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EUROVISION

Sweden’s Loreen emerges as frontrunner in Eurovision Grand Final

The 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is set to conclude on Saturday, May 13th. Swedish participant Loreen has qualified to the Grand Final and is currently the favourite to win Sweden’s record-equalling seventh victory.

Singer Loreen
Singer Loreen representing Sweden performs during the first semi-final of the 2023 Eurovision Song contest at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, northern England, on May 9th, 2023. Photo by: Paul ELLIS / AFP

This favourite status has befitted Loreen ever since journalists first saw her three-minute performance at Melodifestivalen, Sweden’s selection show for Eurovision that concluded in March. The odds for Loreen currently see her trading around 1.5, making her one of the shortest-priced favourites in Eurovision history.

After Loreen qualified from Tuesday’s Semi Final her entry ‘Tattoo’ streamed over one million times in one day, placing it clear as the only Eurovision song to hit the global Spotify charts this week.

It would be historic for Loreen to win the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday. Firstly it would mean Sweden would equal Ireland for having seven years of the Eurovision Song Contest. This would bring the competition to Sweden fifty years since their first victory with the world-famous ABBA.

Furthermore, this would also be Loreen’s second victory after she won the 2012 edition in Baku, making her the first female artist with two victories.

The odds for success suggest Loreen is likely to bring the trophy home, but still, there are 25 other songs that are competing for victory. The nearest challenger is the rap artist Käärijä from Finland. His rap/pop hybrid song ’Cha Cha Cha’ is a crowd-pleasing number that produces one of the most crazy parties on stage that Eurovision has ever seen.

Two other competitors likely to challenge include Spanish modern flamenco singer Blanca Paloma with an incredibly enchanting voice and last year’s winners Ukraine. The band TVORCHI bring the song ‘Heart of Steel’ to Liverpool, which took inspiration from the Ukrainian army’s resistance in defending the Azovstal Steel Plant.

On Saturday night viewers can watch the show from 21:00 CET on SVT 1, and also vote for their favourite entry. The voting at Eurovision is decided roughly half by professional juries and then half by the voting public, and should conclude at around 00:50 CET on Sunday morning.

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ECONOMY

How much did Stockholm actually make off Taylor Swift’s concerts?

She came, she saw, she conquered – and left the Swedish capital with extra dough in its coffers.

How much did Stockholm actually make off Taylor Swift's concerts?

Swift’s three gigs in Stockholm in May gave the capital’s economy a boost, reports broadcaster TV4.

Her visit generated 848 million kronor (roughly $81 million) in tourism revenue, according to analysts Upplevelseinstitutet on behalf of Stockholm City Council, resulting in an extra 431 million kronor in tax revenue.

A total of 131,000 tourists descended on Stockholm for Swift’s concerts, and spent their money on hotel rooms, restaurant visits and entertainment.

“The figures are very positive for Stockholm, for the tourism industry, for our restaurants, hotels, shopping. Having Taylor Swift’s three concerts in Stockholm means a lot,” said Stockholm mayor Karin Wanngård.

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