We Are the Heroes: Mans Zelmerlow Wins 60th EUROVISION at Vienna 2015

Sixth win in ESC for Sweden, first since Loreen "Euphoria" at Baku 2012. 

Voting was not fixed. Sorry Polina apologetists. 

Vienna 2015, 60th ESC 40 For 40: Mans Zelmerlow "Heroes"

Only three more reviews left for Vienna 2015, including two more from next Thursday's second semifinal. Up next is Mans Zelmerlow (pictured) with "Heroes" (Sweden).

"Heroes" is a great atmospheric tune, a house tune, with good melody and flow. Voice too. He is this year's winner of Melodifestivalen. He will no doubt qualify for next Saturday's grand final. We will see come next Thursday as he performs in the second semifinal. Another good contender to win it all. Good luck.

Up next: Melanie Rene "Time To Shine"

Copenhagen 2014 Reviews: Sanna Nielsen "Undo"

After seven appearances in the Melodifestivalen, Sanna Nielsen (pictured) will finally represent Sweden in ESC. And in Copenhagen, she will sing "Undo."

"Undo" is a ballad that is all the way soft. Vocals are okay, typical of mainstream pop. It is an okay track. She will perform in the first semifinal next Tuesday. However, since the first semifinal will be the toughest of the two semifinals and anyone of those fifteen can advance, she might not make it to the grand final on Saturday. For some reason.

Sweden has been an integral part of the ESC for five decades. When it comes to Sweden in the ESC, you should know that the best entry is Loreen Talhaoui "Euphoria," the 2012 winner. Second most points ever in an ESC grand final. The second best ESC entry for Sweden in my opinion: Roger Pontare with "When Spirits Are Calling My Name," from 2000 (contest took place in Stockholm that year), in which he excited the crowd in the grand final. Also some other great ESC entries from Sweden that come to mind: Afro-Dite "Never Let It Go" (2002), Tomas Ledin "Just Nu!" (1980) & Bjorn Skifs "Fangad I En Drom" (1981). Some of the best ever for Sweden in the history of the event. This song might not be up there, but it is reasonable.

Up next: Sebalter "Hunter of Stars."

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Sweden

30 days remaining until the opening ceremonies (29 until the first day of competition) at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Sweden.

Sweden made their winter Olympics debut at Chamonix 1924, and has appeared at every winter Olympics game since. The Swedish contingent in the winter games have won 129 medals, including 48 gold medals.

Cross country skier Thomas Wassberg (pictured) is one of the most successful winter Olympians for Sweden, as he was one of three who have won four gold medals in the winter games for that country. He won the 15km at Lake Placid 1980, followed up by the 50km win at Sarajevo 1984, and also a gold as a member of the 4x10km relay team at Sarajevo as well as Calgary 1988. Sixten Jernberg also won four gold medals in the winter games, and just like Wassberg, he also was a cross country skier. He won the 30km at Squaw Valley 1960, and also won the 50km at Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 and Innsbruck 1964. He was also a 4x10km gold winning team member, also at Innsbruck 1964. The other four-time gold medalist for Sweden in the winter games was Gunde Svan. Svan--another cross country skier--won the 15km at Sarajevo 1984, as well as the 50km at Calgary 1988. He was also a gold medal member of the 4x10km relay team at Sarajevo and Calgary.

Speed skater Tomas Gustafson (pictured) is one of two Swedes to win three gold medals in the winter games. Gustafson won the 5000m at Sarajevo 1984 and Calgary 1988, and also won the 10000m at Calgary. Figure skater Gillis Grafstrom also won three gold medals for Sweden in the winter games, as he won the men's singles at Chamonix 1924 and St. Moritz 1928. He also won gold in the singles at Antwerp 1920, when figure skating was on the summer Olympics program.

Cross country skier Marcus Hellner (pictured) is among seven Swedes who have won two gold medals in the winter games. Hellner won the 30km skiathon and was a member of the 4x10km relay team that won gold, both at Vancouver 2010. He joins six others who have won twice in the winter games for Sweden:

• Martin Lundstrom, cross country, men, 18km and 4x10km relay team member, St. Moritz 1948
• Toini Gustafsson, cross country, women, 5km and 10km, Grenoble 1968
• Ingemar Stenmark, Alpine, men, giant slalom and slalom, Lake Placid 1980
• Jan Ottosson, cross country, men, 4x10km relay team member, Sarajevo 1948 and Calgary 1988
• Pernilla Wiberg, Alpine, women, giant slalom, Albertville 1992 and combined, Lillehammer 1994
• Bjorn Lind, cross country, men, sprint and team sprint, Turin 2006

Men's ice hockey won gold twice in the winter games. Their first win was over Canada in the final at Lillehammer 1994. Their other was in the final in their victory over Finland at Turin 2006.

Women's curling won gold twice in the winter games. Their first win was against Switzerland in the final at Turin 2006. At Vancouver 2010, they followed up with another gold win in the final against Canada.

