Six weeks of slayage are about to come to an end. On March 9 Sweden’s much-ballyhooed Eurovision selection Melodifestivalen reaches its grand climax.

Twelve acts will sing it out for a spot in Tel Aviv…and the coins that come with a chart-topping, Spotify-streaming hit. There’s a lot to play for and we now who will sing when in the final in Stockholm’s Friends Arena.

Melodifestivalen 2019 running order

1. Jon Henrik Fjällgren — “Norrsken”

2. Lisa Ajax — “Torn”

3. Mohombi — “Hello”

4. Lina Hedlund — “Victorious”

5. Bishara — “On My Own”

6. Anna Bergendahl — “Ashes to Ashes”

7. Nano — “Chasing Rivers”

8. Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO — “Hold You”

9. Malou Prytz — “I Do Me”

10. John Lundvik — “Too Late for Love:”

11. Wiktoria — “Not With Me”

12. Arvingarna — “I Do”

Fans frequently say that performing in the latter half is a boost to one’s chances — you’re said to stick in the minds of televoters just before they enter the voting segment.

That seems to be good news for bookies’ favourite John Lundvik. The “Too Late for Love” singer performs 10th in the running order. You’ll surely remember that Frans performed in the same position in 2016, before going on to place fifth at Eurovision.

Of course, you could make a similar argument for Wiktoria. She’ll be getting very wet — with her on-stage rain shower — in eleventh position. Last year Benjamin Ingrosso took the crown performing in the same position.

The latter half theory isn’t a guarantee of anything though. In 2017 Robin Bengtsson sang fourth. And in 2015 Måns Zelmerlöw sang sixth before winning Melfest and Eurovision.

Do you think the running order gives anything away about producers’ favourites? Do you think it will actually impact the results in any meaningful way? Or does the best song always win? Let us know down below!

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Russian Mafia
5 years ago

Jon Henrik is just trying to copy Austria from last year. Sweden seems to have lost its originality these days. Russia will dominate Eurovision as the superpower and will win every year.

diana
diana
5 years ago

Just wanna say that Mendez started as no.1 last year and he as the third favorite in the televotes, so it’s not over for Jon Henrik! But i’ll agree with the most here and say that it’s literally open for John Lundvik to win this. Fine by me tbh And also I have noticed that Wiktoria and Lisa Ajax have competed the same three years and theyve had almost the exact running order all these times; In 2016 Lisa Ajax performed 2nd while Wiktoria performed 11th, in 2017 Lisa performed 3rd while Wiktoria had the 10th spot and this year… Read more »

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
5 years ago

If Sweden actually want to win this year, then the only chance they have is John Lundvik. This isn’t about whether you like the song, but whether it will do well at Eurovision.

Wiktoria isn’t in the hunt to win. It’s between John and Hanna and Liamoo. Anna Bergendahl maybe the dark horse.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

I think it’s always more important to like the song. I would never want a song I didn’t like to be the winner.

Katitam
Katitam
5 years ago

I really want Anna, I love her with all my heart. I know that is almost impossible, but her song it’s so beautiful…

Anna, if you read this (?): I love you! I hope to see you again on ESC this time or another, but I will always want it!

My second option is Nano. I don’t feel the other songs, maybe are not my type.

User
User
5 years ago

The best part is that John also is the songwriter for the UK entry. So he will essentially compete against himself.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  User

That’s a little premature, he hasn’t actually won yet…

Jake Dallas
Jake Dallas
5 years ago

In every national final there is a song that everyone knows is going to win and a song that deserves to win. I really don’t get the hype for John Lundvik, it’s not a copy of César y’all but the song isn’t interesting. The rightful winner is Wiktoria. Her flawless vocals and Melfest experience shouldn’t let her down and she’s performing after John Lundvik which people in Sweden have heard recently and have massively elevated it until Wiktoria swoops in. If I was a Melfest juror: 12 points- Wiktoria 10 points- Anna Bergendahl 8 points- Lisa Ajax 7 points- Jon… Read more »

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake Dallas

I’ll just say, I wish you actually were a Melodifestivalen juror. Great picks!

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake Dallas

Wiktoria may deserve it, but I would say that the song itself does not…so for me, it can never be the “rightful” winner. It’s almost cheating to have her sing it, she elevates it so much.

Jake
Jake
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake Dallas

Well done Jake!!

Nicola
Nicola
5 years ago

Wiktoria should win. She has the best song. Upvote if you agree.

Jake
Jake
5 years ago
Reply to  Nicola

We agreee

User
User
5 years ago

John Lundvik will win! For sure

Harvey Dolan
Harvey Dolan
5 years ago

I’m sad about the running order as norrsken is my favourite. He would’nt’ve won anyways but he has no hope now

up!
up!
5 years ago

I have to say that I like the variety in this year’s final. I’m rooting for Anna and my girl Wiktoria… but based on the experiences of the last years, Sweden will root for John Lundvik… and Arvingarna will probably be among the last with the juries and among the first with the televoters…

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Melodifestivalen final is so OPEN this year!!!

Something tells me it’s gonna be between:

Wiktoria
John Lundvik
Mohombi
Liamoo & Hanna Ferm

I am sure jury’s winner will be Lundvik, but televote I would say Wiktoria???

We will find out on Saturday

Best from Spain

Miracle romania
Miracle romania
5 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

Wiktoria Will not win the televote. She does not have the ”buzz” needed do to so here in sweden. I think the televote is between John, Liamoo/Hanna and Bishara

Erik
Erik
5 years ago

Seems the seven age groups of the appvotes + the televotes all awards 1-8, 10 & 12 points, just as the eight juries, there is no need to speak about the popular votes favourite. It could differ age between the youngest and the oldest etc. Quite exiting.

