The Swedish pop group ABBA performs the hit "Waterloo" at Eurovision 1974, held in Brighton in the UK. The group's victory inspired a long-lasting Swedish love affair with the competition -- and the annual "Melodifestivalen" national song contest through which the Swedish Eurovision entry is chosen.
ABBA win Eurovision 1974 —
The Swedish pop group ABBA performs the hit "Waterloo" at Eurovision 1974, held in Brighton in the UK. The group's victory inspired a long-lasting Swedish love affair with the competition -- and the annual "Melodifestivalen" national song contest through which the Swedish Eurovision entry is chosen.
Ola Salo, lead singer of Swedish glam rock act The Ark performs the song "The Worrying Kind" at Eurovision 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. Despite having had four albums top the charts in their homeland, and being a favorite with the bookies, the band finished in 18th place.
Sweden's The Ark at Eurovision 2007 —
Ola Salo, lead singer of Swedish glam rock act The Ark performs the song "The Worrying Kind" at Eurovision 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. Despite having had four albums top the charts in their homeland, and being a favorite with the bookies, the band finished in 18th place.
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One of Sweden's most popular female singers, Charlotte Nilsson won Eurovision 1999 in Jersualem with the song "Take Me To Heaven." She is pictured here performing as Charlotte Perrelli in Eurovision 2008, held in Belgrade, Serbia. Despite being tipped to repeat her earlier success, she finished 18th.
Charlotte Perrelli at Eurovision 2008 —
One of Sweden's most popular female singers, Charlotte Nilsson won Eurovision 1999 in Jersualem with the song "Take Me To Heaven." She is pictured here performing as Charlotte Perrelli in Eurovision 2008, held in Belgrade, Serbia. Despite being tipped to repeat her earlier success, she finished 18th.
Eric Saade, who was spotted by talent scouts at the tender age of 13, came third in Eurovision 2011, held in Dusseldorf, Germany, with his song "Popular." It was one of 18 occasions that acts from Sweden -- one of the best-performing nations at Eurovision -- have placed in the top 5.
Eric Saade places third at Eurovision 2011 —
Eric Saade, who was spotted by talent scouts at the tender age of 13, came third in Eurovision 2011, held in Dusseldorf, Germany, with his song "Popular." It was one of 18 occasions that acts from Sweden -- one of the best-performing nations at Eurovision -- have placed in the top 5.
Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Dedicated Swedish fans attend the finals of Eurovision 2006 in Athens, Greece, the year that Swedish singer Carola Haggkvist finished fifth. Sweden has won Eurovision four times, a record beaten only by Ireland (seven), France and the UK (five apiece). The Netherlands has also had four wins.
Swedish Eurovision fans in 2006 —
Dedicated Swedish fans attend the finals of Eurovision 2006 in Athens, Greece, the year that Swedish singer Carola Haggkvist finished fifth. Sweden has won Eurovision four times, a record beaten only by Ireland (seven), France and the UK (five apiece). The Netherlands has also had four wins.
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Sweden's entry this year, Loreen, was the bookies' favorite with "Euphoria" and she duly delivered.
Loreen top at Eurovision 2012 —
Sweden's entry this year, Loreen, was the bookies' favorite with "Euphoria" and she duly delivered.
Carl-Johan S?der