Iceland, the only Nordic nation that is yet to win a Eurovision title, will select their representative on Saturday as the finals of Söngvakeppnin 2013 commence at the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík.  After a pair of Semifinals held last weekend whittled the 12 competitors down (and shockingly eliminated previous ESC runner-up Yohanna as well as fan favorite Erna Hrönn), we’ll see the nation’s seven remaining hopefuls battle it out for the coveted ticket to Sweden. 

In their running order, the seven Finalists are:

• Magni Ásgeirsson- “Ekki líta undan”
• Knútur Kristinsson & Hreindís Ylva Garðarsdóttir Hólm- “Lífið snýst”
• Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson- “Ég á líf”
• Birgitta Haukdal- “Meðal andanna”
• Jógvan Hansen & Stefanía Svavarsdóttir- “Til þín”
• Haraldur Reynisson- “Vinátta”
• Unnur Eggertsdóttir- “Ég syng!”

There are quite a few familiar names among this roster.  Birgitta Haukdal had the honor of representing Iceland back in 2003 with “Open Your Heart“, coming in 8th place.  Magni Ásgeirsson, known to Americans from his participation in the 2006 reality show “Rock Star: Supernova“, has entered Söngvakeppnin numerous times, coming as high as second place in 2011.  Jógvan Hansen, a native of the Faroe Islands, was the winner of Iceland’s first season of “The X Factor” and competed in the National Final in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

There are quite a few Eurovision veterans among the songwriters this year, as well.  “Ekki líta undan” was composed by Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson, composer of Iceland’s entries in 2004 and 2007.  “Ég á Líf” is a work by Örlygur Smári (composer of the country’s 2008 and 2010 entries) and Pétur Örn Guðmundsson, a talented performer who also sang backing vocals in 2000, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012, as well as entering Söngvakeppnin on numerous occasions as a lead performer.  Working with Birgtta Haukdal on “Meðal andanna” is Jonas Gladnikoff, composer of Ireland’s songs for 2009 and 2010, as well as Michael James Down and Primoz Poglajen, who have many National Final compositions between them.

So, will this year’s winner be a familiar face, or a newcomer?  Only time will tell!  The show will be streamed live at RUV’s website starting at 20:40 CET.