For Sochi, 93 quota spots available for Sweden, including men's and women's ice hockey and curling, as well as speed skating, cross country and biathlon among others.

Up next: Switzerland

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Robin Stjernberg "You"

Being the representative of the host country of an ESC is tough. You have to be an ambassador for the competition, and represent not just the host country, but every other competitor. And in that case, it is Robin Stjernberg who will try to do just that for Sweden.

Sweden, which won at Baku 2012, is the host country and Stjernberg's "You" is just another typical pop piece. Take a listen:

To me, this has to be one of the worst songs for a grand final-only ESC nation within the last few years. I don't think this spells win or top ten placement on May 18.

Also, "Euphoria" by Loreen Talhaoui, the winning song from Baku 2012 was heaps better. Hell, anything from Talhaoui's debut album Heal is heaps better than this.

So that does it for the 'big six' reviews.

Up next: a review of Heilsarmee (or Takasa) "You and Me."

EUROVISION LVIII Update: Who's Headed to Malmo, So Far?

Finally some credible hip hop at ESC this year as Who See? has been personally handpicked by the Montenegrin ESC committee to represent their country at Malmo in May. This past year, I underestimated the Trackshittaz (AUT), but now this is an upgrade. Rap doesn't get a whole love from those who follow the competition, so it will be a huge challenge.

Who See? joins six others who have either qualified for or handpicked to represent their countries at ESC LVIII:

Who See? (MNE) "Reggaeton Montenegro!"
Alyona Lanskaya (BLR) "Rhythm of Love"
Anouk (NED) TBA
Heilsarmee (SUI) "You and Me"
El Sueno de Morfeo (ESP) TBA
Andrius Pojavis (ESP) "Something"
Roberto Bellarosa (BEL) "Love Kills"
Four nations who were in Baku back in May, as of now have withdrawn: Slovakia, Portugal, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Turkey.

As the months progress, stay with this blog for more ESC updates. The Road to Malmo is NOW!

Your 2012 EUROVISION Song Contest Winner!

This is Loreen with "Euphoria"!

For the record, Engelbert Humperdinck finished 25th in overall voting. 

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Sweden

74 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Sweden (SWE).

Sweden has participated in the summer Olympics since the first modern day Olympics of 1896. A total of 489 medals have been won by Swedish athletes in the summer games, including 143 gold medals.

Gert Fredriksson (pictured) has the most number of individual gold medals among Swedish Olympians in the summer games (40 multiple gold medalists) at six. The canoeist won in the men's 1000m kayak singles (canoeing) at London 1948, as well as Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956. He also won in the men's 10000m kayak singles (canoeing) at London 1948 and at Melbourne 1956. His final gold medal was at Rome 1960 when he won gold in the men's 1000m kayak doubles (canoeing).

Javelin thrower Eric Lemming (pictured) is tied for second among Swedish summer Olympians with individual gold medals at four. Lemming won the men's javelin throw (athletics) at Athens 1906 and at London 1908. He also won the men's javelin throw at London 1908 and at Stockholm 1912.

The other four-time gold medalist for Sweden is Henri St. Cyr, as the equestrian rider won both in the individual and team mixed dressage at both Helsinki 1952 and in the Stockholm Equestrian games of 1956.

Eight Swedish athletes have three gold medals in the summer games:

• Oscar Swahn (shooting)
• Daniel Norling (equestrianism, gymnastics)
• Alfred Swahn (shooting)
• Vilhelm Carlberg (shooting)
• Gillis Grafstrom (figure skating (1920 only), plus two in the 1924 winter games)
• Carl Westergren (wrestling)
• Ivar Johansson (wrestling)
• Agneta Andersson (canoeing)

29 Swedes won two gold medals in the summer games. Too many to name.

Although no gold medals at Beijing 2008, their most recent gold medal was at Athens 2004, when Carolina Kluft (pictured) won gold in the women's heptathlon (athletics).

At the team level, the men's football (soccer) team defeated Yugoslavia in the final to win gold at London 1948.

As of now, Swedish athletes will compete in 19 events. 113 selected, though 144 have qualified in the following events: athletics, boxing, cycling, equestrian, judo, swimming, taekwondo, triathlon and wrestling. Women's football (soccer), and men's and women's handball  have also qualified for the London games as well.

Sweden was the host country for the 1912 summer games and the 1956 equestrian games (Stockholm).

Up next: Switzerland

Friendly Jersey Swap...

Remember the 1999 Women's World Cup final where after her winning goal on penalty kicks to win the World Cup for the US, Brandi Chastain took her jersey off showing her sports bra? We'll the sports bra is once again in the news, but 12 years later and this time again, it's in the Women's World Cup!

Watch as Jodie Oqvist and a German fan exchange jerseys after a match and you'll see why.

DISCLAIMER: Contains Sean Paul Henriquez music. Watch at your own risk.

Too bad ZDF blurred it out for no apparent reason. Where were they in July 1999 when Chastain scored the winning PK against China? Argh.