The first finalist of San Marino’s first ever national final has been selected, and it’s no other than Finland’s Emma Sandström, who finished in third place in this year’s Finnish Eurovision selection Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu with “Circle Of Light”!

The first finalist was chosen by a vote of OGAE members from Germany, United Kingdom, Malta, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Hungary, the rest of the world, and of international press. After all the votes have been received and counted, Emma Sandström came out as the winner, 2 points ahead of Franklin Calleja from Malta who finished second, and 15 points ahead of Sada Vidoo who finished third.

In her application, Emma Sandström submitted a cover version of Andra Day’s “Rise Up”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIWN50ONeuA

You can check the full announcement, with all the votes right here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0T7b4tR8Mc

The second finalist will be selected in the online vote on 1 in 360’s official website, so you can go and cast your vote for your favorite artist.

San Marino’s national final with 10 artists is going to start in January, and the final night will be held at some point in February.