Special - The Schlagerboys interview | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

They live in Birmingham, UK but the want to be Swedish. They love Schlager and are not ashamed to admit it, they have even dedicated their entire blog to it and its representatives from all over Europe. They are the creators of one of the most popular, original and regularly updated Eurovision Song Contest blogs. Meet the Schlagerboys!

Let's start with an overview. You recently celebrated the second anniversary of your blog which has become very popular among fans. How did it all begin? Why did you decide to join the blogosphere?

The Schlagerboys were born on the day of the first Melodifestivalen heat in 2005. Shirley and Alcazar were in it. We wrote an article for Popjustice all about how very exciting it all was and how convinced we were that Alcazar would win it and that Shirley would be in the final too... It was a very disappointing year for us when Martin Stenmarck ended up going to Kyiv. He didn't even have a key change.

You have taken the Eurofan image to another level, with the blog and your cult appearances "on location" at the contest every year. What's Eurovision to you?

Glitter, glamour, frocks, key changes, drama, dance routines. Oh, and songs too.

It has to be schlager and there has to be a key change, right? When were you first diagnosed with this chronic case of acute schlageritis?

When Dame Kirsten Siggaard took to the stage with Hot Eyes in 1984 with Det Lige Det. The memory of her pushing Soren in the swimming pool in the preview video was a seminal moment in one of the Schlagerboys' lives. For the other (who's just that little bit older....) it was the sight of Steven Fischer doing it on all fours with Sally-Anne Triplett in 1982...

Is there any hope of recovery, ever?

Who wants recovery?

What are your first Eurovision experiences and your most memorable moment?

We've been going to Eurovision together since 2002. It's always exciting to meet artists and song-writers we've raved about for 6 months. Thomas G:Son was fabulous when we met him in Athens, and Gerard James Borg absolutely understood what we were about. It was fabulous to be taken backstage at the Oslo Spektrum to interview Jenny Jenssen earlier this year while she had her hair and make-up done. She was almost as excited as us.

We also managed to stalk Olivia Lewis all the way through 2007 and it was unbelievable to be waving our T-shirts around with her on stage on live TV when we went to Malta in the summer.

It's great when artists understand where we're coming from and don't take themselves or Eurovision too seriously. Nanne Gronvall was a huge disappointment, but it was still a highlight to meet her.

Who is your all time favourite artist and song?

Obviously Det lige det by Hot Eyes (although Corrina May's I can't live without music comes a close second - but not the live version!)

Who would you like to see representing the UK next year?

Same Difference, of course. Or Jane McDonald. Or Claire from Steps. Or all of them together singing a Lord Thomas of G:Son schlager stomper. Or we'll do it if the BBC are desperate.

How about your beloved Sweden?

We thought Norway was the new Sweden, but now we've heard who the artists are for the first two semi-finals we're not so sure. We're still hoping for a Jenny Jenssen comeback.

The problem with Sweden is that they can't be relied upon anymore, what with Martin Stenmarck and The Ark. They tend to vote good schlager songs into the final and then forget about them (see Kikki and Anna Book). We're looking forward to Christer Sjogren coming 9th in the final this year, but we've got high hopes for Charlotte Perrelli.

Have you written your letter to Santa this year? What did you wish for?

We did write to Santa and asked for Shirley Clamp to come back to schlager... she hasn't yet but we have faith.

What do you have to wish your fellow Eurofans for the New Year (calendar and Eurovision)

A schlagertastic year with lots of key changes! How completely fabulous!