy Diamond and Christer Sjögren are tonight's winners. Photo: Aftonbladet

Christer Sjögren's "I Love Europe" and Amy Diamond's "Thank You" qualified to the Swedish Song Contest finale on March 15. E-Type & The Poodles' "Line of Fire" and Suzzie Tapper's "Visst finns mirakel" gets another chance in Andra chansen.

Andreas Johnson is getting ready for the Swedish Song Contest. Photo: Suvad Mrkonjic / Expressen

Andreas Johnson gives an interview to Swedish newspaper Expressen about his song "One Love" that he will perform in the Swedish Song Contest with Carola next weekend. This is the third time Andreas participates in the Swedish Song Contest in three years. This is his comments:

"It feels odd to be back. Two years ago I could barely imagine taking part. But I am convinced that it was the song that brought us here. I believe in this song. (...) The Song Contest is a side project for both of us, and as such it brings a lot of energy to other projects."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Read article in Expressen

Carola and Andreas Johnson at a rehearsal for the Swedish Song Contest.
Photos: johnsonhaggkvist.com

Today it's two weeks until Johnson & Häggkvist competes in the Swedish Song Contest with "One Love", and the preparations are under way. So far, Carola and Andreas have rehearsed together twice. Yesterday, they posted an article and photos on their official website johnsonhaggkvist.com:

"Hope you had a good week. We did. But oh so much to do... Lots of decisions to be made about our performacne of One Love. Clothes, colors, and concept.... We want to give this fantastic song justice in every way. We've had the chance to rehears the performance twice in a dance studio in Stockholm. Well, it won't be much of dancing but rather staging, deciding positions and directions. It's good to know how to move on this big stage that we've only seen in pictures so far...

Since we started working on this project everything have felt so good - we have incredibly fun together! We can reveal that at the rehearsal today we were fooled around a lot, hihi..."

Read the article in full (in Swedish) on johnsonhaggkvist.com.

(Tranlation by Carola International)

Link: Johnson & Häggkvist's official website

All major betting firms hold Johnson & Häggkvist as winners of the Swedish Song Contest. We have previously reported the odds from Svenska Spel, Betway, Nordic Bets and Unibet. Here are the odds from Ladbrokes:

LADBROKES
Johnson & Häggkvist 3.00
Charlotte Perrelli 5.00
BWO 6.00

NOTE! When Carola competed in 2006, Ladbrokes gave up completely and stopped the betting on her as the winner. Instead people could bet on who would be no 2.

Yesterday, Andreas Johnson was a guest on "Go'kväll" on Swedish TV. He talked about two upcoming concerts he will perform with John Lennon's music, but of course he was also asked about the Swedish Song Contest. This is what he had to say:

"I feel pretty calm about the Swedish Song Contest. It comes with a lot of responsibility, but I don't have to do it all by myself this year... Me and Carola have had so much fun with the two songs we worked on together. I don't think there will be a continuation to our collaboration, but we will give it our all! It's just a couple of weeks to go. I need to find something to wear."

(Translation by Carola International)

Video: Watch "Go'kväll"

The dance music producers SoundFactory will remix Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love" that competes in the Swedish Song Contest this year. SoundFactory also created the remixes for Carola's 2006 Swedish Song Contest winner "Invincible".

Thanks to Peter Karlsson for the info

As reported on January 28, the 2xCD "Melodifestivalen 2008" will be released in Sweden on March 16. The album will include all 32 songs from this year's Swedish Song Contest including Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love". Later this year a DVD will also be released. Link: Pre-order 'Melodifestivalen 2008' from CDON

Johnson & Häggkvist - the official website

The new super duo Johnson & Häggkvist that will compete in the second semi-finale of the Swedish Song Contest in Västerås on February 16 has launched their own official website. On the website you can read news, info, blogs, listen to the new single "Lucky Star" and see several photos. To visit the site, just click the link below.

Link: Johnson & Häggkvist's official website

All songs that participates in this year's Swedish Song Contest will be released on the 2xCD "Melodifestivalen 2008" that is scheduled to be released in Sweden on March 16 (according to megastore.se). This of course includes Johnson & Häggkvist's "One Love" that competes in the second semi-finale in Västerås on February 16.

NOTE! This is not yet confirmed!

Andreas Johnson writes on his website that he was back in the studio last weekend to work on the single "One Love". He also shares his thoughts on an ongoing collaboration with Carola:

"This weekend I was in the studio to record some vocals and changing some of the lyrics for 'One Love'... after that the mixing of the song awaitens... many thoughts are running in my head at the moment... and that seems to be true for many people... ha ha... already the day after the press conference the speculations began about our collaboration and changes to win, odds etc. I get exhausted... just like I said somewhere... we got a good feeling... it's not more complicated than that! it felt fun and cool to sing the song together... and too good not to give this song a chance... but we didn't have, a do not have any longterm plans. not at the moment anyhow, ha ha..."

