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Society

Teen idol and metalhead claim final spots

Published: 24 Feb 13 10:00 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/46368/20130224/

Heartthrob Ulrik Munther and hard rocker Ralf Gyllenhammar are going straight to the Melodifestivalen final after claiming the last two places in the competition in Malmö.

The 19-year-old Munther had been a favourite with the oddsmakers. He took to stage without his signature hat on, performing the pop ballad Tell The World I'm Here - a song which he has described as a "bombastic rock tune".

"It's crazy nice and fun and it was so fun standing there singing and it felt really good," a thrilled Munther told Sveriges Television (SVT) after the show.

Munther is not new to the competition, having ended third in last year's final with his song Soldiers. He is also a previous winner of Lilla Melodifestivalen - the junior version of the competition which is open to 12- to 15-year-olds.

The other winner of the final Melodifestivalen heat in Malmö was the 46-year-old moustachioed hard rock singer and TV competition veteran Ralf Gyllenhammar.

He performed the loud rock ballad Bed On Fire in a number that ended with Gyllenhammar's white grand piano going up in flames.

Commenting on his win, a euphoric Gyllenhamar said it felt "liberating".

"It is wonderful, but it is also a bit sad for those who lost so one feels a bit guilty," he said and added that he envies artists Behrang Miri and Robin Stjernberg who will get to perform again after making it through to the "Second Chance" playoff.

The winners of the previous three heats are Yohio, David Lindgren, Sean Banan, Louise Hoffsten, State of Drama and Ravaillacz.

They, along with Ulrik Munther Ralf Gyllenhammar, will go straight to grand finale in Stockholm's Friends Arena on March 9th.

The international Eurovision final will take place in Malmö in May.

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18:21 February 24, 2013 by StockholmSam
Ralf was god-awful. I cannot believe people voted him through. The girl Therese was far better, imo, and probably would have a better music career if she could somehow erase this Melodifestivalen junk from her résumé.
20:45 February 24, 2013 by Greysuede
To sing in English is a proof that your own's language is rubbish!
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