Niklas
Niklas
5 years ago
Reply to  Miguel

John Will win the votes and Liamoo the jury – who the winner Will be put of that calculation is Hard to predict.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Euphoria was also performed sixth, as well as Heroes. Maybe a good omen for Anna.

Jake Dallas
Jake Dallas
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Hmmmm….. would you have said that for Anton Hagman in 2017 who then tanked to the BOTTOM 3.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Jake Dallas

Yes.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

Running orders says it’s likely between Wiktoria and John Lundvik, which is both fine by me. I’d prefer Wiktoria, but John’s song would still dance circles around their last two, so I’ll be okay if he wins too. A very pleasant surprise would be Anna Bergendahl, but what are the chances?

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

We’re on the same page, Colin. Wiktoria and John have the best packages, Anna the best song. Any of them would make me happy. I like Lisa too, but I assume she has no chance by now.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Exactly the same here too. I suppose I don’t need to comment here any more when you both do my job for me so well. 😀

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Anna is now number one on Svensktoppen…that has to count for something, right?

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Nah. Svensktoppen is mostly voted by older people. It’s more accurate to follow Spotify. And guess whos first there? Papa John!

Rantik
Rantik
5 years ago

I wanna finally see a girl from Sweden, but Lundvik is really the best act in the final, I hope he wins on saturday. I love Wiktoria so much and I believe that she will represent Sweden once, but unfortunately, she has almost no chance of winning this time 🙁

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

Can you imagine if there’s a crazy upset – everyone focusing on John Lundvik and Wiktoria and then out of nowhere Malou Prytz wins the whole thing!! Can you just imagine!!

Dani
Dani
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

I hope so she is my favourite 🙂

BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
5 years ago
Reply to  Dani

Malou Prytz 4 the win, her song is so fresh

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
5 years ago

Stage directors/choreographers for the competing acts
Sasha Jean Baptiste (Fuego, Beautiful Mess) & Lotta Furubäck: Not With Me, Norrsken, Victorious, Torn, I Do
Zain Odelstål (Dance You Off, I Can’t Go On) & Dennis Brochner: Too Late For Love, Hold You, Ashes to Ashes
Benke Rydman (Heroes): Hello
Mari Ryberger (If I Were Sorry): Chasing Rivers
Jennie Widegren (Every Single Day): On My Own
Ace Wilder (Busy Doin’ Nothin’) & Jonna Hökengren: I Do Me

Juy
Juy
5 years ago

Torn??? Sasha Jean Baptiste did nothing to her staging. It’s all dark with light.

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago
Reply to  Juy

Let’s be honest, dark and light is basically Baptiste MO, give it or take it

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Juy

Right, that was an artistic decision. Staging doesn’t mean choreography.

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago

My heart says Mohombi, but my guts say Wiktoria will win. She’s been due since 2016 (how close I was of have 4/5 of Two’s set that year), Sweden needs a bit of a change from the last couple of years and she could pull it off.

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

Some artists always perform late (Wiktoria or Benjamin) while others always perform early (Lisa or Jon). Björkman must know why XD
That said, juries will decide this as usual so running order is not a big deal I guess.

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago

Hanna & Liamoo, Anna or Wiktoria to win!

Robert
Robert
5 years ago

Lundvik FTW

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago

Oh man, John Lundvik is really gonna win, isn’t he? I’m sorry to say this, but ,except for Bishara’s and maybe Malou’s song, there’s not a single one in this final I like less than John’s. But I seem to be in the minority here, so let him win I guess. I’m rooting for Lisa, Mohombi, Jon Henrik and Wiktoria.

Mikaela
Mikaela
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

I agree. Its so bland. This will probably be the second year in a row that I don’t support the song we’re sending

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Mikaela

Interesting enough this would be the first time since 2016 I completely support our entry.

Juy
Juy
5 years ago
Reply to  Mikaela

It’s a heavy choir-based version of UK.

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

For me John Lundvik is César from Austria 2018 – 2.0
I think it will be ” fight” between John Lundvik/Bishara and Mohombi ….
My favourites are – Jon Henrik Fjallgren, Lisa Ajax, Wiktoria, Mohombi, Anna Bergendahl och Nano
I dont liké Liamo and Hana ( its nice song but not for me sorry + Arvingarna, Lena and Malou is just ok – not winning

Grftn
Grftn
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

I totally agree. So bland 🙁

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

He’s bigger than us. (Pun-tastic!)

PP77
PP77
5 years ago

Jon is out. SVT want to John or Wiktoria to win. Interesting to slowly song open show not uptempo. And why 2 uptempo song get 3,4 spot in draw. SVT don t want to Mohobi have chance for win,and ruin chance for good placement for Linda .

Dan
Dan
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

As William points out in the article, we Swedes vote for what we like irrespective of running order!

BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
5 years ago
Reply to  Dan

so vote for Malou from Växjö

Tom
Tom
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

Well international juries voted always for staging + good songs so I think Bishara have a lot of potencional but its boring ? ….on this case o think Wiktoria/John Lundvik or Mohombi can win ( my personal favourite is Fjallgren and btw Did Charlotte Perreli performed 1 in the final ? In 2008 ?

PP77
PP77
5 years ago
Reply to  Tom

in 2008 voting start with 1st song.

Sandra
Sandra
5 years ago

I think the running order reflects a bit on how Christer Björkman & co think it will go if you compare two songs from the same genre and tempo. But not always. It depends on the songs. They want a good show. They don’t want 5 slow songs in a row and then 5 up-tempo songs in row. They want variation. They want the last song to be an upbeat song that will put everyone in a party mood. and not a dark moody ballad. The want the first one to be a song that the audience likes but not… Read more »

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Here formally apologizing to Queen Wiktoria cuz Pope John is now getting me with his religious beliefs.