Fifty years ago, in 1957, Swedish Television, Swedish Radio (SR) back then, sent their first commentator, Nils Linnman, to cover the second ever Eurovision Song Contest in Frankfurt am Main. Sweden had chosen not to take part that year, but broadcasting the Grand Prix Eurovision, as it was known back then, was the first step of Sweden's long and glorious history in Eurovision.
In 2008 in Serbia, Sweden participates for the 48th time in its history in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country stands a serious chance to qualify for the Grand Final, as it has a long tradition in the Contest and many experienced performers. Although fans in a great number of West European countries protested agains the East-European dominated next edition of the Contest, it was 2007 Swedish entrants The Ark who said that participating in the Semifinal is not that bad after all: it gives you the chance to be seen twice instead of once if performing only on the Grand Final, the singers said. Whoever SVT choose, we know that they will defend Sweden's reputation in the Contest. Good luck!