Melodifestivalen 2018 International Jury announced by SVT

We are just four songs and ten days away from the Melodifestivalen 2018 final, taking place in Stockholm on Saturday 10th March. Today, SVT have confirmed the 11 international juries that will have their say in selecting the Swedish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018.

For the first time, Albania, Georgia and Portugal will vote

Since 2009, the international juries have had a part to play in the selection of the Swedish entry for Eurovision. This will be the tenth edition which involves a set of international juries. Over these ten years, only France and the United Kingdom have appeared in over 80% of the contests. Both countries return to give their vote again this year.
Joining these experienced nations in having their say on the Swedish Eurovision entry, three countries make their first appearance. Albania, Georgia and Portugal all make their début as part of the Melodifestivalen international jury in 2018.
Australia return for their third appearance in as many years whilst Poland also appear for the second successive year. Iceland returns for the first time since 2013 whilst Armenia will make their third appearance since 2015.
The final two juries are fairly experienced in influencing the result of Melodifestivalen; Italy make their fifth appearance since 2013 and Cyprus returns for its sixth appearance since 2009.

Four more songs to be selected for the Melodifestivalen 2018 final this weekend

Making its penultimate stop, the Melodifestivalen tour has arrived at Kristianstad for this weekend’s Andra chansen round. With eight competing entries going head to head for the final four spots in the final, this year’s second chance round is likely to be as competitive as ever.
The duels that will decide the final four finalists are:

Duel 1

Margaret – “In My Cabana”  vs
Moncho – “Cuba Libre”

Duel 2

Renaida – “All the Feels” vs
Olivia Eliasson – “Never Learn”

Duel 3

Felix Sandman – “Every Single Day” vs
Mimi Werner – “Songburning”

Duel 4

Sigrid Bernson – “Patrick Swayze” vs
Méndez – “Everyday”
Who do you think will come through Andra chansen to take their place in the Grand Final of Melodifestivalen 2018 next weekend? Let us know in the comments below and on social media @ESCXTRA.