While the Danes and Swedes are waiting to name their “Melodi Grand Prix” finalists, we have heard from them what they think of the Norwegian winner. Last night, nine Norwegian participants were on stage, but it was Gåte who came away with the victory and secured the golden ticket to the international final, the Eurovision Song Contest. Sweden’s Torbjörn Ek, who is an MGP expert for Aftonbladet, is confident in his case about the Norwegian winner: – Gåte is the right winner! Thank you to the people of Norway for putting the international jury in place and voting for the best entry in this year’s MGP, he says. Ek further emphasizes that, for once, Norway has not chosen to vote for the great crowd’s delight, but instead an exciting musical appeal which he believes can be successful both with the jury and the TV viewers in Malmö in May. – This can be dangerous. We still don’t know what we in Sweden will vote for in the final, but Gåte had beaten all six artists who entered Saturday’s Melodifestivalen sub-competition anyway, he answers in a funny way. Torbjørn Ek is a journalist at Aftonbladet. Photo: Tiril Mettesdatter Solvang / news – Brave choice Ole Tøpholm is a Danish journalist, radio host and MGP enthusiast. Among other things, he has been Denmark’s commentator at the Eurovision Song Contest. The Dane followed the Norwegian final yesterday, and thus also caught the nerve-wracking vote. – “Ulveham” is a brave choice. The song embraces Nordic mysticism. It is Norwegian history in a modern setting, he says. – There are good conditions for Norway to do well in Eurovision this year. Personally, I think that Norway can get a top position with this song, he adds. Ole Tøpholm is a Danish journalist, radio host and melodi grand prix enthusiast. Photo: Hege Bakken Riise / news Irresponsible to withdraw Both before and after the final, Gåte stated that they must make some assessments regarding Eurovision participation. Last night, MGP’s music director Stig Karlsen would neither confirm nor deny participation in Eurovision, but pointed out that it was something he would return to later. Tøpholm believes it must be up to the broadcasters to decide whether to withdraw or not. He further believes that it would be irresponsible for news to withdraw from Eurovision. – If Gåte chooses not to participate in Malmö, news should pass the baton on to KEiiNO, he concludes. This year, the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmö, Sweden. Norway will play in the second semi-final on Thursday 9 May. At the moment, Gåte is in 8th place on the odds.
ttn-69
This is what our neighboring countries think of the Eurovision entry – news Culture and entertainment
