The Shortlist (9): Sweden

Who are the big favorites for Stockholm? In the next couple of weeks we will highlight some interesting participants, based on the odds they have been given by the bookmakers. This week we are providing a shortlist of the four countries that lead the board who have automatically qualified to the final. Today’s report is from this year’s host nation, Sweden.

Frans
Frans Jeppsson Wall first gained acclaim at the age of seven when his vocals were used on the football anthem “Who’s da Man”.  Written to celebrate Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović, it remained #1 in the Swedish charts for thirteen weeks.

Since 2008, Frans disappeared from the spotlight until his shock debut at Melodifestivalen 2016. After automatically qualifying through the fourth semi-final, Frans secured victory with 156 points, beating returning participants Oscar Zia and Ace Wilder to represent Sweden in Stockholm. Frans is the second youngest winner of Melodifestivalen at the age of seventeen, the first remaining Carola who was sixteen years old when she performed “Främling”.

After his victory, his entry went #1 in the Swedish charts while also entering the Spotify Viral charts in Switzerland, Taiwan, Iceland, Uruguay, the United Kingdom, Spain, Norway, France, Denmark, Turkey and Germany.

“If I were Sorry”
His song “If I were Sorry” is a chilled, commercial pop track that goes against the stereotypical Swedish-pop production and more towards what is currently gaining radio play in Western society. Lyrically the song represents the antithesis of a love song as Frans explains passive-aggressively all the incredible feats he would do if he were sorry. However, due to his ex being the one to blame for their break-up, he ends the track by stating “but, I’m not sorry, no”. Watch the video clip below!

Explaining the odds
Sweden qualify straight to the final this year thanks to their Eurovision 2015 victory. Partly as a result of SVT stating they are competing to win yet again this year, it has fuelled Sweden’s odds by becoming the bookmaker’s current second to win Eurovision 2016 just behind Russia.

Sweden having the home advantage and the best production team in Europe keeps them as the entry to watch out, currently getting short odds of 4-to-1. This means that if you bet 1€ on Sweden to win the competition again, you get 4€, four times the return if you turn out to be right.