It was uncertain in the end, but in the end it was Birkir who was the winner - despite the fact that he had problems with his neck during the week and therefore has not been able to repeat much.

- I have learned so much - not least a new language.

It is a dream that has come true, he says when the news that he is the winner of this year's "Idol" has sunk in.

About his final opponent Jacqline Mossberg Mounkassa he says:

- She is a fantastic artist and well worth winning, I actually thought she would do it.

Host Pär Lernström states that an "Idol" final has never been so even and that it makes Jacqline an "incredibly worthy second prize winner".

- I feel so proud of the trip and am so happy about what I have done and shown.

I just feel grateful right now for what I have been a part of.

Now it's just up here, she says.

East praise

Neither of the two finalists had planned to apply for "Idol" - and both were voted out by the viewers already in the qualifying week - but since the Friday finals started, the jury has praised them both.

23-year-old Jacqline Mossberg Mounkassa from Stockholm and 21-year-old Birkir Blær, who recently moved to Gothenburg from the Icelandic city of Akureyri, have been compared to world artists such as Beyonce and Ed Sheeran.

"Run eight"

Toughest "Idol" night ever, said Pär Lernström before the finalists entered the stage.

The first final song has the participants to choose for themselves and while Birkir invested in a power ballad, Jacqline went all in with dancers and rap.

First out was Birkir with Adele's "All I Ask".

- You drive eight around most of those who set foot here in the Globe, said Anders Bagge.

Jacqline Mossberg Mounkassa took on "Industry baby" by Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow and rapped, according to her own statement, for the first time.

- If you only understand how difficult this song is, said Kishti Tomita.

- Many criteria must be met for someone to become a world artist.

Check in the box on everything, said Anders Bagge.

World artist

The second song was what in the "Idol" context is usually called a "brilliant number", where the jury chose the songs.

Of course, Birkir did not miss that opportunity with James Brown's "It's a man's man's world".

That Jacqline, who sang "God is a woman" by Ariana Grande, will conquer the world, the jury agreed - and almost fought to be on that train.

But it will thus be Birkir Blær who gets to release the winning song "Weightless" - and also perform at next year's edition of the music festival Lollapalooza in Stockholm.