(Translation by Carola International)

Link: Andreas Johnson's website

SVT's official website for the Swedish Song Contest has been updated with photos, video and information about all the participants. Click the link below to visit Johnson & Häggkvist's page. JOHNSON & HÄGGKVIST - One Love Lyrics & music: Carola Häggkvist, Andreas Johnson, Peter Kvint Stamina 98% Boldness 86% Show 69% Icon 100% Beginners 0% The composers description of the song: A powerful, suggestive explosion of love and music. (Translation by Carola International) Link: SVT's website

We already reported the odds for Johnson & Häggkvist in the Swedish Song Contest 2008 from Svenska Spel, Betway and Nodic Bets. Now, Unibet has presented their odds on the results.

UNIBET

Q: Who will move to the finale from the second semi-finale?
Johnson & Häggkvist 1.05
Ola 1.95
Sanna Nielsen 1.95

Q: Which of the Jokers will reach the best position?
Johnson & Häggkvist 1.15
Amy Diamond 4.55
Eskobar 8.00
Niclas Strömstedt 25.00

Q: Who wins the Swedish Song Contest 2008?
Johnson & Häggkvist 2.50
E-Type & The Poodles 5.00
BWO 8.00

Link: Unibet's website

As soon as Johnson & Häggkvist were announced as wild cards in the Swedish Song Contest 2008, there reached the top on the betting charts for the win. This is very early though and the odds will change over time. In 2006, when Carola competed with "Evighet", one betting firm actually stopped people from betting on her as a way of not losing money.

SVENSKA SPEL
Johnson & Häggkvist 1.60
BWO 7.50
Charlotte Perrelli 7.50

BETWAY
Johnson & Häggkvist 2.00
E-Type & The Poodles 6.00
BWO 7.00

NORDIC BETS
Amy Diamond 3.50
Johnson & Häggkvist 4.00
E-Type & The Poodles 4.25

Johnson&Häggkvist at the press conference this morning.
Photos: SVT

Early this morning, even before the SVT press conference where the four wild cards (jokers) were supposed to be revealed, Carola's official website published a statement announcing that Carola and Andreas Johnson will participate in the Swedish Song Contest as the duo Johnson&Häggkvist. Their song is titled "One Love" and is written by Carola, Andreas Johnson and Peter Kvint.

Statement on carola.com:

"We're wishing love and happiness to everyone that listens to us. For that is what we feel when we sing this song together! And we hope as many as possible will experience the power in 'ONE LOVE'. I am so happy to work with Andreas and Peter Kvint that I am convinced will generate lots of musical collaborations in the future. It was when we tried to perform the song all alone on a stage that 'ONE LOVE' convinced us! Now we want to convince the audience...! :-) Join us on new, unexpected adventures. See you in Västerås!"

At 10.00 am the four wild cards were presented at a press conference, and it was the four acts that many had predicted: Johnson&Häggkvist, Amy Diamond, Eskobar, and Niklas Strömstedt.

Web-TV: Interview from the press conference

It will not be official until later today, but rumors claim that Carola and Andreas Johnson in fact will compete in the Swedish Song Contest 2008!

In the second semi-final in Västerås on February 16, the duo Johnson&Häggkvist will sing "One Love" according to Swedish newspaper Göteborgsposten.

NOTE! This is NOT yet confirmed! A press conference will be held today at 10.00 am.

Link: Read the article in Göteborgsposten

1983 - Främling (Sweden no 1 / Eurovision no 3)
1990 - Mitt i ett äventyr (Sweden no 2)
1991 - Fångad av en stormvind (Sweden no 1 / Eurovision no 1)
2006 - Evighet / Invincible (Sweden no 1 / Eurovision no 5)
2008 - One Love - in duet with Andreas Johnson ???

No Swedish artist have a more impressive history in the Swedish Song Contest! Carola competed in the Swedish Song Contest four times, of which she won three (in 1990 she was no 2). She won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1991, came in at no 3 in 1983 and no 5 in 2006.

Is she really coming back this year? Rumors say that Carola will sing "One Love" in a duet with her friend Andreas Johnson in the Swedish Song Contest 2008 - 25 years after her legendary breakthrough in the same contest!

Even though we don't know if these rumors are true, we will present these extra pages dedicated to the Swedish Song Contest 2008!

ENJOY!