Sweden

Sweden
Artist - Eric Saade
Song - Popular
Draw - Semi-Final 2, Place 8

Eric Saade was born in 1990, in Kattarp, to a Swedish mother and Lebanese father. In 2007, he took part in a competition to find a new Swedish boy band. He made it to the final, and was one of the four members of "What's Up!". With the band, he reached number five and sixteen with two of their singles. In August 2009, Eric signed a contract with Roxy Recordings, where he would be going solo. In December 2009, he released his first worldwide single, "Sleepless", reaching number 44 in the Swedish Charts. In 2010, it was announced that he would be taking part in Melodifestivalen, with the song "Manboy". He won his semi-final, and got a place in the Globen. In the final, he came 3rd, just being beaten by Salem Al Fakir and Anna Bergendahl.

In 2011, it was announced that he would be participating in the National Selection again, with the song "Popular". With no suprise, he won his semi-final, and in the final he was the hot favourite to win the show. He proved everyone right, and became the Swedish representative for the ESC 2011.

"Popular" was written and composed by Fredrik Kempe. He also wrote previous Swedish entries, including "Hero" and "La Voix".

Current Betting Odds (William Hill) - 10/1
My Prediction - Its a catchy tune, but I think Eric needs to do some serious vocal work before May. This will definitely qualify, top ten

                            Lycka till!!

Who are the favourites so far??

After a few weeks of knowing all of the participating songs in this years Eurovision, betting agents and Eurovision websites have been quick to reveal who they think has the winning formula to win this year.

Amaury Vassili, the
French
Representative

        

 
William Hill (A UK bookmaker) favours France to win, with the UK, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Sweden and Germany close behind. They also predict FYR Macedonia, Malta and Portugal being at the bottom. A prediction that I don't think will be far wrong!!

Eurovision fan site, The Eurovision Times, favour Estonia to be the front runner, with Amaury Vassili from France in a close second. Eric Saade of Sweden is in third with the UK in a steady fourth with boyband, Blue. Last years winner Lena, completes the top 5.

Estonian, Getter Jaani, is
one of the favourites on
ESC Nation 

ESC Nation, has a poll running for each country to award points to others, in the traditional Eurovision fashion. Since the poll opened a few weeks ago, the top three have not yet changed, with Kati Wolfe, Eric Saade and Getter Jaani, from Hungary, Sweden and Estonia respectively, changing from positions 1 to 3. The UK are in fourth with Germany and France battling it out for the 5th place.

 


ESC Today have their tradtional "Big Poll". Here is whats predicted by the European public, as to which ten countries will make it through to the final.

Semi-final 1 (participants in alphabetical order)

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Russia & Turkey

Semi-final 2 (participants in alphabetical order)

Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Israel, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden & The Netherlands


So do these predictions match what you think will happen?

Stay tuned for Croatia's profile blog, later today.