Petter Stordalen defends Marcus and Martinus in Eurovision 2024

Marcus and Martinus (21) are Sweden’s hope in this year’s Eurovision final, which starts on Saturday evening.

The fact that they represent Sweden and not Norway has meant that several people, including Dagbladet’s commentator Ralf Lofstad, have taken jabs at the duo.

– Sweden’s chances are getting smaller

During the review of the first semi-final, Lofstad drew a humorous comparison between the twins and the national traitor Vidkun Quisling.

“And now: The brothers Qui …, excuse Marcus & Martinus”, wrote Lofstad.

Marcus and Martinus reacted to that.

– For example, we are called the “Quisling brothers” and things like that. We think we are way over the line, Martinus told Aftenposten.

– I’m rooting for you

Now they get support from hotel king Petter Stordalen (61), who is a self-proclaimed “Sweden lover”.

– Here sits a Swede in a Norwegian body!, begins Stordalen in a video addressed to the twins on Instagram Story.

– I love Sweden and Sweden loves you. Now you will represent Sweden and therefore – what an honor. I’m rooting for you, all of Strawberry is rooting for you. So, as they say in Swedish: drive hard!

Stordalen owns the hotel chain Strawberry, formerly called Nordic Choice Hotels.

The 61-year-old runs a lot of business in the neighboring country, and is also together with Swedish Märta Elander Wistén (32).

– Intended as a humorous apropos

Ralf Lofstad says that Stordalen has as much right to cheer for the duo as people have the right to react.

Make voice changes

– I am fully aware that artists now and then stand under foreign flags, and Stordalen – and his entire group? – of course has every right to cheer for Sweden’s contribution. Having said that, it can hardly come as a surprise to anyone that Norwegians react when a popular Norwegian duo stands for their arch-rival.

– The amount of reactions he has received after the Quisling reference is minimal – it is Marcus and Martinus who have been responsible for the predominant part, explains Lofstad.

– The wording is intended as a humorous apropos to the significant public reactions to them participating for Sweden; characteristics such as treason and failing us in the worst way have been rampant for weeks, and then it would be almost ignorant of us not to give the debate a kick.

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– The vast majority of readers seem to have taken the point, but I note that it has not struck a chord with everyone, including the artists themselves. I don’t know the reason for that – perhaps it is difficult to pick up currents in the Norwegian public from the other side of the border?

The twins have previously stated to See and hear that they greatly appreciate the opportunity to represent Sweden.

– It’s fantastic fun. We do this to be able to be on stage, which we love to do. It is great to be able to represent such a big country and to be able to stand on such a big stage, they said at the time.

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